Markets

As part of the European Film Market (EFM) held in Berlin this week (February 13-19, 2025), the Showcase Spanish Thrillers event took place, organized by Berlinale Series Market in collaboration with Iberseries & Platino Industria and ICEX Spain Trade and Investment, under the Audiovisual from Spain brand. This initiative is part of an ongoing partnership between Iberseries & Platino Industria and Berlinale Series Market, strengthening the collaboration between the European Film Market and the largest audiovisual and cinematic industry event in Ibero-America. The goal is to position and consolidate Spanish-language content on a global scale.

Elisa Carbonell, CEO of ICEX, opened the session by emphasizing Spain’s significant participation in this edition of the EFM as Country in Focus, an acknowledgment of the country’s growing international presence in the audiovisual sector. She also highlighted the importance of the three-year alliance between Iberseries & Platino Industria and Berlinale Series Market, which has facilitated numerous joint initiatives aimed at promoting Spanish-language series internationally.

The Spanish Thrillers panel, moderated by John Hopewell, International Features Editor at Variety, featured a compelling discussion on the rise and global impact of Spanish thrillers. The session showcased Internal Affairs (Mediacrest Entertainment, RTVE) and Shades (Secuoya Studios, StellarMedia, SkyShowtime, Beta Film), two highly anticipated series that exemplify the genre’s strength and originality.

The panel brought together key industry figures, including Cristian Liarte, Global Business Development Director at Mediacrest; José Pastor, Head of Cinema and Fiction at RTVE; María García-Castrillón, Head of Co-Productions at Secuoya Studios; and Sergio Cánovas, showrunner, director, and partner at StellarMedia. Together, they highlighted the international potential of Spanish thrillers and the elements that set them apart in an increasingly competitive market.

As noted at the beginning of the discussion, according to Ampere Analysis, crime and thriller series account for 25% of commissioned scripts—more than any other television genre. Additionally, Ampere’s data shows that the number of original SVOD series commissioned in Spain grew from 43 in 2023 to 75 in 2024, demonstrating the increasing presence of Spanish-language content across platforms and distribution channels.

Within the crime thriller genre, the challenge lies in delivering originality and crafting compelling narratives that captivate audiences. The panelists discussed what makes each project unique and how Spanish thrillers are standing out in the global marketplace. As the industry continues to evolve, Spain's expertise in the genre positions it as a powerhouse in international storytelling, with innovative and high-quality productions reaching audiences worldwide.