News

Latin America’s Movistar, Onza Seal Four Series World Sales Deal
Latin America’s Movistar, Onza Seal Four Series World Sales Deal
13 JUL 2020

Latin America’s Movistar, a label of telecom giant Telefonica, has closed a worldwide sales deal with Madrid-based Onza Distribution on the first four Movistar original series.

The deal excludes Latin America where Movistar has aired the series on Movistar Play, the burgeoning OTT services of pay TV unit Movistar TV, from September 2019. Onza Distribution will present the series virtually at MipChina, which runs July 28-31.

Representing the latest work of some of Latin America’s best-regarded film directors, who have won prizes at the Cannes, Sundance, Locarno and San Sebastian film festivals, the series take in comedies “Adulting,” “Capital Roar” and “Survival Guide,” and melodrama “My Lucky Day.”

The deal represents a major new fiction addition to the sales slate of Onza Distribution, a producer on Amazon Prime Video-aired “Little Coincidences” and a producer and co-sales agent on Spanish pubcaster RTVE’s “The Department of Time.”

"Colouring the world", the initiative that brings colour and positivism into Spanish homes
13 APR 2020

Believing that art and culture can inspire people to achieve a better world, the artist Okuda San Miguel and his Ink and Movement team created the "Colouring the World" initiative.

In these days of confinement, "Colouring the World" is launching several special actions that, in addition to entertaining people in their homes, help raising funds for the Spanish Red Cross.

From next Wednesday, April 8th, Okuda San Miguel, will make available to everyone the documentary "Equilibri" in Filmin. The documentary, which will be open to all subscribers of the digital platform, can also be viewed by everyone after payment of 2.95 euros. The money collected during the confinement period, both by the distributor Onza and by the co-producers - A Punt Mèdia, Docu Producciones and Ink and Movement - and Okuda, will be donating everything to the campaing "Red Cross Responds"

The documentary "Equilibri", directed by Batiste Miguel about the whole process of creation, design and assembly of the falla that Okuda designed in 2018 together with the fallas masters Latorre and Sanz. A falla that, as with every project of this multidisciplinary artist, surprised by its originality, color and for condensing many elements of his particular imagination.

But how did the idea of creating a falla come about? How does an urban artist manage to give shape to an ephemeral sculpture of more than 25 meters? More than 5,000 kilometres travelled between Madrid and Valencia, around 700 paint boats, 10 assistants and many hours of work in one year are revealed in this unique documentary. For Okuda, "this work was a milestone in my biography, without a doubt, since the Falla Mayor has been my largest sculpture to date".

In a situation like the current one, where the great Valencian festival have been cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis, Okuda wants to share the memory of his experience in Fallas with the public to make the confinement more bearable.

https://www.filmin.es/pelicula/equilibri-by-okuda-san-miguel

This action is added to the one that the Cantabrian artist has launched these days for the younguest: a series of masks that the artist has designed especially for them. With this initiative, besides the children enjoying coloring, playing and taking pictures with them, you have the opportunity to make a donation to the Red Cross through Okuda's profile on Instagram (@okudart). You can find the designs at this link: (https://cutt.ly/utWujs6)

From today, the Port Authority of Santander, El Diario Montañés and Ink and Movement "Coloreando Cantabria" (https://coloreandocantabria.eldiariomontanes.es/) are launching a call for drawings in which children are invited to send their drawings to the newspaper. The newspaper will publish these special artistic creations week by week and those selected will be part of an exhibition together with drawings by Okuda San Miguel.

 

Daniel, Diego Vega on Movistar’s ‘My Lucky Day’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Daniel, Diego Vega on Movistar’s ‘My Lucky Day’ (EXCLUSIVE)
03 APR 2020

BUENOS AIRES  —  “My Lucky Day” begins with Hector Lavoe – or it looks like him – dressed in white suit, putting on a ring, and dark glasses, as he prepares to dance. Cut to Lavoe’s white shoes, cracked and grimed as the camera pulls back to an establishing shot of the figure in wha looks like a hospital and a credit establishes that this is a psychiatric hospital in Nuevo Callao district of Lima in 1986 Peru.

The figure is indeed not Lavoe but Toño, a downbeat Lavoe impersonator who moonlights singing at locales in Nuevo Callao, including the hospital where his sister is interned, suffering severe depression.

By day, however, he’s a head-bowed, lowly professor helping for students to cram for university entrance exams, living in his grimy family flat, abandoned by his girlfriend who’s emigrating to Spain, unable to sell sacks of sugar piled in his home, suffering a down-trodden Peru of  hyper-inflation.

Toño believes, however, that his luck must change, and sees as sign the arrival in Perú of the real Hector Lavoe, booked to perform at four Feria del Hogar concerts.

