Culture 4 min read By Lauren Baxter
Alegría and Urrejola Lead Alma Media Lab Slate
Chilean showrunners Francisca Alegría and Fernanda Urrejola, known for Prime Video's 'The House of the Spirits,' are heading the slate of Alma Media Lab, a new Miami-based publishing-to-screen company.
Chilean creators Francisca Alegría and Fernanda Urrejola, the co-showrunners of Prime Video's epic saga «The House of the Spirits,» are leading the slate of Alma Media Lab, a fledgling publishing-to-screen company based in Miami. The venture aims to develop books and series simultaneously, in close collaboration between authors and screenwriters.
Alma Media Lab is modeled after companies such as Hello Sunshine and Alloy Entertainment, which have successfully bridged the gap between publishing and film or television. The company's focus on developing intellectual property across both mediums from the outset marks a strategic shift in how entertainment content is created and adapted. By bringing writers and producers together early in the process, Alma Media Lab hopes to streamline development and create more cohesive storytelling universes.
The involvement of Alegría and Urrejola signals a strong creative push for the new company. Alegría is an acclaimed Chilean filmmaker whose debut feature «The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future» premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and received widespread critical praise. Urrejola is a well-known actress and producer in Chile, with a career spanning film, television, and theater. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and a distinct Latin American perspective to the international market.
Their current project, «The House of the Spirits,» is a television adaptation of Isabel Allende's celebrated novel. The book, which spans generations of the Trueba family, is a cornerstone of Latin American literature and magical realism. The Prime Video series is highly anticipated, and the showrunners' involvement in Alma Media Lab suggests they are looking to expand their influence in the global entertainment landscape. The series is expected to bring the sweeping, multi-generational story to a new audience, further cementing Allende's legacy in popular culture.
Alma Media Lab's Miami base positions it at a crossroads of cultures, ideally situated to tap into both the Latin American and North American markets. Miami has become a hub for entertainment companies targeting bilingual and bicultural audiences, and the new venture appears to be capitalizing on that trend. The company's publishing-to-screen model also reflects broader industry shifts, as studios and streamers increasingly seek out pre-existing intellectual property with built-in audiences.
While details about specific projects on the Alma Media Lab slate remain limited, the company's formation underscores the growing demand for diverse voices and cross-cultural stories in film and television. With Alegría and Urrejola at the helm, the venture is poised to become a significant player in the development of new narratives that resonate across borders. The duo's track record suggests a commitment to quality storytelling that bridges literary and visual mediums.
The announcement comes as the entertainment industry continues to evolve, with streaming platforms investing heavily in international content. Latin American creators have seen rising global prominence in recent years, and Alma Media Lab's launch is another sign that the region's talent is being recognized and sought after by major players. As the company builds its slate, industry observers will be watching to see how its collaborative model unfolds and whether it can replicate the success of its inspirations.
