Hollywood Producers Eye Spanish Co-Productions at Summit

The landscape of international film and television production is continually evolving, with countries offering compelling incentives and unique locales to attract major projects. In a significant move highlighting this trend, esteemed Hollywood producers Mark Vahradian, known for the blockbuster ‘Transformers’ franchise, and Andrew Lazar, producer of the critically acclaimed ‘American Sniper,’ recently journeyed to Spain. Their attendance at Zeta Studios’ inaugural Creative Summit signals a clear interest in forging co-production partnerships, leveraging Spain’s growing appeal as a global production hub.

Zeta Studios’ Inaugural Creative Summit: A Bridge to Hollywood

Conceived and orchestrated by Jon Kanak, Zeta Studios’ representative in Hollywood, the inaugural Creative Summit aimed to establish a crucial strategic bridge between the dynamic Spanish production industry and top-tier Hollywood talent. The event brought together a cohort of leading producers, including Mark Vahradian and Andrew Lazar, alongside Craig Flores (‘Crawl’) and Ben Everard (‘Yes Day’), to explore the abundant opportunities Spain presents for international co-productions. The primary objective was to showcase Zeta Studios’ creative prowess and highlight Spain’s robust tax and logistical incentives, which are increasingly drawing global attention.

During their visit, the Hollywood delegation engaged in discussions with various institutions in Madrid and explored prominent production facilities. These included a tour of the Canary Islands and the extensive Ciudad de la Luz studios in Alicante, providing a firsthand look at the diverse capabilities and stunning backdrops Spain offers for filmmaking.

Spain’s Growing Allure for International Co-Productions

Spain has strategically positioned itself as a highly attractive destination for film and television production, a fact underscored by the participation of industry heavyweights like ‘Transformers’ Exec Producer Mark Vahradian and ‘American Sniper’ Producer Andrew Lazar. The country boasts a combination of generous tax incentives, state-of-the-art facilities, skilled crews, and an incredible variety of locations, from historical cities to diverse natural landscapes. These factors collectively create an environment ripe for high-quality international co-productions.

Jon Kanak emphasized Zeta Studios’ standing as one of Europe’s most dynamic companies, responsible for successful series such as “Elite” and “Olympo” on Netflix, and “When No One Sees Us” on HBO Max. He articulated that the summit was designed to channel this momentum into fruitful partnerships with leading U.S. producers, demonstrating Spain’s comprehensive appeal as a world-class production hub.

Producer Perspectives on Spain’s Potential

Mark Vahradian, a veteran producer behind the massive ‘Transformers’ franchise, shared his positive outlook on Spain’s production capabilities. He stated, “Zeta is proof that Spain has a powerful production hub creating content that competes on an international level. With strong leadership, the company leverages Spain’s diverse locations and tax incentives to develop a constantly expanding slate. This approach establishes Zeta as a production company with true global reach.” This sentiment highlights the confidence Hollywood executives are placing in Spain’s ability to deliver high-caliber projects for a global audience.

Zeta Studios’ Expanding Global Reach

Zeta Studios is not merely waiting for international partners to arrive; it has actively been expanding its global footprint. The company has already established a presence in Latin America, securing deals with Wattpad Webtoon Studios to develop Spanish-language web novellas, starting with an adaptation of Ariana Godoy’s “Follow My Voice.” Furthermore, Zeta has partnered with Brazil’s Conspiração to create “Bajo presión,” a Spanish-language adaptation of the popular Globo drama “Under Pressure.”

The studio has a strong track record of producing original content for a variety of platforms, including “García!” for HBO Max, “Olympo” for Netflix, “Días mejores” for Prime Video, “La vida breve” for Movistar Plus+, and “Red Flags” for Atresplayer. This diverse portfolio demonstrates Zeta Studios’ versatility and capacity to deliver compelling narratives across different genres and for various audiences. In 2023, further solidifying its international ambitions, Zeta Studios appointed Marcelo Tamburri as its head of international content, based in Mexico City.

Emerging Partnerships and Future Projects

The Creative Summit has already yielded tangible results, with Zeta Studios announcing that multiple projects and partnerships have emerged from the event and are slated for official announcements in the near future. This outcome signifies a bold new phase in Zeta Studios’ international expansion strategy.

Antonio Asensio, CEO of Zeta Studios, underscored the company’s deep commitment to international collaboration, stating, “With this first Creative Summit, we reaffirm our dedication to positioning Zeta Studios as a natural bridge between the U.S. and Europe. Spain offers exceptional creative talent, unique locations and competitive incentives that place us in a privileged position. As a company, we’ve proven we can compete on a global scale – and now, by partnering with Hollywood, we’re establishing ourselves as one of the leading players in international production.”

Looking ahead, Zeta Studios has several projects in various stages of production, including “Leo & Lou,” the debut feature from director Carlos Solano; “La maleta,” an action-comedy co-produced with Telecinco Cinema; and “The Secrets of the Courtesana,” a new period series set in 18th-century Spain, destined for Netflix.

Conclusion

The convergence of Hollywood powerhouses like ‘Transformers’ Exec Producer Mark Vahradian and ‘American Sniper’ Producer Andrew Lazar with Spain’s burgeoning production scene, exemplified by Zeta Studios, marks a pivotal moment for global entertainment. This pursuit of co-productions reflects a strategic alignment where Hollywood seeks to capitalize on Spain’s attractive incentives and rich creative resources, while Spanish studios gain access to broader international distribution and larger-scale projects. The inaugural Creative Summit serves as a testament to the increasing globalization of content creation, promising a future filled with diverse and impactful collaborations that will undoubtedly captivate audiences worldwide.