A Contracorriente Films
A Contracorriente Films is a Barcelona-based film distribution and production company founded in 2009, operating as the leading Spanish-capital film distributor. It manages a 1,500+ title catalog across theatrical, streaming, TV, and physical media, owns the Cines Conde Duque and Verdi cinema chains, and serves adult urban audiences seeking European and independent cinema.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersBarcelona, Spain
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What A Contracorriente Films does
A Contracorriente Films, S.L. is a privately held film distribution and production company founded in 2009 in Barcelona, operating as the leading Spanish-capital film distributor in the theatrical market. The company manages a catalog of over 1,500 titles — spanning European independent cinema, restored classics from masters such as Fellini, Bergman, and Tati, family animation, and art documentaries — and reaches audiences through a vertically integrated, multi-window model: theatrical release in Spanish cinemas, then streaming via Netflix, Movistar Plus+, and its own ACONTRA+ subscription platform, followed by television broadcast (RTVE, Canal Sur) and physical media (DVD, Blu-Ray). Since 2014, the company has extended downstream into exhibition as the majority owner of Cines Conde Duque and Verdi cinema chains in Barcelona and Madrid, and also organizes the BCN Film Festival at Cine Verdi.
Revenue is generated across five streams: theatrical distribution fees, streaming platform licensing royalties, television broadcast rights, physical media sales, and cinema chain operations (ticketing, concessions, event programming). Distribution rights are primarily acquired for the Spanish market, with selective international sales. Co-production activity has intensified in 2026, with partnerships for "The Beloved" (Caballo Films, Le Pacte, Cannes premiere with Javier Bardem), "The King's Tailor" (Bowfinger, Esto También Pasará, with Alec Baldwin), and the Vatican Television Center documentary on Pope Francis. The company's audience is the adult, urban, culturally engaged Spanish viewer underserved by major studios, supplemented by family and documentary segments.
The technology layer is built on the third-party Usheru platform for web, VOD, and digital content delivery. The company maintains GDPR/LOPDGDD compliance and operates a group structure that includes Watson and Holmes, Espectarama S.A., Selecta Visión S.L.U., and Gestión de Contenidos Virtuales S.L. for cross-promotional activities tied to the Club Acontrafilms membership program. The CEO and co-founder is Adolfo Blanco, with the founding team drawn from Notro Films/Vértice 360, Grupo Planeta, and Filmax. Recent critical momentum includes multiple 2026 Goya Awards, the 2026 Lux Audience Award, and the 2025 Europa Cinemas Label at Karlovy Vary.
A Contracorriente Films firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- A Contracorriente Films
- Legal name
- A Contracorriente Films, S.L.
- Website
- https://acontracorrientefilms.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- A Contracorriente Films is a Barcelona-based film distribution and production company founded in 2009, operating as the leading Spanish-capital film distributor. It manages a 1,500+ title catalog across theatrical, streaming, TV, and physical media, owns the Cines Conde Duque and Verdi cinema chains, and serves adult urban audiences seeking European and independent cinema.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
A Contracorriente Films industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Film Distribution
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (512120)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Theatrical Distribution (Domestic) (MPADAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Transactional VOD Distribution (TVOD) (MPADAJAF), International TV Program Distribution (Sales/Output Deals) (MPABAMAD), International Sales & Licensing (Territory Pre-Sales) (MPADAJAC), Catalog / Library Distribution & Re-Release (MPADAJAK), Business, Politics & Current Affairs Documentaries (MPADADAJ)
Keywords
Where A Contracorriente Films is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Barcelona
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
A Contracorriente Films business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Theatrical Distribution: Revenue from theatrical releases in Spanish cinemas. As the leading Spanish capital film distributor, the company releases films in theaters before secondary distribution windows.
- Streaming Platform Licensing: Licensing content to streaming platforms including Netflix, Movistar Plus+, and their own ACONTRA+ platform after theatrical window.
- Television Rights: Sales of broadcast rights to television networks including RTVE and Canal Sur.
- Physical Media Sales: Distribution of DVDs and Blu-Ray editions, particularly for classic films and catalog titles.
