In this series, we highlight our clients to help them build connections that count, and shine ahead of MIPCOM.
Onza is a leading content producer in Spain. Founded in 2014 by José María Irisarri, Gonzalo Sagardía, and Nicolás Bergareche, Onza’s first series, The Department of Time, quickly became a benchmark in Spanish television fiction. Since then, the company hasn’t stopped producing high-quality TV series. Its most recent successes include Heartless and Traffic Jam in Spain and Isla Brava in Latin America.
After seven years of activity in Spain, during which it implemented a solid co-production model with creative talent, the company founded Onza Américas in 2021. This new branch targets the Latin American and Hispanic markets in the United States, marking the first step in their international expansion.
Onza Distribution is an international audiovisual content distributor. It has become one of the largest distributors in Spain, offering a unique service with a content portfolio that includes telenovelas, series, documentaries, as well as fiction and entertainment formats, reaching more than 120 countries.
Carlos Garde is an executive with experience in distribution, following his tenure as Director of Onza Distribution, where he expanded the distributor’s presence in new international markets. He is currently the General Manager of Onza.
What are you looking for at MIPCOM?
At MIPCOM, we always look forward to meeting our clients to show them our new productions and discuss future projects. Meeting new people and new companies in the industry is also exciting.
What are you bringing to MIPCOM (if you know) + some stills (if you already have)
TRAFFIC JAM (TV Fiction, Comedy, 6×25’, 2024) – Nº 1 Prime time on Prime Video Spain
As evening falls, a huge traffic jam disturbs the plans of thousands of drivers. During 6 episodes, we will discover the crazy situations that can occur during a traffic jam. Family dramas, horror stories, self-improvement, and even love: who would have thought that there was so much life (and laughter) inside a jammed road? A comedy show starring 25 iconic actors from Spanish television. Traffic Jam has been number 1 on Prime Video Spain.
CACAO (Telenovela, Drama, 139×50’, 2023) – Nº 1 Prime time leader in Portugal
Cacao is a young girl from a Portuguese family who makes chocolates on a cocoa farm in Itacaré, Brazil. Her dream is to go abroad and study a pastry chef diploma but it is too expensive for her… Everything changes when her “father” decides to break a long-time pact with his wife and reveal that Cacao’s real father is actually Justino, the farm’s wealthy owner, who is shocked when he discovers that he had a daughter with his ex-lover, who disappeared years ago. This revelation triggers a series of intrigues and conflicts which jeopardize the heritage of the owner’s family as Cacao represents a threat to the other heirs. Cacao’s life is in danger but Tiago, an attractive young man she falls in love with, will do everything possible to protect Cacao from her enemies.
IBERIA & SAVANNAH: ONE WILDLIFE (Documentary, Wildlife, 1×52’, Coming Soon 2024)
There is a unique ecosystem in the world called ‘Dehesa’ in the Iberian Peninsula. Its landscape is very similar to one of the most spectacular and beautiful ecosystems in the world: the African Savannah. One is in Europe and the other in Africa but their similarity is striking. Can two such distant landscapes function similarly? Do their animals lead similar lives? We will learn the stories of the large predators that inhabit both lands and how there are species that even travel from one landscape to the other. This story focuses on the comparison of these majestic animals and their survival strategies in such different yet similar environments.
What is your favourite MIPCOM memory? (MIPCOM turns 40 this year, so we want to celebrate with the best memories)
I always keep great memories of everything that happens outside the regular meetings. I really had a lot of fun with my colleagues and clients in Cannes at night. Zoom can´t beat that!
Hook: Do you have an interesting company news we could mention on Social Media?
Onza Distribution has recently announced the sale of the hit format El Hormiguero (The Anthill) to Mediaset Italia. This agreement with Mediaset follows Onza Distribution’s sale of the show’s ready-made version to Estrella TV in the United States earlier this year. The distribution company has achieved several sales in the last quarter, including the documentary Young Addictions sold to Germany (ZDF), Belgium (RTBF), Slovenia (RTV Slovenija), Portugal (CNN Portugal), and MENA (Al Jazeera). Onza Distribution is also known for consistently expanding its catalog to cater to all types of audiences. Recently, it has acquired the rights to Wakai’s sports documentaries, including titles such as Thibaut Courtois: A Real Madrid Story. More new productions will be added to its catalog soon.
