The distributor held its traditional screening at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, where it presented more than 20 films starring today’s most in-demand actors, as well as major premieres of series and productions from Latin America.
*Produced by Luis Cabrera, from Los Angeles
With the 2025 edition of the LA Screenings Independents now over, this Saturday, May 17, the action continued at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel with Telefilms, who presented its traditional screening and cocktail reception to unveil the latest additions to its catalog to buyers and industry colleagues.
Tomás Darcyl, president of Telefilms, kicked off the screening by welcoming attendees and sharing a few words about the current state of the industry: “This is a very important night. It has a lot of magic and is very exciting for us.”
“It’s a difficult time for the business, but in this difficult time, we’re going further: seeking the best product, with a lot of investment, a lot of effort, and a lot of time,” the executive said.
To a packed house at the Blossom Ballroom, the group presented more than twenty films with A-list protagonists, in addition to a selection of Brazilian films and new series, led by productions about the beloved Mexican actor and producer Roberto Gómez Bolaños.
In terms of the film lineup, this year’s selection was led by The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, about the life of mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr.
Other major highlights in the feature film category include Conclave, a title more in vogue than ever after the death of Pope Francis, starring Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci; and Babygirl, starring Nicole Kidman as a highly successful CEO who begins an illicit affair with her much younger intern.
And when it comes to big-name stars in the lineup, few are as popular as Zendaya, who stars in The Drama alongside Robert Pattinson; Timothee Chalamet, who stars in Marty Supreme, based on the life of legendary ping-pong player Marty Reisman; and Keanu Reeves, who leads the cast of the comedy The Entertainment System Is Down.
Other highlights include the biopic María, about the life of opera singer Maria Callas, played by Angelina Jolie; Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, starring Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr.; Afterburn, the post-apocalyptic science fiction film starring Samuel L. Jackson and Dave Batista; The Apprentice, starring Sebastian Stan; the musical comedy Power Ballad, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas; In the Grey, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Henry Cavill; and Roofman, starring Channing Tatum and Peter Dinklage, among others.
In the horror genre, Telefilms presented Longlegs, produced by Saturn Films and starring Nicholas Cage, in which an FBI agent searches for an occult serial killer, with whom she realizes she has a personal connection; Terrifier 3, in which the clown Art sets out to unleash chaos among the unsuspecting residents of Miles County as they sleep peacefully on Christmas Eve; Heretic, starring Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East; and Together, with Allison Brie and Dave Franco.
Regarding animations, the group presented Night of the Zoopocalypse, starring David Harbour; and Locked, with Anthony Hopkins. And on the biopic side, they presented Better Man, about the life of singer Robbie Williams.
And in terms of series, the star of the Telefilms screening was undoubtedly El Chavo del 8, with two super productions based on the beloved character created by Roberto Gómez Bolaños.
On the one hand, the group is presenting the biopic Chespirito: Sin Queriendo Queriendo, inspired by the life and legacy of the Mexican actor, screenwriter, and producer, which will premiere on Max on June 5. Produced by Warner Bros. Discovery, THR3 Media, and Perro Azul, and starring Pablo Cruz in the role of Bolaños, alongside a great cast, the series portrays the life of the man who transformed his desire to provoke smiles into a universal legacy of humor and tenderness. Creator of beloved characters such as El Chavo del 8 and El Chapulín Colorado, his talent not only conquered a nation but also crossed borders to establish itself in the hearts of millions around the world.
Bruce Boren, CEO of THR3 Media Group, highlighted the popularity of the biopic’s trailer, which is “by far the most viewed of a Latin American product,” and emphasized the arduous effort that went into producing this highly anticipated title: “It took six or seven years to get to this moment.”
Roberto Gómez, son of Roberto Gómez Bolaños, dedicated a few words to his father: “I am very proud to be able to tell something very complicated for me: a teacher, a genius, but also my father. We are very happy, but the audience will be the final judge. My father would be tremendously proud of what you are about to see.”
The other highlight is the animated series Los Colorado, first announced at the last edition of Mipcom. Produced by Telefilms, along with THR3 Studios and Huevocartoon, the 20-episode series continues the adventures of El Chapulín Colorado, but he is now married and the father of two children.
Rodolfo Riva Palacio, from Huevocartoon, spoke about his experience creating the animation: “It’s a privilege to work with this character. We ask ourselves where El Chapulín comes from when we invite him, and with all due respect, we build that entire universe, with his family.”
Telefilms also presented a series of films made in Brazil with its local partner, Galería, including productions such as Fe para o Impossivel and A melhor mae do mundo.
Finally, beyond content, the group talked about its international expansion into the African continent, where they opened a local office in the South African capital of Johannesburg, from which they represent WBD’s content for cinemas.
