Laura Abril ViacomCBS
ViacomCBS Studios International Spain is focusing on an expansion strategy of genres such as animation, true crime, entertainment with various realities for MTV. “We are going to see a great variety of genres, I am focusing on genres in Spanish, but soon we will see in Asia, Italy, a large volume of productions,” said Laura Abril, Head of ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS) EMEA, Asia and Spain, during her participation in Iberseries Platino Industria.
The studio has already produced 3,500 hours. “We are one of the studios that makes more productions in Spanish, supported by the synergies we have (Diagonal, Z Films, Morena Films). In addition, as our platforms and channels grow, we will have more alliances and partnerships and more capacity to adapt to find the best talent and content,” she said.
One of VIS Spain recent projects, La Novia Gitana, a crime thriller, has all the travel capabilities, even if it is very local and focused on Madrid, said Abril. Paco Cabezas is the showrunner who will provide a tone and narrative that will appeal to any nationality. “La Novia Gitana is a best-seller, a trilogy that has been sold in several countries.”
Among the works for third parties, she referred to Historias para no Dormir, which will premiere in a few days on Amazon Prime Video and TVE; Cuidado Con lo que Deseas, a Christmas and family film which debuts in movie theaters and on Amazon, and Días Mejores.
“We are betting a lot on development and a key point there is diversity, making sure that there is always a focus of diversity. In Spain, 30% of our focus is on projects with diversity.” She mentioned the case of Un Sueño Real, about the Real Madrid women’s soccer club (Grupo El Tacón).
