Spain’s Stellar Cannes Presence Clouded by Uncertainty as Industry Champion Domingo Corral Exits Movistar Plus+

On the eve of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Spanish cinema is riding high with two films in the event’s official competition – “Sirat” and “Romería” – and another selected for Critics’ Week – “Sleepless City.” However, a shadow looms over the celebratory spirit as one of the country’s most important producers and champions of groundbreaking and industry-defining series and latterly cinema, Movistar Plus+ director of fiction and entertainment Domingo Corral, is exiting the company, leaving the future of one of the nation’s largest indie cinema backers in question.

For over a decade, Corral was the driving force behind Movistar Plus+’s push into original storytelling, championing ambitious series that redefined Spain’s place in the international audiovisual landscape. Under his leadership, the platform evolved into one of Europe’s most respected producers of scripted content, rivaling the likes of Netflix and HBO Europe in prestige.

His exit, announced quietly last week amid a wave of high-level leadership changes at Telefónica and Movistar Plus+, has left the creative community stunned. Though no official explanation was given, industry insiders cite internal restructuring and shifts in corporate strategy. The timing seems especially cruel, with Spain’s artistic voice gaining renewed visibility on the world stage, one of its most vital enablers is stepping aside.

The reaction has been swift and emotional. A chorus of nearly 150 prominent figures from the Spanish entertainment sector, including modern icons such as Pedro and Agustín Almodóvar, Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, and Alejando Amenábar have publicly expressed their gratitude and concern in an open letter. They credited Corral with not only building a platform that elevated Spanish stories but with fostering a collaborative environment rooted in creative respect and transparency.

Representatives from Spain’s next generation of standout artists are also present, including the likes of Los Javis – Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo – Leticia Dolera, Rodrigo Sorogoyen and Cannes regular Oliver Laxe, who helmed this year’s competition player “Sirat,” co-produced by Movistar Plus+.

Their appeal goes beyond nostalgia, it’s a plea to preserve a cultural ecosystem that many see as fragile. Corral’s stewardship enabled hits like “Querer” and “La Mesías,” which captured audiences and became emblematic of Spain’s bold new narrative voice. Often helmed by young or emerging directors, these projects have brought a renewed sense of identity to Spanish fiction, grounded in authenticity, experimentation and artistic risk.

The open letter, while expressing deep appreciation, serves as a subtle warning to incoming executives Jorge Pezzi and Hugo Tomás, who are taking over fiction and entertainment, respectively. The creative community is watching closely, urging them not to abandon the principles that made Movistar Plus+ a beacon for independent and groundbreaking work.

The full statement and a current list of co-signees can be found below:

In light of Domingo Corral’s departure as Director of Fiction and Entertainment at Movistar Plus+, after ten years working to bring Spanish films and series to the top of the national and international audiovisual scene, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to him and his entire team.

During a decade that has been revolutionary in the sector, thanks also to Telefónica’s commitment to the creation of original content, Domingo Corral and his entire team have championed an idea, a project based on respect for creators, close collaboration with independent producers, and listening to all the partners they have worked with, without ever neglecting their focus on entertainment.

The achievements of his critically and publicly acclaimed series and fiction are evident. He has created series and produced films that are now part of Spain’s audiovisual legacy and have won, year after year, the most prestigious audiovisual awards both in Spain and abroad.

In addition to greatly benefiting the industrial fabric of the sector over these ten years and helping to provide opportunities for new voices, Domingo Corral’s team has also been an example for many of us when it comes to how to approach projects. Their dedication, honesty, and transparency have made this possible.

#ThankYouDomingoCorral

Adolfo Valor

Agustín Almodóvar 

Alauda Ruiz de Azúa

Albert Pla

Alberto Marini

Alberto del Campo

Alberto Ortega

Alberto Rodríguez 

Alberto Sánchez-Cabezudo

Albin Lewi

Alejandro Amenábar

Alex Brendemühl

Alex García

Alexis Morante

Álvaro Morte

Ana Polvorosa

Ana Rujas

ANAA (Asociación Nacional de Agentes Artísticos)

Andreu Buenafuente

Anna R. Costa

Antonio Abeledo

Antonio De la Torre

Araceli Gonda

Arantza Vélez

Arturo Lezcano

Bárbara Lennie

Beatriz Navas

Belén Martí Lluch

Berto Romero

Brays Efe

Candela Peña

Carla Pérez de Albéniz

Carles Porta

Carmen Machi

Cecilia Roth

Cesc Gay

Charlie Arnaiz

Claire-Marine 

Claudia Costafreda

Cris Trenas

Cristina Sutherland

Cristina Zumarraga

Cristóbal Garrido

Dani De la Torre

Dani Remon

Daniel Guzmán

Darío Grandetti

Darío Loureiro

Diego San José

Diego Vega

DYP Comunicación

Eduard Fernández

Elías León Siminiani

Ellas Comunicación

Emma Suárez

Ernesto Alterio

Esther Garcia

Eva Leira

Fernanda del Nido

Fernando González Molina

Fernando Guallar

Fernando Méndez-Leite

Francesc Orella

Francesco Carril

Francis Lorenzo

Greta Fernández

Gris Jordana

Hugo Silva

Iciar Bollaín

Imanol Arias

Irene Escolar

Iria del Río

Isa Campo

Isabel Peña

Isaki Lacuesta

Javier Ambrossi

Javier Bardem

Javier Calvo

Javier Cámara

Javier Gutiérrez

Javier Ruiz Caldera

Joan Estrada

Jorge Coira

Jorge Sánchez-Cabezudo

José Antonio Félez

José Luis Cienfuegos

José Manuel Lorenzo

Juan Antonio Vigar

Juan Diego Botto

Juan Echanove

Juan Maidagán

Juana Martínez

Julia Navarro

Justin Webster

Katia Kirby

Leiva

Leonardo Sbaraglia

Leticia Dolera

Lola Dueñas

Luis Tosar

Luis Zahera

Macarena Garcia

Majós Martínez

Manolo Solo

Mar Coll

Marcel Barrena

María León

Mario Forniés

Mariona Viader

Marta Etura

Miren Ibarguren

Mónica López

Nacho Carretero

Nacho Vigalondo

Nathalie Poza

Oliver Laxe

Oriol Maymo

Oskar Santos

Pablo Molinero

Pablo Remon

Paco León

Patricia López Arnaiz

Patrick Criado

Pau Freixas

Pedro Casablanc

Pedro Almodóvar

Penélope Cruz

Pepe Coira

Pepón Montero

Rafael Cobos

Rafael Portela

Raúl Arevalo

Raül Refree

Rodrigo Sorogoyen

Roger Casamajor

Sergi López

Sergio Jiménez

Sergio Peris-Mencheta

Sonia Martínez

Teresa Camus

Valentina Viso

Verónica Sánchez

Victoria Luengo

Xavi Font

Xen Subirats

Yolanda Serrano