Bowing Nov. on Movistar in Latin America and Movistar+ in Spain, “My Lucky Day” was hailed by Peru’s website La Prensa as “the most important audiovisual production ever made in Perú.”

“For me, it was key that the first series [Movistar] made in Peru aimed at the international market was really unique, from both an artistic and technical point of view,” said “My Lucky Day” showrunner Joanna Lombardi, Movistar head of fiction Latin America, Telefonica Media Networks.

She added: “It was the first big opportunity to make the industry look towards Peru, to discover it as a potential market for the development of big productions. We’ve made a series which takes risks, which does not underestimate audiences, and which is working very well. Nothing could make us happier.”

Movistar’s second Original Series in Latin America, it is directed by arguably the country best-known upscale auteurs, Daniel and Diego Vega, after breaking out with their first feature, “October,” a Cannes Un Certain Regard winner. Written by another lauded filmmaker, Hector Gálvez (“NN” ) and Diego Vega, who also co-wrote “Matar al Padre” for Movistar+ in Spain, the series’ international distribution is now being negotiated.

The series’ title, and indeed spirit, is taken from one of Lavoe’s most famous songs, which runs, “Soon it will come, my lucky day, I know that before I die, my luck will surely change.” Toño believes that, but almost everybody in the series believes that too – a punk band which signs the lyrics as a protest sing, even Lavoe, rich and famous ,and it seems the Aztecs, according to one of Toño’s history classes.

Constantly contrasting fantasy and reality, “My Lucky Day” delivers a comedic but mordant comment on Peru in 1986 and indeed, of the modern day and the eternal optimism of the downtrodden human spirit. Daniel and Diego Vega fielded questions from Variety after Ep. 1 bowed on Movistar and Movistar Plus in Spain.

Almost everybody in the series dreams their lives will change. That of course is a comment on their dissatisfaction with current circumstance, a Peru and Latin America where people can’t live out their dreams. Could you comment?

Especially the time when the series is set, when there was that feeling of dissatisfaction, daily desperation, when Peru was living through really terrible times: Terrorism, shortage, hyperinflation. Beyond the situation in the country though, I think it’s very human to feel the need for your life to change, for something to happen to improve things around you. I think anyone can identify with that.

Diego Vega: That’s true: Several characters are trying to change their lives, and for different reasons. In Peru and Latin America today, in 2019, those characters resonate with us. Although the context is different, and more than thirty years have gone by. Dissatisfaction still very much defines us, which is good, because it forces you to act. If we don’t act, we’re dead.

Series these days must trap spectators fro  the first few minutes. One of ‘My Lucky Day’s’’aims in Ep. 1 seems to set up multiple questions, which generate suspense: Can Toño’s life really change? If so, is it just for one day? And can he pass it on – help others as well, as the singer promises in Lavoe’s original song.

Daniel Vega: Though it might sound obvious, the most important thing about any series is making sure viewers are left eager to see what’s going to happen in the following episode. I think “My Luck Day” does that; apart from the fact that it’s a real quality series. At the end of each episode, you’re dying to know what’s going to happen next, not only with Toño, but also where the story’s heading. That’s the interesting thing, why it’s got to be told. And as for Toño, I think he’s thinking only about himself, not about whether he’s going to be able to help others. That doesn’t make him a bad person. That seems perfectly human to me. The question you do ask though is, once his luck changes, because that’s where the series goes, is he going to help others?  And you’re going to have to watch the series to find that out [laughs]

Diego Vega:  The viewer gets hooked because he sees a man obsessed with something good happening to him, and that’s nice because that’s happened to us all. I always hear people around me say “if you think it, it’s going to happen to you”. The mind is a very strong force. The title of the series gives a clear clue: It already gives away that this man’s luck is going to change, the song says it. It then becomes all about discovering how his fate will change while we discover the world Toño takes us through, that world of Lima in 1986.

The series has been acclaimed by La Prensa in Peru as “the most important audiovisual production ever made in Perú.” How do you see it breaking with past productions?

In fact, it’s the second series in Peru made outside traditional audiovisual television [parameters]. And that’s very important for the Peruvian market. Not only because there’s a foreign eye bringing quality to Peruvian productions (which also brings with it the possibility of foreign productions being shot in the country), but also because of the type of series that was done. It’s a risk. The platform has gone for a very different kind of content, something very different from what could be expected of a national production. That’s thanks to Joanna [Lombardi] and the top brass executives she roped into the project.  

Diego Vega: It’s very important for the Peruvian audiovisual industry that a platform as big as Movistar decided to do a project like “My Lucky Day” Bear in mind that unlike Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Colombia, other big platforms have never financed a project revolving around a Peruvian story and Peruvian talent. When this happens for the first time, it’s good news, and it’s always because someone decides to vouch for it.

What were your guidelines when directing the series?

