Filmax founder Julio Fernández dies aged 78

Spanish producer Julio Fernández, the founder of Spain’s Filmax group, has died aged 78.

A self-made businessman, Fernández turned the Barcelona-based company into one of Spain’s leading entertainment groups, spanning production, distribution, international sales and exhibition.

As a producer, he spearheaded the launch of the horror label Fantastic Factory, backing titles such as Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza’s [REC] franchise and Brad Anderson’s The Machinist, starring Christian Bale, as well as Transsiberian, featuring Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer.

President of the Filmax group until 2010, Julio Fernández died on Monday in Miami. He stepped down from the role in 2010, leaving the company in the hands of his brother Carlos and his daughter Laura.

Fernández acquired Filmax in 1987. The brand had originally been founded in 1953 by former MGM head of sales Alfredo Talarewitz and specialised in the distribution of Hollywood titles in Spain.

Under Fernández’s leadership, Filmax evolved into an active production company; he oversaw the production of more than 100 films and the distribution of over 1,000 features.

Alongside the Fantastic Factory label, which he created with US producer and director Brian Yuzna in 2000, Fernández launched Filmax Animation four years later. Based in his native Galicia, the animation arm produced projects including the Goya-winning feature El Cid: The Legend.

As an international sales agent, Filmax has a presence at all major markets and festivals. The company also expanded into exhibition with the opening of a Barcelona multiplex in the early 2000s.

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