- Cinema Chain Operations: Since 2014, operates cinema chains including Cines Conde Duque and Verdi, with presence in Barcelona and Madrid.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
A Contracorriente Films product offering
Product offeringCore offering
A Contracorriente Films acquires distribution rights for European, independent, classic, family, and documentary films and releases them in Spanish theaters before secondary windows. It licenses content to streaming platforms (Netflix, Movistar Plus+) and television broadcasters, distributes DVDs and Blu-Ray editions of catalog titles, and operates its own cinema chains (Cines Conde Duque and Verdi) and subscription streaming platform ACONTRA+. The company manages a catalog of more than 1,500 titles.
Product overview
A Contracorriente Films is a Spanish film distribution and production company founded in 2009 in Barcelona, operating as the leading Spanish-capital film distributor across theatrical, VOD, television, and home video channels. The company distributes its portfolio of over 1,500 titles—including European, independent, classic, family, documentary, and art-house films—through multiple platforms: the core A Contracorriente Films distribution service (En Cines for theatrical, En Casa for streaming/VOD, and Catálogo for the full library), the subscription streaming platform ACONTRA+, the event cinema platform ACF Eventos (ARTE), and the e-commerce store ACF Tienda. The company's web and streaming infrastructure is powered by Usheru technology. Since 2014, A Contracorriente Films also directly operates cinema chains Cines Conde Duque and Verdi in Barcelona and Madrid.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ACONTRA+: Streaming platform for on-demand viewing of the company's film catalog
- ACF Eventos
- Tienda ACF
Products and services
- A Contracorriente Films Film Distribution Core theatrical distribution service that acquires Spanish distribution rights for European, independent, classic, family, and documentary films and releases them across Spanish cinemas, streaming platforms, television, and home video (Blu-Ray/DVD).
- ACONTRA+ Subscription streaming service operated by A Contracorriente Films offering on-demand access to the distributor's catalog of films across multiple viewing windows for individual Spanish consumers.
- ACF Eventos (ARTE) Event cinema brand dedicated to special theatrical programming such as the BCN Film Festival and other curated cultural events held at the company's owned cinema chains.
- ACF Tienda E-commerce storefront operated by A Contracorriente Films selling merchandise and related products linked to the company's catalog and cinema brands.
- Cines Conde Duque and Verdi Cinema Chains Owned and operated cinema exhibition business with locations in Barcelona and Madrid, providing a captive distribution channel for the company's film catalog and curated programming.
Quantifiable outcome
- €3.7 million box office gross for 'The Dinner' in Spain
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use A Contracorriente Films
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
A Contracorriente Films technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
A Contracorriente Films partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.
- Esto también pasarácoreProduction partner for 'The King's Tailor', the directorial debut of actor Pedro Casablanc. Film set in 1960s Casablanca starring Jesús Carroza, Natalia de Molina, Alberto Ammann, with special appearance by Alec Baldwin.
- Bowfinger International PicturescoreProduction partner for 'The King's Tailor'. Also handles distribution alongside RTVE, Canal Sur, Movistar Plus+, and Netflix.
- Vatican Television CentercoreCo-developed documentary 'Pray For Me: Pope Francis' Story' tracing Jorge Bergoglio's journey to becoming Pope.
- NOS LusomundoregionalAcquired Portugal distribution rights for 'Pray For Me: Pope Francis' documentary at Cannes Market.
- Latido FilmsregionalIn discussions with A Contracorriente for potential international rollout deal for thriller 'Hour and Twenty'.
- Caballo FilmscoreCo-production partner for 'The Beloved' (El ser querido) starring Javier Bardem, premiered at Cannes 2026.
- Le PactecoreFrench co-production partner for 'The Beloved'. Film received 7-minute standing ovation at Cannes premiere.
- CinemArtregionalReleased 'Broken Voices' in Czech Republic and Slovakia, where film exceeded €1 million at box office.
- Watson and HolmesminorCompany within group for promotional activities and data sharing for Club Acontrafims members.
- Espectarama S.A.minorCompany within group for promotional activities and data sharing for Club Acontrafims members.
- Selecta Visión S.L.U.minorCompany within group for promotional activities and data sharing for Club Acontrafims members.
