Tag Archive: LALIGA

  1. LALIGA Studios, Blend Studios & MContent Develop “Veleta” Biopic on Spain’s First Women’s Footballer

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    LALIGA Studios, the joint venture between Banijay Iberia and LALIGA, is to partner with Blend Studios, and M Content, to develop a brand-new film dedicated to the fascinating story of Spain’s first women’s footballer, Anita Carmona Ruiz; nicknamed both Nita and Veleta. A story of survival and courage in a man’s world, the fascinating true story dates back to 1920s Malaga and follows the sportswoman as she disguises herself as a man in her quest to pursue her passion… football.

    Andalusian producer Blend Studios was founded by director Paco Torres, winner of two RTVA awards, a Corporate Cannes and an Amnesty International award, among others; and M Content, led by showrunner Amaya Muruzábal, is creator of successes, Reina Roja and Hernán (Amazon Prime Video).

    Veleta is based on the work of author, journalist and sports collector, Jesús Hurtado, who only uncovered this never-before-told story in 2020, 80 years on from her death, her identity remained a mystery as Malaga’s fans had made a pact of silence with one purpose: to enable her to keep playing. Now the trio of producers are bringing this tale to screens.

    Our goal is to make a film that moves, mobilises, and tells the whole world the practically unknown story of Anita Carmonasays Paco Torres, director and co-screenwriter with Amaya Muruzábal.

    Amaya Muruzábal highlights that “Andalusian Veleta is an exceptionally combative and determined character, a figure rarely seen on the big screen, since she was the world’s first women’s footballer”

    We always talk about those stories that deserve to be told. The world of sport is full of them. We are here to talk about those issues that we all know need to be discussed. Football still drags issues like racism, sexism, homophobia… and sometimes, fiction is the best vehicle to tell a truthsays Chalo Bonifacino Cooke, CEO of LALIGA Studios.

    In recent months, LALIGA Studios has announced two major deals: a project with Little Spain (by artist C. Tangana) to create a fiction series set in the LALIGA universe; and another agreement with Hollywood production company MTP, led by Mike Tollin, executive producer of the acclaimed documentary series, The Last Dance.

    Blend Studios is currently producing animated series, Jesterina, together with Indian production company, Toonzstation, which will be distributed by Digitoonz. Among other developments is short film, Leviticus 20:13, a crime thriller already selected by Seville European Film Festival (SEFF), the Elche Film Festival, Islantilla Flickers, Sombras and BARS (Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre). Paco Torres directs his second feature film after his intriguing debut The Magic of Hope,and after the premiere at the Cork Film Festival of an experimental film shot in 14 hours in Ireland, Saol; plus his multi-award-winning short films The Rattle of Benghazi, Halowin and Setenta.

    Since launching in March 2023, M Content has been in advanced development of its first two films with showrunner Amaya Muruzábal serving as executive producer, following the international success of Reina Roja. The label’s purpose – a fiction brand emerging from Mandarina Contenidos, creator of Argentine hit, El amor después del amor (Netflix) – is to create Spanish content with high social impact on both sides of the Atlantic.

  2. LALIGA Studios, the joint venture between LALIGA and Banijay Iberia, closes a deal with Little Spain to develop a fiction series set in the LALIGA universe.

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    LALIGA Studios, the joint venture between Banijay Iberia and LALIGA, has closed a deal with Little Spain, the production company founded by internationally renowned artist C Tangana, to develop a fiction series set in the LALIGA universe. This is a pioneering project as it is the first production with the IP of LALIGA and the official seal of approval from a competition of its size and scope.

    “We are facing a unique opportunity to produce the first fiction series that can exploit at all levels the IP of LALIGA, its clubs, its talent, its stadiums, its fans, to achieve a degree of veracity rarely seen in football-related fiction,” explained Chalo Bonifacino Cooke, CEO of LALIGA Studios.

    For its part, the Little Spain team has stated the objective is to create a story set in the context of Spanish professional football and from the idiosyncrasies of the LALIGA teams, where football, culture and life converge. This project is the result of a creative collaboration with actor Josh Hutcherson, a friend and ally of Little Spain in Los Angeles. This is a milestone for Little Spain, as it allows us to tell a story located between two key points: Spain and the United States. In order to capture the essence of the football world and its lifestyle accessible to very few, the key elements will be emotion and our signature cinematic style.”

