Viacom International Studios (VIS) signed a first-look deal with Spanish screenwriter, director and producer Santiago Segura through his production company Bowfinger International Pictures. Under the agreement, VIS will get first revision rights and preferential acquisition over creative projects coming both from Segura and his prodco.

VIS inked the deal as part of ongoing efforts to develop premium content that engages international audiences.

Segura’s Spanish-language family comedy Father There Is Only One is one of the highest-grossing films in Spain this year. He’s also made his way into US theaters in recent years as an actor starring in films including Hellboy and Pacific Rim. 

First-look agreements have become a go-to for kids entertainment prodcos and platforms looking to grow content slates. Last week, LA-based prodco The Mother Company signed a first-look deal with eOne to produce two new YA shows with Drew Barrymore’s Flower Films prodco. In April, Paris-based prodco Lagardère Studios inked an exclusive first-look deal with online storytelling platform Wattpad to adapt its French-language content into new TV, film and digital projects. Also in April, Wattpad partnered with Sony Pictures Television on a first-look TV deal that gives Sony access to nearly half a billion stories on its platform. In May, meanwhile, Warner Bros. Pictures and Nordic Entertainment Group secured deals with burgeoning prodco Picturestart for first-look rights to its feature film and TV productions, respectively.