Alex Lora to make family drama ‘Blue-Smurf Ice Cream’ for Spain’s Astra and Avalon outfits

EXCLUSIVE: Spanish production outfits Astra and Avalon are teaming with Finland’s Tack Films to co-produce Blue-Smurf Ice Cream, by Sundance short-film winner Àlex Lora.

Lora, a Screen International Spain Star of Tomorrow in 2022, won Sundance’s short film grand jury prize for The Masterpiece in 2024.

Blue-Smurf Ice Cream, written by Laia Soler, is described as a warm and tender family drama about adult siblings who struggle to connect as they are faced with dealing with their ageing parents. The film explores the impact of the “brain drain” sparked by Spain’s 2008 financial crisis.

Lora has extensive experience as a documentary filmmaker on films including Thy Father’s Chair and editor. Blue-Smurf Ice Cream will be his second solo fiction feature after Unicorns, and has the backing of Spain’s ICAA film institute and development development support from Catalonia’s ICEC, with regional broadcaster 3Cat on board.

Astra and Avalon reteam after co-producing The Good Daughter, the awaited second feature of Julia de Paz, a Screen Star of Tomorrow 2023, sold by Beta Cinema. Avalon produced Carla Simón’s Berlinale Golden Bear winner Alcarràs, as well as Paula Ortiz’s The Red Virgin and Elena Martín’s Creatura, winner of the Europa Cinemas Label at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2023.

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