- Gestión de Contenidos Virtuales S.L.minorCompany within group for promotional activities and data sharing for Club Acontrafims members.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
A Contracorriente Films competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Filmax: Barcelona-based Spanish film production and distribution company with a comparable multi-channel distribution model spanning theatrical, home video, and international sales. Closest direct peer given shared Spanish origin, similar size, and overlapping focus on Spanish and European genre/independent content.
- Tripictures: Madrid-based independent Spanish film distributor specializing in Spanish and European arthouse/independent cinema with theatrical release and home entertainment distribution. Directly comparable in market positioning, content focus, and distribution scope to A Contracorriente Films.
- Begin Again Films: Madrid-based independent Spanish film production and distribution company focused on arthouse and auteur cinema. Similar editorial positioning to A Contracorriente with theatrical distribution in Spain and selective international sales partnerships.
- BTeam Pictures: Madrid-based Spanish film production, sales, and distribution company specializing in independent and genre cinema. Comparable in size, model (production plus theatrical distribution plus international sales), and focus on Spanish-language auteur and commercial titles.
Broad incumbents
- Atresmedia Cine: Film distribution arm of Spanish media conglomerate Atresmedia, releasing major studio and local productions theatrically in Spain. Operates at significantly larger scale than A Contracorriente but competes for the same exhibition slots and audience attention in the Spanish market.
- Mediapro: Major Spanish audiovisual production and distribution group with film, television, and international sales operations (The Mediapro Studio). Significantly larger than A Contracorriente but competes for Spanish production talent, festival premieres, and distribution partnerships.
- StudioCanal: European film production and distribution major (Canal+ subsidiary) with one of the largest independent film libraries globally. Comparable in the multi-channel distribution and library monetization dimensions but operates at substantially greater scale across multiple territories.
Others
- Yelmo Cines: Largest cinema exhibition chain in Spain with venues across major cities. Directly comparable to A Contracorriente's owned Cines Conde Duque and Verdi cinema operations and a key exhibitor partner for A Contracorriente's theatrical releases in Spain.
- Cinesa: Major Spanish cinema exhibition chain owned by Odeon Cinemas Group. Comparable to A Contracorriente's cinema chain operations and serves as both a direct competitor in exhibition and a key account for theatrical distribution partnerships.
Emerging players
- GKIDS: US-based independent distributor of arthouse, animation, and international cinema with theatrical release and home video operations. Comparable in niche editorial focus on quality independent and international films, though operating primarily in North America rather than Spain.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
A Contracorriente Films social profiles
Digital presenceA Contracorriente Films compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
A Contracorriente Films financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
A Contracorriente Films leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
A Contracorriente Films subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
A Contracorriente Films funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
A Contracorriente Films M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about A Contracorriente Films
What does A Contracorriente Films do?
A Contracorriente Films acquires distribution rights for European, independent, classic, family, and documentary films and releases them in Spanish theaters before secondary windows. It licenses content to streaming platforms (Netflix, Movistar Plus+) and television broadcasters, distributes DVDs and Blu-Ray editions of catalog titles, and operates its own cinema chains (Cines Conde Duque and Verdi) and subscription streaming platform ACONTRA+. The company manages a catalog of more than 1,500 titles.
Is A Contracorriente Films a public or private company?
A Contracorriente Films is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was A Contracorriente Films founded?
A Contracorriente Films was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is A Contracorriente Films based?
A Contracorriente Films is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does A Contracorriente Films make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Theatrical Distribution is the primary driver. The others are streaming Platform Licensing, television Rights, physical Media Sales and cinema Chain Operations.
Who are A Contracorriente Films's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Filmax, Tripictures, Begin Again Films and BTeam Pictures. Broad incumbents are Atresmedia Cine, Mediapro and StudioCanal. Others are Yelmo Cines and Cinesa. GKIDS is listed as an emerging player.
Does A Contracorriente Films have an API?
No public API is recorded for A Contracorriente Films.
What industry is A Contracorriente Films in?
A Contracorriente Films's product category is Independent Film Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAJAA, Theatrical Distribution (Domestic), with a secondary code of MPADAJAF, Transactional VOD Distribution (TVOD). Its NAICS code is 51212 and its SIC code is 7822.