    This project is also a new milestone in the strategic alliance between the company owned by LALIGA and Banijay Iberia, part of Banijay Entertainment, the content powerhouse with 130 production companies present in 21 territories, and Little Spain. Last March, both production companies created, together with LALIGA, the anthem 1voiceVSRACISM to fight against racism. This chant was played in all LALIGA EA SPORTS and LALIGA HYPERMOTION stadiums during the week of the World Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and had a great resonance, generating more than 193 million impressions and an average value of more than 9.7 million euros.

    Little Spain, with a growing influence in the audiovisual and creative world, won three Gold Lions in June at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, one of the most important advertising awards in the world. There it triumphed with the music video of the anthem, that the artist C Tangana – founding partner of the production company – composed for the centenary of RC Celta, a LALIGA EA SPORTS team. A success that comes after his first leap into feature-length documentaries with Esta ambición desmedida, a piece nominated for the Goya awards in 2023 that narrates the gestation and making of the tour of C Tangana’s influential album El Madrileño.

    In just one year of life, LALIGA Studios has produced for more than 100 operators, broadcasting in more than 190 countries around the world. It has also produced Límite 24H, the first programme on the closing of the summer transfer window, which announced the official last-minute signings thanks to exclusive access to LALIGA’s 7th floor and was broadcast on channels such as Movistar+, DAZN, ESPN, DirecTv and Sky TV.

    Since its inception, LALIGA Studios has created content for LALIGA and its main sponsors and clubs. Also, in its desire to be a pioneer in the world of sports entertainment, LALIGA Studios recently closed a deal for the development of football-related content with Hollywood production company MTP, formerly known as Mandalay Sports Media. This project is led by Mike Tollin, executive producer of the worldwide phenomenon The Last Dance, the miniseries about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls that became the most watched documentary in history on ESPN in the United States and a record-breaking hit on Netflix.

    Banijay Iberia and LALIGA joined forces last year to launch LALIGA Studios, a company led by Chalo Bonifacino Cooke. The partnership with Little Spain reflects Banijay Entertainment’s commitment to grow the sports entertainment business through new partnerships, content investments and mergers and acquisitions following the recent launch of Banijay Sports.

  3. Mike Tollin’s MTP and LALIGA Studios to Develop Slate of Soccer-Centric Projects.

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    Since its founding in 2023, LALIGA Studios, a joint venture between Banijay Iberia, part of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, and LALIGA, is dedicated to pioneering new standards in sports entertainment through the creation of global original content, brand content, digital media, live events, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of creativity and bringing entertainment to a worldwide audience.

    “LALIGA is the most exciting soccer league in the world. It touches people across the globe with a passion that’s unrivaled. And now, through our collaboration with MTP we can develop a global slate of projects that will take the sport from the pitch to a whole new audience worldwide” said Chalo Bonifacino Cooke, CEO of LALIGA Studios.

    MTP, previously known as Mandalay Sports Media is a sports-focused media company in Los Angeles. At the helm is Mike Tollin executive producer of the global sensation The Last Dance, the miniseries on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, which became the most watched documentary ever on ESPN in the U.S. and a record-breaking hit globally on Netflix. The series also won the 2020 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. MTP followed up its sports doc success two years later with 2022’s The Redeem Team (Netflix) which won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Long Documentary.

    Tollin’s storied Hollywood career includes scripted films, television hits, and documentaries such as the Oscar-nominated Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream. He was one of the original producers on the landmark 30 for 30 series for ESPN and in the last decade, has been trusted to tell the stories of sporting icons Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Allen Iverson and Shaun White. He has also worked on innovative projects alongside EA Sports, 2K Sports, and Jordan Brand.

    “Over the last decade, soccer and sports at large, have become fully mainstream in the US and beyond. Sports fans around the country are embracing the same aspects of the game that has made it the most-played sport in the world. Our partnership with LALIGA Studios will amplify this trend and bring the sport to a new demographic through accessible human storytelling.” said Jonathan Vogler, President of MTP’s Unscripted division.

    The details of the slate have not yet been announced but the first of its projects is already in the works led by MTP and Emmy winning producer-director Diego Hurtado de Mendoza.

    “I’m beyond excited about what we’ve been preparing. This is such a perfect match. MTP’s unmatched track record developing the most memorable projects in recent years and Spain’s LALIGA being the most dynamic soccer league globally are the perfect platform for developing the biggest, and most enjoyable new shows that will expand the categories of how sports can engage a global audience,” said Diego Hurtado de Mendoza.