2023 was a big year for us here at Palma Pictures; we collaborated on 39 projects (across scripted, unscripted, commercials and photo & motion) as well as celebrating our 30th anniversary!

Since our doors opened in 1993, the team has grown to over 60 full-time staff and a huge network of freelancers and crew from around the world. Our experience and growth helps drive us forward, as we find new ways to innovate, ensure our production practices are sustainable and efficient, and continue to work on exciting and varied projects with our clients.

Our CEO, Mike, has been with the company since it was still based out of a small office in La Lonja, Palma de Mallorca – so he has seen first-hand how Palma Pictures has expanded over the last thirty years. Mike attests the success of the company to “our fabulous team” (thanks, Mike!) who keep everything running smoothly. With staff based around the world (our HQ and studio facility is in Mallorca, with offices in Barcelona, Madrid and Lisbon (and a soon to be opened office in Santa Cruz, Tenerife). We now also have full time Executive Producers based in London, New York and Los Angeles, as well as EPs responsible for our French, Belgium, Eastern European and Scandinavian clients, with the team working across different time zones and languages to deliver our extremely broad range of services: “basically, everything imaginable to bring shows, movies or advertising campaigns to the screen.”

 

Our history is full of great collaborations with the biggest brands, film makers and creatives in the business, and last year was no different. We partnered with production companies such as: Left Bank Pictures, Yash Raj Films, Rogue, Pulse and Stink, worked with global agency networks such as Hakuhodo and Dentsu, and brought visions to life for clients including; Netflix, Paramount+, Honda and TUI. Our shoots spanned Spain, Portugal and the Canaries, shooting in varied locations; desert landscapes, mountain tops and the crystal waters of the Mediterranean.

 

 

The team also celebrated investment in new equipment, with the addition of the Arri Alexa 35 camera to our extensive inventory. Our casting department signed a large range of new people to their roster; and, we welcomed new team members: Dougal Messe – Executive Producer UK & Eire; Kino Reyes – Unit Production Manager of White Lines fame, Alberto Codes Pericas – Casting Director and Stephanie Howe, our new Marketing Manager. These additions will no doubt help to keep Palma Pictures evolving and growing in years to come.

 

 

2023 was not without its challenges; some projects really pushed our limits, testing our crews, filming practices and our ability to innovate. One particular project had a core premise that had never been done before – and that presented some complex challenges. As Cat Isakson, our Head of Production, explains: “Our process, ability to think outside the box, the professionals we chose, our methodology for the pre-production period for testing and trials… [these elements] were all key to making this project a reality. It was totally new to everyone, and it was incredibly difficult – and sometimes scary; but, we managed to make it work. The director, the production company, the agency and the client were thrilled with the production and the final film. Needless to say, all of us at Palma Pictures are immensely proud of what we achieved and that our clients rightly trusted that we could make the project a successful reality.” We look forward to sharing the work, when it’s launched this year.

As these reflections show, Palma Pictures has embraced the challenges of our ever-evolving industry. We’re excited to see what the future holds, and 2024 has gotten off to a great start, with shoots in Barcelona. Madrid, Palma and Tenerife are already underway!