Daniel Vega: We wanted to make a series rooted in stark realism, showing clearly the era and the situation in the country at that time; but we also wanted something irreverent, frenzied, full of humor, with a tone that made you think about something mad, that spoke of something very human, that many people could identify with. The script written by Diego and Hector was already riddled with references from “Underground,” by Emir Kusturica and “The Day of the Beast,” by Alex de la Iglesia. That was the tone they were after, and the entire team worked towards that end. I think the result is very good. And, on top of that, it was shot like a feature film.

 

Diego Vega:I think the general thrust was also defined by the way in which we chose to deal with the madness of the characters. The tone was pitched in keeping with that. Marina, Toño’s sister, is in a mental institution, but seems more mentally together than Toño. Almost all the characters are lost, and cling desperately to anything. For example, the four students: We decided always to shoot them together as a group, always looking for their teacher, Toño, who’s even more out of it than they are.

 You shot four episodes together of “El Chapo,” and Diego, you wrote, seven episodes of the series and co-wrote “Matar al Padre.” What are the attractions for you of drama series, and their challenges? 

Diego Vega: For writing series, I like team work, exchanging points of view, a collective outlook on the story, discovering the world of the series. The challenge for me always is taking good decisions, from all the ideas that crop up along the way, and taking them relatively quickly. With regard to directing the four episodes of “El Chapo,” apart from the challenge of shooting action scenes and traveling to another country to become part of a big team that’s been shooting for months, I was also marked by the experience of constantly treading that dangerous line between shooting an entertainment product and dealing with an issue that had involved so many deaths for so many years. There, I didn’t feel uneasy because the focus brought to the project from the very beginning always carefully took that into account.

Do you see any links or continuity in theme or style between and your films?

Daniel Vega: I feel that it’s a series with a different tone vis-à-vis our films, but I do find similarities and things that make me think about our films. Faith, in many different ways, is present, not necessarily as something religious, but as a need to believe in something, to cling on to something: Sofía in Octubre, Constantino in El Mudo, Bob Montoya in La Bronca. Because, as I was saying before, it’s very human, the idea of believing so you don’t cave in completely. In "My Lucky Day", that notion is clearly visible in Toño. And I think we can also see similarities in the way of shooting. There’s a lot, though it might seem different: the use of a certain type of lens, for example, or certain shots.

Diego Vega:  With regard to directing, I think the tone we sought for the direction of the actors is different from the line we had gone down before. And as for the narrative, though it does have certain points in common, it is different. But there are moments that recall “October”, like when I see Toño seated on the sofa of his living room. During the shoot, I’d look at him and think: “I’ve seen this before.”

What are you working on now?

Daniel and Diego Vega: We’re developing a new film, trying to work out what we want to talk about; that’s a long process, often not found in the writing – rather in other phases. In a way, it’s also got to do with faith. We’re condemned… ha ha ha ha! We hope to have a script in early 2020. We’ve also got a project that’s got Ibermedia funding, “Panza de Burro,” an omnibus filM, where we’re working with directors such as Joanna Lombardi, Javier Fuentes, Rosario García-Montero, Gianfranco Quattrini, Diego and yours truly. And, finally, we’re thinking of ideas for a series.

Berlinale Series Market: Mauricio Leiva Cock Talks Movistar Original ‘Capital Roar’
Berlinale Series Market: Mauricio Leiva Cock Talks Movistar Original ‘Capital Roar’
25 FEB 2020

BERLIN —  Slowly but surely, Madrid-based Telefonica’s original production drive is building on the other side of the Atlantic. The first Latin American series to be seen in Europe is “Capital Roar” a Colombian six-episode series, a coming of age story that follows a group of misfit teenagers as they battle to form a rock band during the fraught period of 1990s Bogota. A show that lightheartedly manages to explore those strange years of adolescence as they unspool against a very real, very tough historical background.

The series is produced with Fidelio, an Colombian production company who has Mauricio Leiva Cock as its inhouse  showrunner, a filmmaker who before his debut feature premieres has already worked as co creator of “Green Frontier” for Netflix, head writer on “Falco” for Amazon, TNT and  Telemundo, and a writer on “Wild District,” again for Netflix, among others. Co directing with Argentina’s Ana Katz and Uruguay’s Pablo Stoll, Leiva Cock stands out as part of a new generation of Latin American showrunners, a figure that has taken some time to consolidate in the region.

This new production continues Movistar’s tradition of betting on and endorsing strong talents. As Joanna Lombardi,  Movistar head of fiction, Latin America, says: “More than a year ago at Movistar we took a big step towards the production of fiction content in Latin America and we are very excited about the great results we have obtained. ‘Capital Roar’ our first Colombian series, has talent from different countries and reinforces our intention to strengthen the Latin American audiovisual industry.” Variety talked with Leiva in the build-up to the premiere of the show at Berlinale Series Market on Monday Feb. 24.

