Fueled by ‘La Bola Negra,’ Spain’s Indie Distribution Make Robust Gains, to Be Highlighted at Valladolid’s Merci Market

Oct 23, 2026 10:38am PT Fueled by ‘La Bola Negra,’ Spain’s Indie Distribution Make Robust Gains, to Be Highlighted at Valladolid’s Merci Market

The sixth Merci market, part of the Valladolid Film Festival, is set to gather more than 200 film professionals and showcases 26 upcoming releases in Spain

By Emiliano de Pablos

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Emiliano de Pablos

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See All Add us as a Google Preferred Source Opening of Merci 2025 Courtesy of Seminci

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The box office success of “La Bola Negra,” handled by Elastica Films, has given Spain’s independent film distribution sector a timely boost. The momentum comes as Valladolid’s Merci market enters its sixth edition, its first since the death of José Luis Cienfuegos, the director of Valladolid, known in Spain as the Seminci, who helped build the event.

Running Oct. 28-30 at Valladolid’s Broadway cinemas, Merci loos set to draw more than 200 industry professionals. Its 26-film slate gives exhibitors an advance look at releases scheduled for late 2026 and the first half of 2027.

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