Neo Art International, Rabagast Film, and Drama Svecia have sealed a co-production pact, unveiling their first collaboration, the genre thriller “Sfär,” directed by Markus Johnson Castro. The film follows Castro’s debut feature “Ghabe,” which earned a Swedish Guldbagge Award.
The partnership signals Neo Art’s strategic expansion into Scandinavian collaborations, highlighting the continued allure of Spanish co-productions given their world leading tax incentives.
“At Berlinale 2024, the company announced a new international sales division that will continue to focus on co-productions and sales with Italy and now Scandinavia,” said producer Antonia Nava.
Rabagast, a major Spanish service company, who has assisted productions such as George Clooney’s “The Midnight Sky,” is scaling up its involvement in feature films and TV, marking “Sfär” as a pivotal entry in its slate. The film will be produced by Nava, Natalia Villalón, Mikael Flodell and Magnus Thulin.
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There is a strong genre pedigree in the collaboration, Nava for example spent 10 early years at Filmax working with projects such as Brad Anderson’s “The Machinist.”
“‘The Machinist’ was an inspiration in my career. I have always loved to produce genre content that is clever and twisted at the same time. The chances to please an audience are high and working with talented filmmakers is a guarantee,” she told Variety.
“Sfär” follows Suado, a rising basketball star whose ambition takes a sinister turn when a nightmarish experience on the playground triggers an unnerving streak of luck. As obstacles to her success mysteriously vanish, even those closest to her are affected. Torn between chasing her dream and protecting her troubled brother, Suado must confront the price this unwarranted success has.
Neo Art will handle worldwide sales for the project and is set to attend the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin.
Swedish-born producer Natalia Villalón will co-lead the newly launched international sales division alongside Nava. The companies are expected to announce further co-productions soon.