Could you comment on the writing process of a six-episode series and how you’ve structured its plot threads?

We were telling the story of a boy who does not belong, his life takes a dramatic turn and he enters a new school. Where although he feels he does not belong, he feels recognized in the group of those who do not belong. And we wrote the band as the central point of the series, music or art as catharsis against the perhaps violent situations that these young people were living. To me in terms of format and length six episodes of 30’ was great. Even if we follow the scheme of coming of age narrative, and we were inspired by some British and North American coming-of-age series like “Inbetweeners.” we tried to avoid the predictable beats that people would expect and in a Colombian way give it our own twist. With a more softened melodrama, of punk teenagers.

 

The intro to the series gives a brief portrait of Bogota in the ‘90s, and without a doubt the historical context surrounding these teenagers plays an important role in the story….

This is a story I wanted to tell for several years. I grew up in Bogotá at that time, very close to the age to these boys. The subject of memory has always been very important to me. I remember the attack on the Mall of 93rd Street struck me a lot. My mother had her office very close and I saw the news being very small and that news like I was marked. Somehow the serious talk of how one in that adolescence perceived those acts of violence that were so close and at the same time so alien. During the writing process, each episode includes a historical moment from our adolescence in Colombia at that time, from 1992 to 1995 or thereabouts and we tried to capture those moments that most impacted us, even if it was a 5-0 win against Argentina that was a moment of national happiness though a medicine that did not cure what was happening in the country. It is not a series about violence but how it affects young people who were growing up at that time.

In the sound design the series seems to maintain television codes but at the same time there is a drum and a trumpet that enter chaotically and give another tone to the series. Where did this idea come from?

This was something we talked a lot with Pablo and Ana. From the beginning I wanted the sound of the series to represent each of the characters. The drummer being Gabo, the trumpet Sebas, Vale the guitar, Porra with all that he plays. And that the music will change scene by scene depending on who is leading the scene. Then when Simon enters the new school, an improvisation is heard, half jazz, half rocker, as he explores himself. It is the first time that he knows what his friends and his band will be, but at first he doesn’t succeed. So what we did was compose a final song and after built it into noises and sounds. Almost all the music is interwoven and the sound is interwoven for that final song. A deconstruction of that final song and what they are experiencing until they reach that first song they compose together. We try to generate a narrative that joins in music and sound.

How has been your experience with Movistar? 

I feel we have been lucky. I have worked with Netflix, with Amazon and now with Apple and the relationships have been very positive. I think that Movistar took a lot of risks with “Capital Roar” because it has a very independent feel. The relationship was very fluid, they came on board very early. I had the idea and the characters outlined There was an interest from the beginning to bring an international perspective to the series, not to make it just a Colombian narrative, which obviously is in part: I am very close to the material, it is a little inspired by the adolescence of my brother’s friends, of mine, very much of my circle and I wanted someone to look at it without the prejudices that we as Colombians carry regarding our own history. The presence of Pablo and Ana was very very positive.

NBC and Universal Studios to adapt Little Coincidences
NBC and Universal Studios to adapt Little Coincidences
24 JAN 2020
  • NBC orders the pilot of Little Coincidences
  • Onza Distribution closes the deal with NBC to adapt the pilot.
  • Coproduced by Onza Entertainment, Atresmedia Studios and Medio Limón and internationally sold by Onza Distribution the second season is available on Amazon Prime Video in several countries

NBC, the US television network creator of 30 Rock and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, has given the green light to the single-camera project Someone Out There, which will be the adaption of Little Coincidences, created by Javier Veiga. Dylan Morgan (The Good Place), Emiliano Calemzuk, Gonzalo Sagardía and Javier Veiga as executive producers.
 
Little Coincidences is a rom-com that reunites the real-life couple, Marta Hazas and Javier Veiga. Marta a 37-year old who just opened a wedding dress store. Javier a 40-year old who is a Michelin Guide Gastronomic critic, both on their own way are hedonists devoted to Carpe Diem, but of course in the snobbish version. So, what unites them? Nothing, because this is a story about a couple whose lives constantly intertwine, they will get on board into a hectic search for finding a couple. But before finding each other, if they do, they will need a few Little Coincidences.
 
Gonzalo Sargadia, Onza’s entertainment executive producer, “we are really glad that NBC has decided to adapt LITTLE COINCIDENCES for the US market. We believe that this is a format that has great international options and has a widely universal concept that is the search for love and the parenthood instinct”. Besides the US, Little Coincidences has also been sold to Russia, Baltics, Finland, France and to Amazon for several territories.
 
Onza Distribution is an international audiovisual content distributor, with a focus on global exploitation. We work intensely in all of the five continents and we have a presence in all of the main international film and tv markets.

