Mediapro Studio Distribution Secures International Deals for Award-Winning Film "El 47"
Mediapro Studio Distribution has announced significant international distribution agreements for Marcel Barrena’s acclaimed film "El 47," a Spanish box office sensation and multiple Goya Award winner. A poignant drama inspired by real events, "El 47" explores the development of modern Barcelona through the eyes of a passionate bus driver, portrayed by renowned actor Eduard Fernández.
The film has secured a distribution partnership in the U.S. with Myriad Pictures, while Italy will see the film distributed by the indie company Movies Inspired, Poland’s distribution is managed by Mañana, and BookMyShow handles the film in India. After a successful screening at Australia’s recent Spanish Film Festival, where it was a centerpiece, "El 47" made a notable impact at the Australian box office, breaking into the Top 20 during its opening weekend.
In Greece, "El 47" has been captivating audiences since early July, distributed by Weird Wave. The film has had a remarkable run in Spanish cinemas, staying for over seven months and grossing nearly €3.98 million ($4.62 million) with more than 625,000 viewers, according to Comscore data from Spain’s Icaa film institute.
Directed and co-written by the award-winning Marcel Barrena, known for "Mediterráneo," the screenplay of "El 47" was co-created with celebrated writer-producer Alberto Marini, recognized for his work on "The Stranger" and "While You Sleep." The narrative follows Manolo Vital, an emigrant bus driver from Extremadura, frustrated by the Barcelona City Council’s stance that public transport cannot reach the underserved Torre Baró district due to dangerous roads. Determined to challenge this claim, he sets out to drive the Route 47 bus to his home village.
Set in the 1970s, "El 47" also reflects the stories of many neighborhoods formed in the 1950s by immigrants settling on the outskirts of major Spanish cities, driven by industrialization and social upheaval. Many of these communities lacked basic amenities, including running water and reliable bus service.
With an impressive awards trajectory, "El 47" has garnered over 30 accolades, including five Goya Awards, making it the most awarded film in the latest edition of the Spanish Academy Awards. In Catalonia, it claimed eight Gaudà Awards after receiving 18 nominations, marking it as the most nominated film in the history of these honors. Additionally, "El 47" holds the title of the highest-grossing Catalan-language film ever, with over 40 years of box office success.
The film has also triumphed at the Forqué Awards and received nominations at the Platino and Feroz Awards, specifically for best supporting actress Clara Segura. Furthermore, it won three awards from the Spanish Actors’ Union for Segura, Carlos Cuevas, and Zoe Bonafonte, and was nominated for best Spanish film at the Rosa de Sant Jordi Awards.
"El 47" has made its mark on the international film circuit, participating in numerous festivals, including the Shanghai International Film Festival, Nantes Spanish Film Festival, Amsterdam Spanish Film Festival, and the Spanish and Latin American Film Festival in Rome, as well as the Catalan Film Festival in Luxembourg. Recently, Eduard Fernández received Spain’s National Film Prize, with judges praising his performance in "El 47." The film is also a contender for the best Ibero-American film category at the upcoming Ariel Awards in Mexico.
Produced by Laura Fernández Espeso and Javier Méndez at The Mediapro Studio, "El 47" is backed by Movistar Plus+ and funded by the Catalan Institute for Cultural Companies (ICEC). The Spanish public broadcaster RTVE and Catalonia’s state TV 3Cat have also contributed, with Triodos Bank serving as a key partner. The Mediapro Studio Distribution, part of the prominent Grup Mediapro, oversees the film’s international sales.
For those interested in a powerful narrative steeped in history and social justice, "El 47" is a must-see film that resonates with audiences worldwide.
