Partners We Love: #2 Umedia x Arcadia Motion Pictures

A European collaboration on Berlinale-selected series “Ravalear: Not for sale”

Sandra: “Ravalear: Not for sale” is actually not the first collaboration between Umedia and Arcadia Motion Pictures. However, it is the first collaboration between our two companies in a series format.

This partnership began more than two years ago when we first shared the project, and Umedia expressed interest in telling this story and participating in its creation. We therefore decided to join forces and pool our resources again between Belgium and Spain.

Cloé: Indeed, we first had the chance to work with the Arcadia team 15 years ago on Pablo Berger’s Blancanieves. Since then, we’ve been waiting for the right project to collaborate again. Co-productions only make sense when they happen organically; they can’t be forced.

Arcadia has always stood out to us because their slate is filled with bold, visually distinctive stories. Ravalear tells a deeply local story, yet one that resonates with cities all over the world. And that’s exactly when a co-production feels meaningful: when different perspectives can come together to make a story even more universal.

Sandra and Ignasi brought us on board early, which gave us the time to carefully assemble the right pieces and anticipate the creative and logistical challenges that come with an international co-production.

Cloé: From the very beginning, everyone shared the same determination to make it work and to push the quality of the series as far as possible. There was a real sense of collective purpose.

At the same time, we all felt we were building something truly singular. That kind of shared awareness doesn’t happen on every project: and it makes all the difference.

Sandra: For me, one of the most valuable aspects of this working relationship has been our ability to coordinate and optimize co-production, both during the filming and post-production phases. We have adapted to the needs of the shoot and identified the most fitting natural locations required by the project. A highlight of this collaborative process was also the post-production phase, particularly on a project where the connection with the city of Barcelona during filming was especially important.

Sandra: Being selected for Berlinale is extremely valuable for the series. This year’s festival marks the first edition of a special section dedicated to "series with a distinct cinematic style". Being selected for this section, which has exceptionally high competition in quality series, already represents a significant milestone.

Additionally, it is very important to demonstrate that European co-productions and the pooling of resources can result in great projects like Ravalear: Not for sale, which originates from a local theme but resonates with a global audience. Furthermore, as the series premieres alongside the film and series market, we hope it will secure distribution in the rest of the world and generate strong anticipation among the audience in Belgium and Spain as they eagerly await the series' release later this year.

Cloé: First of all, it’s reassuring — it means we must have done something right.

But beyond that, it sends a strong message: series deserve to be experienced in true cinematic conditions! Ravalear is an immersive journey, with a story that extends far beyond its setting. It feels profoundly European, so Berlin was the perfect place to introduce it to the world.

Seeing the entire team gathered that night, and witnessing their pride, was incredibly moving. In the end, that says more than anything else.

Sandra: Collaborative

Cloé: Alignment

A series created by Pol Rodríguez, produced by Arcadia Motion Pictures and Supernova Films, in coproduction with Umedia for HBO Max.

This series was selected in the 2026 Berlinale Special Series category and is scheduled to release on HBO Max in 2026 in Spain and Portugal.