31/07/2025 - The animated pirate adventure film, based on the book by Llanos Campos and distributed by Filmax, has completed production

The Treasure of Barracuda, the new animated feature by Adrià García (Goya winner for Nocturna [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), offers a thrilling pirate adventure with all the hallmarks of the genre: secret maps, chases, naval battles and unique characters. Loosely inspired by the 2014 book of the same title, published in several languages and written by Llanos Campos, the film has been adapted for the screen by Amèlia Mora. It tells the story of Chispas, who, while searching for her parents, accidentally ends up on Captain Barracuda's pirate ship. The fearsome crew are armed to the teeth but face a serious problem: they can't read. Only Chispas can help them find Phineas Crane's treasure, the most valuable and sought-after treasure of all the pirates in the Caribbean.

“The Treasure of Barracuda doesn't teach lessons, but it conveys a powerful message: reading transforms, unites and sets us free. This story has humour, mystery, tenderness and an open, empathetic worldview. It's a film that speaks the language of children, without underestimating them," explains its director, who won the Goya Award for Best Animated Film in 2007 for his debut film Nocturna, co-directed with Víctor Maldonado. Since then, he has released My Family and the Wolf (2019) and collaborated on films such as Tad the Lost Explorer and [+see also:
trailer
film profile] the Emerald Tablet [+see also:
trailer
film profile], A Monster Calls [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Juan Antonio Bayona
film profile] and El Cid, The Legend [+see also:
trailer
film profile]. In his latest work, he once again blends adventure and humour with a humanistic core. The film combines 2D animation with 3D backgrounds to create a distinctive visual style that is far removed from the digital aesthetic and inspired by comics, with vibrant light palettes and the technicolour charm of classic cinema.

"This story won me over with its ability to move me without relying on the obvious. It’s an adventure crafted for children, but with layers of meaning that will resonate with adults too. What stays with me after finishing this feature film is the idea that family is what supports you, respects you and gives you the strength to face your own fears—even if they're a bunch of pirates," says Valérie Delpierre, producer of the film, which marks her production company Inicia Films’ foray into animation.

The Treasure of Barracuda is produced by Valérie Delpierre for the Spanish company Inicia Films., Elena Hernández for the Spanish company Hampa Animation Studio and Raphaële Ingberg for the Belgian company Belvision. It features the participation of RTVE, À Punt, 3Cat and RTBF, with funding from the ICAA as part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan of the Next Generation EU fund, as well as support from ICEC, Europa Creativa - MEDIA, Eurimages, IVC, Belgian Tax Shelter, BNP Paribas Fortis Film France and Wallimage. Its international sales and Spanish distribution are handled by Filmax.

(Translated from Spanish)