LITTLE COINCIDENCES TRAVELS OVERSEAS
LITTLE COINCIDENCES TRAVELS OVERSEAS
21 NOV 2019

The first season of the romantic comedy series continues traveling successfully worldwide as the premiere for its second season on Amazon Prime Video is approaching

Following the last edition of MIPCOM, Onza closes a deal for both seasons acquired by Russian and Baltic countries for Pay TV and VOD. Since its release last year, the series has been picked up by many countries and Onza is currently under negotiations for completing new deals. Moreover, there is great interest in its format and local versions for France and the USA are being prepared among other territories.

Following the first season, Marta and Javi finally end up together after constantly looking for each other. It has been one year since they are having a relationship that has been sort of a honeymoon. But what happened with their parenthood desire? Being parents was a decision they took even before knowing each other.

Now it’s time to face parenthood. Time to form a family and realize that it is not so easy as it was falling in love…Now they will have to think about how to keep their lives being a romantic comedy, now that the violins aren’t playing anymore.

LITTLE COINCIDENCES
LITTLE COINCIDENCES", NOMINATED FOR BEST COMEDY AT SEOUL INTERNATIONAL DRAMA AWARDS
02 AUG 2019

Onza’s romantic comedy nomination proves the high quality of Spanish fiction and how it’s becoming an international referent in the international market.

The series is competing at the 14º edition of this prestigious awards among other comedies like “Fleabag S2”, from the UK, “Most!” from the Check Republic and “Spectrum” from Israel.

Little Coincidences revolves around parenthood and It’s shown from a feminine and masculine point of view under realistic circumstances, which leads to the audience to feel identified with the characters.  

It was premiered exclusively on Amazon Prime video last December and soon on the free-to-air TV channel Atresmedia. The series has been well received across the international market and it’s expected to conquer new territories.

Following the first season success, the second season is currently under production.

 “It’s a good moment for Spanish fiction, the production and demand for Spanish contents is growing and our productions are having great international prestige which is helping us a lot when distributing these contents. Little Coincidences is proving t's great potential for the international market and we expect to reach larges audiences globally” says Jessica Ortiz, manager of the distributor.

ONZA’S
ONZA’S "STANDBY" SELECTED FOR THE WIT FRESH TV AT MIPTV
08 APR 2019

Spanish Onza Entertainment game show "Standby" was selected for The Wit Fresh TV conference for Mipformats Entertainment & game shows.

The Wit Fresh TV sessions are among MIPTV biggest highlights, with the Grand Auditorium full of attendants to see CEO Virginia Mouseler outline the latest shows and formats her team has identified around the world.

"Standby" is the first game show in which in order to win you must be the last one to answer. Without exceeding the time limit, time that contestants won’t be able to see at any point. Never be the first to answer...in Standby, for each second that passes… you win money!

Onza's team will be attending to MIPTV, at stand R7 J11 on the Spanish pavilion  Jessica Ortiz, manager of the distributor company says "We are convinced that "Standby" has all the qualities to become a successful format on the international market. Is a game show that has a unique concept that hooks the audience from the beginning."

ONZA DISTRIBUTION
ONZA DISTRIBUTION "THE PRETENDER" HEADS TO TF1 FRANCE
27 MAR 2019

The Portuguese telenovela from TVI was recently acquired for TF1 France to be streamed every day from April 8.

The genre has been slowly taking its place on the French market with the arrival of worldwide hits from South American. Meanwhile, telenovelas sometimes turn into a social phenomenon in South America or the Middle East, TF1 group has decided to bring the genre up to date with its new content proposal “La vengeance de Veronica”

“The Pretender” or “La vengeance de Veronica” in France, will be installed on the antennas of TF1 and its sister TF1 Series Films. The telenovela will be broadcasted once on the former HD1 at 6:15 and will be rebroadcasted later on the same channel at 12:55. Moreover, it has also been proposed on TF1.

 “The Pretender” will be aired on the daily 10 am schedule, serving as a lead-in to “Fires of love” the American soap that has excellent ratings for the time slot.

International distributor Onza Distribution has reached agreements with broadcasters in new territories including Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Portuguese drama has been in the spotlight lately after the “The Only Woman” was sold in more than 70 countries around the globe and “Payback” was the winner for the international Emmy award, there is a growing interest for this type of content.

ONZA DISTRIBUTION SEALS A 3-FILM DEAL WITH CROATIAN BRODCASTER HRT
ONZA DISTRIBUTION SEALS A 3-FILM DEAL WITH CROATIAN BRODCASTER HRT
04 MAR 2019

Croatian Radio-television has acquired a package of three films to stream on Croatian public television during this coming year.

The package includes the Italian movie “Nine Moons and a Half”, the Portuguese “The Miracle of Fatima” and the Spanish “The Power of Silence”.

