Valladolid's Merci Market Returns With 26-Film Slate for Sixth Edition

Valladolid's Merci market will hold its sixth edition from Oct. 28-30 at the Broadway cinemas in Valladolid, with more than 200 industry professionals expected, Variety reports. The 2026 edition presents a slate of 26 films planned for release in late 2026 and the first half of 2027.

Merci is organized by Valladolid and Adicine, whose 20 member companies represent most of Spain's independent film distribution sector. Adicine co-president Enrique Costa estimates that Adicine members' share of Spain's theatrical box office could reach 16%-20% by year-end, up from 12% through September 2025.

Among the titles on the Merci lineup are Gerardo Herrero's Carta Blanca from Karma Films, Javier Ruiz Caldera's 5 More Minutes from Filmax, and Florian Zeller's Bunker, starring Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem. International titles include Cristian Mungiu's Fjord, from Caramel Films and Filmin, and Beth de Araújo's Josephine, handled by A Contracorriente Films.

The newly named José Luis Cienfuegos Award for professional achievement will be presented to Golem veteran Otilio García on Oct. 29. This is the first Merci edition without Cienfuegos, who helped build the market and died before this year's event; the festival's new leadership is Javier H. Estrada and Mariona Viader.

Spanish Box Office Momentum

Elastica Films, co-founded by Costa, handles La Bola Negra, now Spain's fourth highest-grossing domestic film ever with over €29.9 million ($33.5 million). In October 2025, at Merci, it was reported that Adicine members had captured a 12% share of Spain's theatrical box office through September 2025.