MoreThan Films Picks Up ‘Salen las lobas’ Ahead of Valladolid World Premiere

Ahead of its world premiere at Spain’s Valladolid Film Festival later this month, the Spanish coming-of-age drama "Salen las lobas" has attracted significant international attention with MoreThan Films acquiring its global sales rights. This milestone positions the feature to reach a broad audience following its debut on October 25 during the festival's Meeting Point competition.

"Salen las lobas" marks the feature directorial debut of Claudia Estrada Tarascó and stands out as the inaugural project under the newly formed Oceanika production banner. The film represents a collaborative European effort, produced jointly by entities from Spain, Belgium, and Denmark, bringing together creative and financial resources from multiple countries.

The narrative centers on Luna, a defiant adolescent girl confined to a juvenile detention center after allegations from her father. Within the facility’s confines, Luna forms a close-knit bond with three other inmates, and together they nurture aspirations of participating in a trap music contest in Barcelona. This plotline intertwines themes of friendship, resilience, and the search for belonging in an institutional setting.

Reflecting a commitment to authenticity, the film draws heavily from real-life experiences, notably those of the director’s sister, Valeria Estrada Tarascó, who endured juvenile detention at age 14. This personal connection informed Claudia Estrada Tarascó’s extensive four-year research into the realities faced by girls navigating juvenile justice systems. Notably, Valeria portrays Luna, supported by a largely nonprofessional cast, some of whom share backgrounds similar to their characters.

Music plays a pivotal role in the film’s storytelling, with original compositions crafted and performed by the young cast members themselves. The soundtrack, rooted in contemporary rap and trap genres, serves as both a narrative device and a form of personal expression for the protagonists, reinforcing the film’s youthful energy and emotional depth.

The ensemble includes emerging music artists such as Marrouch Laamarti, known professionally as Huda, alongside Vanessa Aisha Badji and Sara Martínez. Their presence is complemented by seasoned actors Rosa Boladeras and Alex Brendemühl, the latter portraying Luna’s estranged father, adding dramatic weight to the story.

"Salen las lobas" has already garnered recognition within the festival circuit, having won an award for best fiction project at the Atlàntida Film Fest. This accolade underscores the film’s potential impact and critical promise as it enters wider public view ahead of its theatrical release scheduled for December 11 in Spain. Distribution duties domestically will be handled by Silencio Cinema, with streaming availability through the platform Filmin and support from the Spanish public broadcaster RTVE.

The production has benefitted from support by several European cultural and film institutions, including Eurimages, Creative Europe MEDIA, Spain’s ICAA, and Catalonia’s ICEC, reflecting its strong positioning within the continent’s independent film landscape.

MoreThan Films, with operational bases spanning Barcelona, Berlin, and São Paulo, manages diverse international sales and is known for representing innovative fiction, documentary, and experimental titles. Their acquisition of "Salen las lobas" signals confidence in the film’s ability to resonate with global audiences, particularly younger viewers.

The collaborative nature of this project exemplifies modern European co-production models, which prioritize creative risk-taking and diverse artistic input beyond mere financial arrangements. Through this lens, "Salen las lobas" emerges as both a socially conscious drama and a fresh artistic statement from a new generation of filmmakers.