National identity and international audiences: The case of Spanish science fiction cinema.

This article examines the Spanish science-fiction film *Automata* (2014), directed by Gabe Ibáñez, within the broader context of Spanish and European science-fiction cinema, focusing on its industrial strategies and international orientation. It highlights how Spanish science-fiction productions often rely on international financing, English-language scripts, and globally recognizable actors to compete economically, given the genre’s limited tradition and audience in Spain. The study compares *Automata* with other Spanish science-fiction films, noting that those achieving profitability tend to either diverge from typical genre themes, align with auteur cinema, or adopt Hollywood-style commercial elements, often earning more outside Spain than domestically. The article concludes that Spanish science-fiction films face challenges due to the dominance of Hollywood models and a historical disconnect between the genre and Spanish national cinema, necessitating transnational production strategies to reach wider audiences.