“Nine Moons and a half” is a comedy about two with contrasting visions of life, one dreams to become a mother and the other is an adventurous and brave cellist without maternal instinct. With help from one doctor, they decide to do the unthinkable and live a double life in front of their family.

“The Miracle of Fatima” is a religious drama that tells the incredible story of Jacinta, the youngest seer in the apparitions of Fátima. A unique film where the theological dimension of the phenomenon of the apparitions is overtaken by the human dimension of a child touched by the transcendent.

“The power of Silence” is a drama settled in the 1940s and based on Pau Casals life’s, who was considered one of the best musicians of its day. He lives in exile in Prades in France, from where he tries to help republican families in need, while often having to hide from the Gestapo who control the area.

“Onza’s film catalog is on constant growth, expanding from the TV market to films and currently opening to new sales opportunities among the globe,” says Jessica Ortiz, managing director of the distributor.

 

ONZA DISTRIBUTION “THE PRETENDER” EXPANDS INTO NEW TERRITORIES
ONZA DISTRIBUTION “THE PRETENDER” EXPANDS INTO NEW TERRITORIES
13 FEB 2019

The Pretender, the Portuguese telenovela has been sold to a number of new territories including French-speaking Europe and Africa.

The telenovela produced by the leading broadcaster TVI it's opening market around the globe and recently opened the door to LATAM with the deal to the Argentinian Telefé. The title is available in neutral Spanish and French dubbed versions and is expected to travel to more countries.

“The Pretender” was one of the breakthrough titles in 2016 in Portugal returning for a second season in 2017

"Portuguese drama has been in the spotlight lately, with the success of The Only Woman in Africa and South America, there is a growing interest for this type of content across the global market,” says Jessica Ortiz managing director of the distributor. 

"THE PRETENDER" RIGHTS ARE ACQUIRED BY TELEFE
09 JAN 2019

Spanish-based Onza Distribution sells the telenovela ‘The Pretender’ to Argentine broadcaster Telefe.

 ‘The Pretender’ was airing in TVI until the end of last year, proving to be a huge hit in its home market, leading ratings during its airing and a second season following it.

‘The Pretender’ tells the story of the mysterious disappearance of a plane, taking Veronica’s twin sister, a victim of a millionaire scam. Since her sister is presumed dead, Verónica assumes her identity and swears revenge on the businessman’s family. Her main opponent is his wife, Diana. Jaime, Verónica’s nephew, is in the middle of this war. He suffers from cancer and needs to be saved. Also, amid this turmoil is Rodrigo, Diana´s great love in the past, but who the two rivals are fighting for in the present.

Jessica Ortiz, the managing director of Onza Distribution explained “We are now in open negotiations with other countries. ‘The Pretender’ besides being a big production, it has is a great story, with an international concept that will travel very well all-around Latin America”.

Onza Distribution is TVI´s exclusive agent; offering a varied catalog of their productions, standing out the recently Emmys winner ’Payback’ 

“PAYBACK” WINS THE INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARD FOR BEST TELENOVELA
“PAYBACK” WINS THE INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARD FOR BEST TELENOVELA
21 NOV 2018

The Portuguese telenovela “Payback” produced by TVI and distributed worldwide by Onza Distribution wins in the Emmy Award 2018.

Written by Maria Joao Costa and featuring Diogo Morgado and Joana de Verona, this telenovela was competing with the Turkish “Cezur ve Gezel”, “Instanbullu Gelin” and the Mexican “Paquita la del barrio”.

“Payback” was broadcasted by TVI breaking local audience records. Also broadcasted by TVI, “My love” was the first Portuguese telenovela winning an International Emmy Award in 2010.

The 36th edition of the Emmy’s took place on the 19th of November in New York where 11 prizes were awarded at the ceremony.

UNIVISION ACQUIRES SPANISH PRODUCTION DALIA, THE DRESSMAKER TOGETHER WITH A SELECTION OF PORTUGUESE MINI SERIES
UNIVISION ACQUIRES SPANISH PRODUCTION DALIA, THE DRESSMAKER TOGETHER WITH A SELECTION OF PORTUGUESE MINI SERIES
16 AUG 2018

Univision acquired the rights of five Portuguese mini-series and one Spanish.

Dalia the dressmaker” is a four-episode drama set in the 50’s that broke regional audience records. Dalia arrives in Prescedo to find out if the sudden death of her mother was a twist of destiny.  With her sewing machine as sole inheritance, she establishes herself in the village. A story where intrigue and love go hand in hand. 

