CELEB
A Fresh Voice for Independent Filmmakers
Two veterans from the Raindance Film Festival have joined forces to launch a new boutique publicity agency designed to help independent filmmakers navigate the increasingly complex world of film festivals. David Martínez, who has served as Raindance's executive director since 2021, and producer Jacky Orozco have unveiled Casa Leo PR. a London-based firm offering what they describe as "end-to-end and bespoke" services for a carefully curated roster of films and filmmakers.
"We're here to collaborate in a truly symbiotic way," Martínez told Variety, emphasizing the agency's commitment to working closely with clients rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Addressing a Critical Gap in the Indie Scene
The timing of Casa Leo PR's launch comes amid a fascinating paradox in the film industry. While global film production has actually increased since the pandemic. rising from an average of 7,677 films annually between 2017-2019 to 7,707 in 2025. box office revenues have plummeted 18% to €29.6 billion. This creates a challenging environment where more films are competing for fewer theatrical eyeballs, making festival presence and strategic publicity more crucial than ever.
Martínez and Orozco identified a specific pain point: many independent producers are so focused on getting their films made that they lack the time, expertise, or connections to effectively leverage festivals as launchpads for their work. "For independent filmmakers, it's very scary to even think about the costs for awards campaigns," Martínez noted. "Casa Leo PR can explain what they need to do, where they need to submit, what programs they need to know, what sort of press they need during that time."
Deep Roots in Both Markets
What sets Casa Leo PR apart is its founders' unique positioning at the intersection of European and Latin American cinema. Both Martínez and Orozco are Mexican nationals who have built substantial careers in the United Kingdom. Martínez joined Raindance in 2012 as part of the programming team for Latin American territories before eventually rising to executive director. Orozco, meanwhile, honed her skills in the cultural department at Mexico's Embassy in London, where she developed a passion for cultural diplomacy and connecting filmmakers with institutions and audiences.
"We've opened Casa Leo PR because we saw independent filmmakers struggling to connect the dots," Martínez explained. "I've been immersed in and built trusted relationships with programmers, the press and industry stakeholders across major local and global festivals, not only Europe, but also Latin America."
Launch Projects Showcase Bilingual Expertise
Casa Leo PR is already making waves with two high-profile inaugural projects. The agency recently partnered with Netflix to coordinate a special London screening of Maite Alberdi's upcoming Mexican documentary "A Child of My Own." Additionally, they're providing on-the-ground support for Mexican actor-turned-producer Humberto Busto at the Venice Film Festival for his Biennale College title "Tijuana Todavía". a project that marks Busto's evolution from his breakout role alongside Gael García Bernal in "Amores Perros."
The agency is starting deliberately small, working with just five clients plus Netflix, allowing for highly personalized attention to each project's unique needs.
A Home Away From Home for Filmmakers
The agency's name itself reflects its mission. "'Casa' means 'house' or 'home' in Spanish," Orozco noted. "We're both Latin, but have lived in the U.K. for a long time, so we can bring a homey welcome to Latin American filmmakers but also to independent filmmakers in the U.K. and beyond as well."
This philosophy extends to their service offerings, which encompass everything from festival strategy and submission guidance to in-house production and events management. including overseeing film galas, premieres, and industry activations. At its core, Casa Leo PR aims to ensure films reach the right people at the right time through carefully crafted, bespoke strategies.
"At Casa Leo PR, we see every film as a unique story with its own path to an audience," Orozco said. "Our role is to navigate that path alongside filmmakers and partners, aligning strategy and on-the-ground execution so that festival journeys feel intentional, impactful, and creatively true to the work."
