Netflix has named Mariano Barroso, a respected figure in Spanish cinema and a former president of the national film academy, to lead the Film area for Spain and Portugal as content director. The streaming service highlighted this appointment as a clear signal of its ongoing commitment to Spanish cinema and to nurturing local talent within its long term strategy.
“We are excited to welcome Mariano Barroso to the Netflix team. His extensive experience as a director, screenwriter, producer, and former head of the Film Academy positions him to guide and strengthen our Spanish film slate,” stated Diego Ávalos, Vice President of Netflix Content for Spain and Portugal. “This is a strong pledge to Spanish productions and to homegrown talent.”
Barroso expressed enthusiasm about the role, noting that the new phase will amplify Spanish storytelling. He emphasized the importance of promoting Spanish talent and the country’s rich cinematic tradition, asserting that Spain possesses enormous potential for global audiences.
Joining Barroso in the leadership ranks are Veronica Fernández and Álvaro Díaz, who oversee Netflix fiction series and non-fiction, documentaries, and entertainment programs for Spain and Portugal. Both operate under the supervision of Diego Ávalos, the Netflix Content Vice President for the region.
Barroso, a prolific Spanish filmmaker born in Barcelona, has earned acclaim as a director, screenwriter, and producer. His career includes multiple Goya Award recognitions for works such as the feature My Soul Brother, which earned Best New Director, and The Invisibles, which was honored as Best Documentary, along with recognition for best adapted screenplay for another notable project. His filmography spans acclaimed titles including Ecstasy, The Wolves of Washington, The Day After Tomorrow, and The Invisible Line, among others. He served as president of the Spanish Film Academy from 2018 to 2022.
Educationally, Barroso studied film directing at renowned institutions including the American Film Institute and the Sundance Institute. He also explored theatrical direction at Madrid’s Teatro Español and the William Layton Laboratory. In a shift from directing to teaching, he has contributed to the next generation of filmmakers through academic and classroom settings.
In addition to his film work, Barroso directed several stage productions such as The Elephant Man and Closer and held leadership roles in directing departments at the Cuban Film School, the Ciudad de la Luz Study Center, and the Cinematographic and Audiovisual Departments for the Community of Madrid’s ECAM. These experiences underscore a career built on bridging creative practice with education, and on fostering new voices within the Spanish-speaking film community. [Citation attribution: Netflix press materials and industry coverage]