The Portuguese miniseries are all different, yet exciting and intriguing in its own way. “37” starts with the murder of a university teacher, an enigma that will become more puzzling with each new victim, everyone is a suspect and nobody’s safe. "Happy days" tells the story of Ana and Miguel, who meet each other under tragic circumstances to discover a secret held by their family. Drama, mystery and a love affair hidden for more than 10 years will be leading subjects throughout the episodes. "The Gift" is about a psychologist that possess as a psychist and is exposed by his ex-wife. Humiliated and depressed decides to move back to his hometown, where he will discover his new paranormal talent among other secrets. "Redemption" tells the story of Rogério, a ruthless and successful businessman who climbed his way up by pushing a lot of people down. He decides to take its own life when he realizes he has a “guardian angel” and will try to change and amend his mistake. "Love is a dream" is the story of Lidia, a young woman who doesn't believe in love and lives a stressful life, from her work at a newspaper agency to the social events she attends and the chaos of her own apartment. She makes a mockery of all romantic feelings and constantly dismissing the sentimental stories of her friends.

This selection of mini-series distributed by Onza Distribution will be part of the content of the new SVOD platform of Univision.

 ALJAZEERA ACQUIRES THE WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARY
ALJAZEERA ACQUIRES THE WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARY
31 JAN 2018

Spanish Onza Distribution has sold the wildlife documentary series "Jungle Planet" to the Arabic Aljazeera TV documentary channel

Filmed entirely in 4K and available in 26 episodes. It is a truly visual spectacle that takes place in different ecosystems, giving a new vision of the fauna, the biodiversity and the importance of the forests for preserving the life of the planet.

Jungle planet travels to the most exotic and remote destinations on earth, from the rainforests of Borneo, where the last orangutans live, until the finish taiga where the brown bear hibernates. 12 different countries throughout the globe and 2 years of work are the results of this beautiful documentary.

“GLOBAL CHILD” – THE NEW DOCUMENTARY SERIES HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BY MULTIPLE AIRLINES
“GLOBAL CHILD” – THE NEW DOCUMENTARY SERIES HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BY MULTIPLE AIRLINES
28 SEP 2017

Spanish-based Onza Distribution has sold the new travel documentary series “Global Child” to different airlines around the world such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Iberia, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Delta Airlines, SAS, Thai and Level.

The series is available in 4K and in English and Spanish version. The first season (10x26’) is already completed and the second season (10x45’) will be ready by January 2018. Global Child takes the viewer across Japan, Australia, Sweden, Argentina, New Zealand, Israel, Russia, Peru, Tanzania and US (San Francisco), with ten more destinations coming for the second season.

 “Global Child” is a travel show based around experiences where viewers can get immerse. Ten short tutorials of how to travel and experience the world. Augusto Valverde uses the power of Social Media and top travel sites to connect with millennials through amazing adventures as he explores the world. Each episode is an uplifting life lesson packed with laughter and adventure as Augusto brings back the human element to a genuine travel experience.

THE DEPARTMENT OF TIME CONTINUES TO REAP THE SUCCESS
THE DEPARTMENT OF TIME CONTINUES TO REAP THE SUCCESS
06 MAY 2016

¨The Department of Time¨ remake rights have been sold to China. The time travel drama will be the first Spanish fiction in being adapted to the Asiatic giant market.

 One of the biggest primetime now in its second season, is produced by Cliffhanger TV and Onza Entertainment, and co-created and written by Javier Olivares.

 Series’ format has been already optioned in the U.S. and Latin America. A Portuguese version, produced by outfits Veralia and Inizio Media, has been ordered by pubcaster RTP and will come to light really soon. All these achievements have generated a big interest in the international market and there are other deals coming up from European key territories that will be revealed soon.

Moreover, the series won the bronze medal for Best Drama at the International Television and Film Festival of New york adding a new award to its track record. Previously, it was awarded at the Situan TV Festival with a Gold Panda Award in the category of Best Director.

¨The Department of Time¨ parts from an original premise: There is a secret department since the time of the Catholic Kings, in 15th century Spain, which allows people to travel into the past.

The civil servants working in the department are in charge of watching the time doors, with the aim of preventing any intruder from the past entering in the present – or vice versa – to change the course of history to their own benefit.

¨THE DEPARTMENT OF TIME¨ AND ¨ROMAN ENGINEERING¨ FINALIST AT THE INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION FESTIVAL NEW YORK FILM 2016
¨THE DEPARTMENT OF TIME¨ AND ¨ROMAN ENGINEERING¨ FINALIST AT THE INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION FESTIVAL NEW YORK FILM 2016
01 MAR 2016

The fiction series ¨The Department of Time¨ and the documentary series ¨Roman Engineering¨ are finalists at the International Television Festival New York Film 2016, and the winners will be announced on April 19th in Las Vegas.

 'The Department of Time' is the finalist in the Fiction category. A series of adventures, comedy and drama that has established itself as the Spanish cult series per excellence. The format originality, the production quality and the script make this time travel series a masterpiece.

 The Department of Time is a secret government institution with a primary mission: to prevent anyone from altering the past. Created over 500 years ago, the existence of this department has been carefully hidden by subsequent kings and governments and therefore very few people know of its existence.

