Conecta Fiction: ’The Last Wolf,’ ‘Status Quo,’ ‘The Invisible Ink’ Win Big at TV Co-Pro Forum

variety.com:

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentPortugal’s “The Last Wolf,” Lebanon’s “Status Quo” and Uruguay’s “The Invisible Ink” proved big winners at the 6th Conecta Fiction & Entertainment, which will wrap Friday in Toledo, Spain.A potential part of a burgeoning production axis between Spain and Portugal, “The Last Wolf” won the largest prize of the night, a development deal at Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, worth an estimated €50,000 ($52,500) and a virtual invitation to set the project up as a co-production with Spain.The prize is a sign of the times.

Battling financial straights, RTVE is turning to co-production or license deals – with its peers in Europe (Germany’s ZDF Studios on Simon West Magellan epic “Boundless”) or go-ahead and more flexible U.S.

companies (VIS and Amazon’s Prime Video on “Parot”). Co-produced by SPi and Cascais-based Caracol Protagonista, two of Portugal’s most international production houses, “The Last Wolf” has a narco edge – telling the true story of Franklim Lobo, one of the greatest European drug lords – but looks relatable enough to not alienate mature audiences attracted by a state TV network.Spanish series have normally dominated Conecta Fiction awards as local companies prized local titles.

No more. Spreading far broader its largesse, CF&E prized two buzzed-up series: Conecta Fiction’s first Arab project, “Status Quo,” a Lebanese teen action drama involving three young female classmates from first-time director Gilbert Karam; and “From 6 to 8 PM,” an erotic dramedy from “Gomorrah” and “My Brilliant Friend” producer Fandango, written by the latter’s scribe, Francesco Piccoli.Two other titles won double at CF&E: “The Invisible Ink” from renowned Uruguayan film producer Fernando.