Motion Pictures
March 18, 2003
Ana Amigo Named Director, Local Production, Spain, Warner Bros. Pictures
(March 18, 2003 – Burbank, CA) - Ana Amigo has been named Director, Local Production, Spain, Warner Bros. Pictures, marking the Studio’s move into Spanish film production, it was announced today by Simona Benzakein, Vice President, European Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures.
In this newly created position, Amigo will work with Spanish writers, producers and directors to bring Spanish-language films to Warner Bros. Pictures. Warner Bros. Pictures will decide to serve as a producer, production partner and/or distributor on these films on a project-by-project basis. Based in Madrid, Amigo will report to Benzakein (who is based in Paris).
“Ana’s knowledge of the Spanish film market is excellent,” said Benzakein. “Her relationships and experience in production, distribution and acquisitions make her the ideal executive to launch our Spanish production activities.”
Amigo has more than two decades experience in Spanish film production and distribution, working for such companies as Luis Megino Productions, Sogetel, Cinepaq and Sogepaq, and with such filmmakers as Alejandro Amenabar (“Abre los Ojos”) and Julio Medem (“Los Amantes del Circulo Polar”). While at Cinepaq and later Sogepaq (a distribution company formed by the merger of Cinepaq and Idea), Amigo served as Director of National and International Acquisitions, growing Cinepaq’s library to more than 680 films and Sogepaq’s to more than 1,400 titles.
Warner Bros. Pictures’ move into Spanish production furthers the company’s long-term commitment to the production, acquisition and distribution of local-language films in their country of origin. This strategy allows the company to stay competitive in the market, especially with the rise in appetite for locally produced product and the emergence of major local entertainment corporate players in the film production and distribution arena. To date, the Studio has struck production/distribution deals in Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Brazil and, most recently, in China. # # #