Good Friends Pictures was born from the meeting of two friends and film professionals who share a common vision: to tell character-driven stories with soul, emotion, and cinematic quality.
Mario and Iván met in New York City in the late 1990s, where they collaborated for the first time on an artistic project related to fashion. They stayed connected over the years, even as their careers developed in different countries. Eventually, with both firmly established – Mario as a director, screenwriter, and producer, and Iván as an actor – they reconnected in Madrid. That reunion marked the beginning of a creative partnership that would grow into something much deeper.
It all started with the filming of a TV series pilot, in which Mario invited Iván to play the lead role. Beyond their director – actor relationship, the project also brought them together as producers, laying the foundation for a working dynamic built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision of filmmaking.
In 2014, they took on their first major joint venture: Mario’s first feature film, Backseat Fighter. Iván not only starred in the film but also served as executive producer alongside Mario – further cementing a collaboration that has continued to thrive.
After more than a decade of working together, they officially founded Good Friends Pictures in 2021 – an independent production company that combines experience, artistic sensibility, and a strong commitment to quality. Since then, they have produced two feature films (New Earth & Eternal Love) and built a slate of new projects currently in development. The company continues to grow, driven by their creative synergy and shared vision.
We believe in the power of great storytelling – and in the value of creating with friends who share the same passion.
Good Friends Pictures is a Spanish Independent Production Company, with three feature films produced in Spain and an exciting slate of projects in development.
Backseat Fighter – 2016
«Backseat Fighter» an action, thriller, produced in 2016, winner of the “International Action Film Festival of Spain 2018”, distributed theatrically in Spain in LATAM and in the market of USA. The principal cast of the film are: Iván Sánchez (Bosé, Isaac) and Martina García (Homeland, Narcos).
New Earth – 2024
Their second feature film, produced in 2023, «New Earth» (Nueva Tierra) a fantasy thriller with a futuristic vision of what the world would be in one hundred years from now. Distributed theatrically in Spain. The principal cast of the film is: Iván Sánchez, Imanol Arias, Juan José Ballesta & Andrea Duro. The production is a renovate vision of human race in a wild state of being.
Eternal Love – 2025/2026
Their third feature film, produced in 2024, is «Eternal Love, a tragedy foretold» (Amor Eterno, una tragedia anunciada) an art & experimental film about the surrealistic experiences that drives us through the different states of love. With an artistic approach and with the support of two important Art Museums: Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum of Madrid-Spain & Jumex Museum of Contemporary Art of Mexico City.
Development
Good Friends Pictures tries each time to develop stories that talks about the human nature, theme that they continue to focus on their next productions (in search of co-production and financing) «The Oblivion» (El Olvido) a psychological thriller about madness, and «Goodbye Dad» (Adiós, Papá) a family drama about a son who fulfills his father’s last wish, among other productions.
The mix of the heads of Good Friends Pictures : Mario Pagano & Iván Sánchez, and their curiosity to connect with films that can travel worldwide, makes the production company a home where stories always have a place where everything can happens.
TEAM
Co-Founder, Executive Producer & Director
Co-Founder & Executive Producer
Production
Coordinator