08/11/2022 - From 9 to 11 November, the second Independent Film Market brings films to be released in Spain to film exhibitors, digital platforms and television channels

An image from MERCI's previous edition (© Lolo Vasco)

After the success of its first edition in 2021 (read interview), with an attendance of more than 100 professionals, the 19th Seville European Film Festival holds the 2nd Independent Film Market – MERCI Sevilla, organised by this event and ADICINE - Association of Independent Film Distributors currently chaired by Lara Pérez Camiña and Enrique Costa, and made up of major Spanish distributors. This industry event aims to boost the relationship between distributors and exhibitors and promote the reach of quality independent cinema.

From 9 to 11 November, the mk2 CineSur Nervión Plaza cinema will be hosting a programme featuring the 20 most important independent premieres for 2023 from most of the distributors in ADICINE. The screenings will be exclusively accessible to Spanish exhibitors, television channels and streaming platforms, with the aim of encouraging greater and better promotion in the run-up to their release.

These screenings include films renowned at international festivals, such as One Fine Morning [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], the latest by French filmmaker Mia Hansen-Love (distributed here by Elastica Films), the award-winning and highly nominated Close [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Eden Dambrine
interview: Lukas Dhont
interview: Lukas Dhont
film profile] by Lukas Dhont (Vértigo Films) and the Swedish production Boy from Heaven [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Tarik Saleh
film profile] (La Aventura); comedies such as The Phantom of the Open [+see also:
film review
film profile] (A Contracorriente) and The Innocent [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], by and with Louis Garrel (Bteam Pictures), as well as Spanish films such as the documentary about the musician Joaquín Sabina by Fernando León de Aranoa Feeling It [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (Avalon) and the family film Reyes Contra Santa (Tripictures), by Paco Caballero. Also included in the programme is the most eagerly awaited premieres from Caramel Films (Paul Schrader’s El maestro jardinero), Festival Films (Lotfy Nathan's Harka [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]), Karma Films (Maryam Touzani's The Blue Caftan [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]) and Wanda Visión (Oliver Hermanus' Living [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]).

In addition to the screenings, MERCI also offers attendees meetings, talks and round tables with industry professionals on issues currently affecting the film industry, including the development of the national and international market, given by the Comscore team; synergies between distributors and exhibitors, with representatives from PRÓXIMA (Association of Distributors of Independent and Auteur Cinema in O.V.), PROMIO (Network of Independent Cinemas), NAECE (New Association of Spanish Film Exhibitors), ADICINE and FECE; the visibility of films in the media; a showcase by CICAE (Confédération Internationale des Cinémas d’Art et d’Essai), and various promoreels.

New this second edition is the award given for the first time by MERCI, which pays tribute to Juan José Daza, a historic figure in distribution and screening who made a significant contribution to attracting audiences to the Cine Paz, located in the centre of Madrid. In addition, in the 1970s, Daza produced his first independent film: Bruja, más que bruja, with Fernando Fernán-Gómez, and co-wrote the screenplays for El abuelo tiene un plan, together with Vicente Coello; Separación Matrimonial, with Ana Belén; Mi hijo no es lo que parece, by Angelino Fons; El extraño amor a los vampiros, with Emma Cohen; and El último guateque, by Juan José Porto. At the same time, he also worked as a film critic and independent distributor.

(Translated from Spanish by Vicky York)