The upcoming children’s and family animation film “The Treasure of Barracuda” has global sales rights, and Barcelona-based Filmax, a production, sales, and distribution business, is showing the movie to prospective purchasers at the Marché du Film.
One of the most talked-about Spanish titles available today is “The Treasure of Barracuda,” which has pitched at multiple international animation project events. The production was awarded €500,000 ($545,700) in funding by the 2023 Eurimages Project Evaluation Sessions just a year ago.
The movie, which is based on Llanos Campos’ adventure novel of the same name, follows the tale of Sparks, a little child who poses as a boy and sails a pirate ship full of formidable pirates. Not a single one of the swarthy crew members can read, despite their profusion of muscles and ego. However, young Sparks does, which makes her a priceless tool for treasure seeking.
“The Treasure of Barracuda” marks filmmaker Adrià Garcia’s third feature film, but his first to be animated since the exquisitely rendered “Nocturna” (2007), which participated in Annecy’s main competition and took home the 2008 Spanish Academy Goya Award for best animated film. The script is a collaboration between screenwriter Amèlia Mora (“Snowflake”) and novel author Llanos Campos.
The film is being co-produced by Barcelona’s Inicia Films, Valencia’s Hampa Studio, and Belgium’s Belvision. It made an impression as a project during the 2021 Cannes Marché du Film Animation Day and was a highlight of the 2022 Weird Market in Spain.
“In ‘The Treasure of Barracuda,’ we have combined narrative, aesthetics, and characters to reach a children’s audience with an emotive and thrilling story,” explains Inicia producer Valérie Delpierre. As the only reader in a society ruled by men, a courageous girl overcomes expectations in this 2D artistic realm created by the gifted Adria Garcia and her entire crew. Her daring nature and intriguing character design enable her to discover mysteries and conquer challenges as she ventures into uncharted territory in a tale full of bravery and magic.
“This year, the company is really focusing on animation, with some really great projects,” says Filmax’s head of international Ivan Diaz, who is similarly thrilled about the project. We’re thrilled to have Adria Garcia back in our lineup after managing his last picture, “Nocturna,” and to be collaborating with him on “The Treasure of Barracuda.” This animation production is full of personality, style, and quality. Who hasn’t, after all, fantasised about boarding a pirate ship at some point in their lives? We could not ask for a greater leader than Spark, the young girl who is our protagonist, as we set out on this trip.
