‘On The Road’

Source: Animal de Luz

‘On The Road’

EXCLUSIVE: Strand Releasing has acquired North American rights to David Pablos’ On The Road (En El Camino), which won the 2025 Venice Horizons best film and Queer Lion awards, from Berlin-based sales agent m-appeal.

Cinepolis has taken Mexican rights and will handle the film’s release across Latin America.

The Diego Luna-produced drama-thriller stars Victor Miguel Prieto and Osvaldo Sánchez. It follows Veneno, a rebellious young drifter who sleeps with truck drivers he encounters at roadside diners. When he takes a lift with Muñeco, a hard-edged driver who keeps to himself, their long journey exposes both men’s vulnerabilities.

It was described in Screen’s review as “an erotically charged, noir-infused thriller where an unlikely same-sex romance flourishes in the most unpromising of environments.”

These deals come ahead of the film’s next festival screenings, at Morelia International Film Festival in Mexico today (October 14), and at the Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci) in Spain in the Meeting Point section.

On The Road is produced by Animal de Luz Films’ Inna Payán and actor and producer Luna (Andor, Narcos), through his production company La Corriente del Golfo, which he co-founded with Gael García Bernal.

Marcus Hu, co-president of Strand Releasing, said: “[On The Road] is a compelling, edgy, and imaginative film, and David Pablos’ filmmaking is so assured that it completely fits our lineup of auteurs.”

Strand also recently picked up Lucio Castro’s Cannes Acid title Drunken Noodles from m-appeal, and Dag Johan Haugerud’s Golden Bear winner Dreams (Sex Love).

Miguel Rivera, global VP of programming and content at Cinépolis, added that the “powerful and brave film mixes violence and tenderness in a truly original story.”

On The Road was made through Animal de Luz in co-production with La Corriente del Golfo, The Maestros Cine, EFD Studios, Terminal Films, and Producciones Año Bisiesto, with support from Mexico’s Eficine tax incentive and the CNC.

Other deals recently closed include Italy (I Wonder Pictures), Taiwan (Filmware), Spain (Festival Films) and Germany (Salzgeber).

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