For the first time in history, two films from Carla Simón's Romería and Oliver Laxe's Sirat won coveted attractions in the main competition in Cannes.

This milestone marks the fruits of years of strategic investment, education and international cooperation, transforming Catalonia into an emerging force in Europe’s Auteur Cinema.

“Great things are happening, but it’s not accidental,” said Oriol Maymó, a producer of Catalonian “Sirat” by Corte yConfección. “This is an industry that has been passionate for many years with institutions such as ICEC (Catalogue Cultural Companies Institute) to audiovisual training centers such as ESCAC and Pompeu Fabra.

In fact, educational and institutional support form the backbone of the Catalan film craze. "First, you need talent. Then, you need opportunities for training. Here, public universities and film schools have trusted to develop that talent for years." The Catalan government played a key role through ICEC not only by funding production funds, but also by promoting Catalan cinemas through Catalan films.

But it’s not just a creative cultivation. Catalonia’s embrace of international co-production opens the door to a wider market. Both “Romería” and “Sirat” are supported by important European co-producers, making their prospects very attractive in global audiences.

“Romería” producer Maria Zamora highlighted the long-term vision behind this shift, explaining: “It is a confirmation of a new generation of directors and producers who have spent years from the outset co-producing with other countries within the international coverage of our projects.”

Zamora also highlighted cultural policies that support the development of young talents: “Talents are not born on their own. This is encouraged through very specific cultural policies aimed at supporting young talents and Auteur Cinema.”

In business, the effect is already visible. "I think Catalan films are becoming more and more marketable. Distributors and sales agents are paying close attention because more projects are being invested in a wider audience without losing their unique perspectives," Maymó noted.

In the film itself, creative evolution is obvious. Santiago Fillol and directed by Laxe, “Sirat” takes a gritty journey in the carnival culture of Morocco, while “romería” combines profound personal memory with a universal search of identity. Despite being rooted in a particular culture, both films manage to resonate internationally. "Very strong and deeply ingrained cultures like Catalonia, Galician or Basque create highly special and genuine local stories that become common due to their authenticity," Zamora explained.

Sandra Tapia, executive producer of the Oscar-nominated “Robot Dream” production company Arcadia Films, added another key dimension: the role of public broadcasters. TV3 is a regional TV partner in Catalonia, helping to maintain production momentum even as streaming platforms shrink commissions. “It is crucial to have a strong public television,” Tapia asserted. “It ensures that when the market signs, the filmmakers still have important support.”

Of course, Cannes' success also reflects the maturity of Catalan producers in browsing international markets. "Young producers like us are more comfortable going to the market, pitching internationally and co-producing in countries," Tapia said. However, she pointed to a lingering challenge: Spain still lacks the strong international distribution support provided by countries such as France.

Tapia lamented: “Once you have succeeded in a large festival, public support usually only begins.”

However, the momentum is undeniable. Zamora describes it as a movement that has been building strength for years: "I remember when I started attending a co-production forum 15 years ago, there were only two or three Spanish producers. Now, there are young producers with many projects everywhere."

The international nature of Catalonia also makes it good at establishing cross-border partnerships. “Catalonia is very open to support important and emerging Otels,” Zamora noted. “It’s not just a local project – it’s about packaging of important works that can resonate internationally.”

Choosing "Romería" and "Sirat" in Cannes is not an outlier. It is a manifestation of the rich and intentional evolution of Catalan cinema, which values ​​artistic ambitions and business strategies evenly. As Maymó said: “If we keep believing in our industry, investing in a wide range of well-known projects without losing our personal voice, then Catalonia’s presence in the major festivals will not only continue, it will grow.”