As a woman who has carved out a successful career in the audiovisual industry, I can attest to the challenges and triumphs that come with working in a field still dominated by men. It’s been an exhilarating journey, one filled with obstacles but also opportunities for growth and learning.
Laura Fernández Espeso, who assumed the role of CEO at The Mediapro Studio (TMS) in 2020, has propelled the Iberian giant onto the global stage. Today, the company boasts 52 offices spread across 31 nations, and this summer marked its entry into the United States and Canada. “We’ve expanded our presence with new offices in Los Angeles, following operations in Miami and New York over recent years,” she notes, explaining that TMS US & Canada aligns with our mission to create, produce, and distribute content in English, targeting audiences worldwide.
To date, TMS has contributed to English-language productions like “The Young Pope” and “The New Pope,” both limited series directed by Paolo Sorrentino for HBO/Max. Additionally, they have worked on Nicolas Winding Refn’s family adventure series titled “The Famous Five,” which is set to air on the BBC. Their portfolio also includes films such as “A Perfect Day,” “Hunting Ava Bravo,” and Mike Leigh’s “Hard Truths.
Indie films were where Fernández Espeso first made her mark in the film industry over two decades ago. She reminisces about having collaborated with esteemed directors such as Francis Ford Coppola, Danis Tanovic, Ken Loach, Juan José Campanella, and others. “This opportunity,” she says, “set me on a course that would later materialize and ignited my passion for working with international talent and productions of diverse origins.
Originally from a village close to Zamora in western Spain, Fernández Espeso’s professional journey has led her through various cities across Europe (London, Brussels, and Madrid) as well as Los Angeles, and now back to Madrid where she is shaping TMS’ worldwide strategy. At MIPCOM, she will reveal the complete lineup of TMS’ English-language content and deliver a Media Mastermind keynote speech on her strategies to replicate TMS’ Spanish success (accounting for approximately a quarter of primetime TV programming in Spain according to their estimates) on a much larger global market for English-language content.
Among the influential women recognized by The Hollywood Reporter in their 2024 list of International TV powerhouses, Fernández Espeso graciously shared insights about her transformative journey from independent film producer to a global media titan with The Reporter. She discussed how The Mediapro Studio is strategically positioning itself to dominate the international scene.
What was your first job in the business?
For approximately two decades now, I’ve been involved in the independent film industry. During this time, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with distinguished global directors such as Francis Ford Coppola, Danis Tanovic, Ken Loach, and Juan José Campanella, plus many more. This collaboration ignited my passion for working with diverse international talents and productions from various backgrounds.
Initially, I was fortunate enough to reside and work beyond my home country, Spain. My first stint took place in Brussels, followed by Los Angeles. Subsequent stages of my life brought encounters with various locations such as the United Kingdom and Latin America – specifically Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico. These diverse experiences have significantly contributed to my personal growth as well as my professional development.
What was the biggest professional challenge you faced this past year?
To broaden our operations across the U.S., we’ve established new branches, including one in Los Angeles, following our presence in Miami and New York City over recent years.
Mediapro Studio US & Canada serves our purpose of generating, filming, and disseminating content in English, aiming for global viewers. It’s been an honor to collaborate with seasoned professionals such as Juan ‘JC’ Acosta and other executive team members who bring rich backgrounds. We’re excited to unveil some strong domestic projects at MIPCOM soon.
What do you see as your biggest achievement of the past year?
As a gamer, I’m thrilled to share that we’re about to unveil some exciting content! It’s going to include series, movies, documentaries, and unique entertainment formats. We’ve managed to rope in top-tier talent from North America, both actors and creators, to be a part of this venture. This year alone, we launched “The 47”, a film that has dominated the Spanish box office for three weeks straight and is poised to become the biggest Spanish film release of the year.
Moving on to cinema news, we’ve recently returned from the San Sebastián International Film Festival. At this event, we showcased Mike Leigh’s film “Hard Truths” in the main section, a production that has garnered positive responses not only here but also at the Toronto Film Festival where it was displayed in early September. In addition to “Hard Truths”, we premiered “Celeste”, a series co-produced with Movistar Plus, which will be launched on their platform in November. To top it off, we are thrilled to have been nominated for an International Emmy Award for the second year running, this time for “Yosi, The Regretful Spy”.
Here at our studio, we’re thrilled to announce the integration of Fresco Film, a renowned international fiction production company with an impressive portfolio that includes blockbusters like “Game of Thrones,” “House of the Dragon,” “Westworld,” “The Blacklist,” “Killing Eve,” “Narcos: Mexico,” the latest series “Kaos,” and films such as “Uncharted,” “Terminator: Dark Fate,” “Spider-Man: Far from Home,” and Guy Ritchie’s latest production, “The Covenant.” Their extensive catalog also includes numerous other titles.
This year, Cimarron’s significant growth has been quite remarkable, with notable milestones such as the Academy Award-nominated film “Society of the Snow”, the Platino Award-winning series “Barrabrava”, and the upcoming Ben Affleck and Matt Damon production “Kiss of Spider Woman”.
What needs to be done to improve equality and diversity within the industry?
Over the last ten years, we’ve achieved substantial advancements; however, it’s crucial that the worldwide audiovisual sector persists in promoting gender diversity in leadership roles and fostering equal opportunities. We must consistently uphold and safeguard diversity. Film and television are potent tools for shaping political and cultural icons, and unfortunately, the depiction of what is “different” has not always been handled with care. It’s our job to carefully consider the tales we decide to share and who contributes to their creation – as writers, directors, actors, or producers.
At Group Mediapro, we’re committed to fostering a vibrant diversity committee that spearheads engaging projects. Its role is twofold: championing women’s talents and educating about the significance of functional, generational, cultural, and gender diversity. We all need to remain proactive in offering chances and contributing. The Studio boasts impressive statistics on equality, and we’ve successfully recruited exceptional women to head our divisions. However, this is a journey that requires collective effort, whether on or off-screen.
Can you tell me about the most significant obstacle faced as a woman in an industry that’s predominantly male?
For the past 15 years, I’ve had the fortunate experience of working in an environment similar to Mediapro, which has consistently provided me with the support needed for my professional development. However, it’s undeniable that our industry remains predominantly male-led, and there is still much work to be done to achieve greater gender balance.
What current industry trend do you hope to soon see the back of?
Over the past few years, we’ve noticed many transformations and observed the birth of innovative methods for engaging audiences. The field is progressing rapidly. It can be quite a daunting task to generate groundbreaking content that sets new standards, which is what we strive for as innovators – not just to keep pace with trends, but to help shape them.
What advice would you give young women just entering the industry?
Strive diligently, seek knowledge, continue educating yourself, and extend courtesy whenever possible to your peers, your field, and all aspects of it. The greater effort you put forth, the more noticeable you’ll be, and eventually, more chances for growth and advancement will come your way.
What show, currently on air, would you love to have made?
[Netflix’s] Ripley.
What do you watch for pleasure?
Priscilla, There Is Still Tomorrow, Past Lives.
What do you do to unwind?
I enjoy reading books, listening to tunes, spending quality time with my child, taking strolls in nature, going on trips, and savoring different cuisines.
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2024-10-22 16:25