Officers at the Department of Time are trusted with the crucial mission of guarding the "gates of time" in order to prevent intruders from travelling through them with the purpose of changing the course of history in their own benefit.

 The documentary series 'Roman Engineering' is the finalist in the arts category. The documentary recreates architectural works and cities of the Ancient Rome in 3D. With the engineering knowledge of the host, Roman Engineering embarks on a dizzying journey through different places where striking works were carried out and prodigious technics were achieved. The documentary will show the methods Romans used to sort the valleys, drill the mountains and transport the water.

 If you need more information about the program do not hesitate to contact us.

onza @onzadistribution.com

 

“THE ONLY WOMAN” SUCEEDS IN ITS DEBUT ON CANAL 13 CHILE
“THE ONLY WOMAN” SUCEEDS IN ITS DEBUT ON CANAL 13 CHILE
27 AUG 2015

2015.08.05 | Onza Distribution, a production and distribution company based in Spain, confirmed that Canal 13 Chile will be the first channel to broadcast TVI´s Telenovela, ¨The Only Woman¨ in Latin America.

Released in March this year, the Telenovela continues on air with more than 100 episodes on the leading channel in Portugal. It has been sold in all the African Portuguese-speaking countries: Mozambique, Angola and Cabo Verde. 

¨The Only Woman¨ tells the story of a great national bank that triggers the clash of two realities and the conflict between two families.  Luis Miguel is a young engineer who seeks to build a career in Angola. He leaves behind a traditional and conservative family, one that has been affected by the crisis. Luis Miguel meets Mara in Angola, the nurse who saves him from near death. The girl’s father is an Angolan businessman who has significant investments in Portugal and he is also the construction firm’s number one client. He holds the company’s fate in his hands but he bears a deep grudge against the Portuguese, since his father was murdered by one during the Colonial war. The legacy of this past and his current interests turn a corporate dispute into a clash of two worlds.

 

Gonzalo Sagardía, Onza´s managing director, explained: "We had been in talks for a few months and finally got our first Portuguese content sale in Latin America. We are elated and we hope that success in Chile leads to sales in other countries. In fact, we are starting negotiations with other territories now.

Onza Distribution is TVI´s exclusive agent; they also have 15 other productions to offer. Gonzalo’s stand out ¨The Kiss of the Scorpion¨ has huge sales potential for the US/Hispanic market. This Telenovela narrates the story of two sisters with really different economic backgrounds. While it looks like a traditional concept, Sagardía said it has a 'spin' on the traditional telenovelas, since in this case the rich one is the good person and the humble one is the evil person. 

FONT: PRENSARIO INTERNACIONAL

COMAREX Y ONZA PARTNERS SE ASOCIAN PARA LANZAR COMAREX ESPAÑA
COMAREX Y ONZA PARTNERS SE ASOCIAN PARA LANZAR COMAREX ESPAÑA
03 NOV 2014
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ACQUIRES THE RIGHTS OF
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ACQUIRES THE RIGHTS OF "I WANT TO BE MESSI"
09 SEP 2014
Onza Distribution in MIPCOM 2013
Onza Distribution in MIPCOM 2013
28 AUG 2013

Onza Distribution will be at MIPCOM, the biggest market in the audiovisual industry, which will take place in Cannes from the 7 to the 10 of October. The company will serve its clients in stand R.33.18 located in the Spanish section.

In its first appearance, Onza will show a catalogue consisting of more than 5,000 hours of great quality television. The newest memer to its catalogue is The Avatars (52x23), teen drama that will premiere shortly on Italy's Disney Channel and in Rai Gulp, and that Onza will co-distribute along with Boomeran Internacional. Some of their newest items also include Roman Engineering (4x52), a high budget documentary that shows the viewers the ingenuity and creativity of the Roman people had to build their cities and aqueducts, garnished with incredible 3D animations and lots of eye candy; Crossed Destinies (180x50), the latest hit of the Portuguese Soap Operas, and the leading program for Onza Distribution's Soap Opera catalogue; Synchronized, a program that compares the life of three persons who share the same job in three different cities, will be the big arrival for the Factual programming. Synchronized will premiere on TVE throughout September of this year.

Along with its main releases, the company will showcase successful programs such as The Anthill (8 seasons),the famous show presented by Pablo Motos that has been optioned in more than eight countries. Onza's catalogue also highlights its variety and great quality within its Lifestyle programming, led by Karlos Arquiñano's cooking shows.

The catalogue Onza will have available to buyers is garnished even more with incredible Fiction series, documentaries, soap operas, factuals, lifestyle, and entertainment programs.

To contact with the sales team of Onza Distribution or schedule a meeting at MIPCOM you can address yourself at onza@onzadistribution.com