Catalonia Ranges at Berlin From Features to Series and Co-Productions

Variety

by John Hopewell

February 14, 2026

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Catalonia arrives at this year’s Berlinale with its most diverse selection of film and TV projects in recent years, showcasing a range of formats and genres that highlight the region’s growing audiovisual ecosystem. The lineup includes a buzzy Max series about Barcelona’s gentrification crisis, “Ravalear: Not For Sale,” a Panorama feature debut titled “Iván & Hadoum,” a returning shorts director, and a Latin American minority co-production. Backed by full value chain support from the Catalan government’s cultural agency ICEC, this year’s selections demonstrate a deliberate pivot toward larger diversity of format and international reach, reflecting the dynamic growth of Catalonia’s film industry over the past decade. The Berlin showing marks a new chapter for Catalonia, which has built one of Europe’s most vibrant audiovisual ecosystems. The region’s projects are characterized by their variety in genres, narratives, and formats, ranging from feature films to short films and international co-productions. For instance, “Iván & Hadoum,” a co-production between Spain, Germany, and Belgium, won the Eurimages Award at the 2023 Berlinale Co-Production Market, underscoring the success of Catalonia’s networking infrastructure. The film, directed by Ian de la Rosa, is a love story set in southern Spain that has gained international attention. Another highlight is “Ravalear: Not For Sale,” a six-episode Max series inspired by the creator’s family’s century-old bar in Barcelona’s Raval neighborhood. This series, which explores themes of gentrification and identity crisis, is the first Catalan series selected for Berlinale Special Series. Backed by ICEC’s High-End TV Production Fund, it features a star-studded cast, including Enric Auquer, Sergi López, and Francesc Orella. Catalonia’s audiovisual sector has also established itself as a strategic industry, with the government treating it as both creative and economic tool. This approach has fostered strong alliances with private stakeholders, making it a game-changer in the entertainment industry. ICEC’s Shortcat program, now in its 19th year, supports emerging filmmakers by providing international distribution support and market connections. For example, Christian Avilés returns to Berlin with his short film “Stallion and a Crystal Ball,” following his previous success with “Daydreaming About Our Spanish Holidays.” The region’s focus on diversity and international co-productions has also led to significant achievements. Lucia Romero’s “Cura Sana,” which won a Berlin 2024 Crystal Bear, is being developed into a feature film selected for this year’s Berlin Co-Production Market. These projects not only reflect the richness of

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Originally published on Variety on 2/14/2026