In a much-anticipated move, giant streaming service Netflix has confirmed the launch of a Mexico City office this year. Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos was in Mexico City at a Netflix forum to also announce that the company had more than 50 projects in different stages of production in Mexico, some original content, others co-productions.
"The richness of talent in front of and behind the camera in Mexico was key in our decision to begin our local production strategy with 'Club de Cuervos' four years ago," Sarandos said. "Since then, we have continued to expand our local investment and continue providing a platform for Mexican talent to be recognized around the world," he added.
Four local films in the pipeline are destined for Netflix's slate over the next two years. These include "Como Caído del Cielo," a musical comedy inspired by the songs of Mexican legend Pedro Infante, starring Omar Chaparro ("Overboard," "No Manches Frida") and Ana Claudia Talancón ("Perfectos Desconocidos") written and directed by Pepe Bojórquez; "Fondeados," with Marcos Bucay ("Club de Cuervos") in his feature film directorial and writer debut; "Se Busca Papá," a family film produced by Corazón Films; and "Ahí Te Encargo," a romantic comedy, written by Tiaré Scanda and Leonardo Zimbrón, produced by Traziende Films.
Netflix also has non-fiction projects in the works. Among them, "Rio Grande, Rio Bravo," an anthology of five documentary shorts that focus on human stories transpiring in the U.S.-Mexico border, executive produced by Gael Garcia Bernal. Other documentaries covering historical events, crime, sports and gastronomy will debut before the end of the year.
According to Sarandos, a slew of new projects will also be added to the slate of Mexican original series along wth stand-up comedy specials and more.
Get the full scoop on Variety.com.