Casa Leo PR Launches Boutique Festival Agency
· news
The Festival Circuit’s New Power Players: Casa Leo PR
The launch of Casa Leo PR, a boutique publicity and strategy agency founded by Raindance executives David Martínez and Jacky Orozco, has sent ripples through the European and Latin American indie film scenes. This development marks a significant shift in how films are marketed and promoted to festival-goers, highlighting the increasingly complex landscape of global cinema.
The number of films produced worldwide continues to rise, from an average of 7,677 between 2017-19 to 7,707 in 2025. However, this surge has not translated into box office success, with global ticket sales plummeting 18% to €29.6 billion ($34.0 billion) in 2025. Amidst these challenging times for filmmakers, Casa Leo PR is poised to offer much-needed guidance and expertise.
Martínez and Orozco’s agency promises a bespoke approach to festival strategy, tailoring its services to each film’s unique needs. By combining their knowledge of the global festival circuit, they aim to bridge the gap between filmmakers and industry professionals, helping films reach their intended audience more effectively.
Casa Leo PR’s launch coincides with an era of unprecedented competition in the film festival landscape. The rise of streaming platforms has made it difficult for independent filmmakers to navigate the complex web of awards and nominations. As Martínez notes, “For independent filmmakers, it’s very scary to even think about the costs for awards campaigns.” Casa Leo PR seeks to alleviate this burden by providing expert advice on submission strategies, press management, and festival planning.
The agency’s focus on supporting Latin American filmmakers is particularly significant, given the often-overlooked region’s rich cinematic heritage. Martínez and Orozco’s bilingual and bi-cultural backgrounds have enabled them to establish trusted relationships with programmers, press, and industry stakeholders across major festivals in Europe and Latin America.
Their expertise will be invaluable in helping Casa Leo PR’s clients navigate the challenges of festival circuit marketing. The agency is currently working with a select number of clients, including Netflix and Mexican filmmaker Humberto Busto.
The key to Casa Leo PR’s success lies not only in its founders’ industry expertise but also in their ability to connect with filmmakers on a personal level. As Orozco emphasizes, “At Casa Leo PR, we see every film as a unique story with its own path to an audience.” This empathetic approach will be essential in helping Casa Leo PR’s clients overcome the challenges of festival circuit marketing.
The arrival of Casa Leo PR marks a new chapter in the evolution of film festival promotion. As the global cinema landscape continues to shift, Martínez and Orozco are poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of independent filmmaking.
Reader Views
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
The launch of Casa Leo PR is a timely reminder that the festival circuit's focus on awards and nominations has become a recipe for disaster for many independent filmmakers. As more films flood the market, the competition for limited attention spans has never been fiercer. What's missing from this narrative is the actual cost savings for clients - how much will they be paying to outsource their festival strategy? Transparency about pricing and value-added services would have strengthened Martínez and Orozco's pitch.
- ADAnalyst D. Park · policy analyst
While Casa Leo PR's boutique approach may bring much-needed expertise to independent filmmakers, its success hinges on navigating the increasingly blurred lines between festival prestige and streaming platform validation. With the rise of global festivals like Busan and Rotterdam, what constitutes a "festival circuit" is no longer clear-cut. Will Casa Leo PR prioritize traditional festival success or adapt to emerging trends, where online visibility and audience engagement take center stage? The agency's bespoke approach raises more questions than answers regarding its readiness for this evolving landscape.
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
While Casa Leo PR's boutique agency model is certainly innovative, one can't help but wonder about its ability to scale and support the growing number of films that need festival marketing guidance. The article mentions the rise of streaming platforms as a significant challenge for indie filmmakers, but what about the impact on traditional festival circuits? Will Casa Leo PR's bespoke approach be enough to help smaller festivals and newer entrants compete with established players in this crowded landscape?