Another notable international production is calling Prague home early this year, this time the Spanish-language feature Trampantojo, a crime comedy that brings together rising Spanish stars and Czech talent. The film is currently shooting on location across the Czech capital, with production expected to continue through mid-April.
Produced by Prague-based Seeya in collaboration with Mexican partner CandleWax Films, the project reflects a growing trend of cross-border filmmaking that positions the Czech Republic as a hub for international co-productions. The project has already drawn attention for its cast, which includes multiple actors known from Netflix’s hit series Elite, as well as a mix of Czech performers.
Directed by Mexican-Spanish filmmaker Rodrigo Zuñiga, Trampantojo expands on his earlier short film of the same name. The feature-length adaptation builds on that foundation with a larger international cast and a narrative that blends crime, comedy, and character-driven drama against the backdrop of contemporary Prague.
International cast and Prague-set story
At the center of Trampantojo is a story about three young Spaniards whose attempt to open a restaurant in Prague begins to unravel under financial pressure and a series of misfortunes. Their situation escalates further when they become entangled with the daughter of a Spanish gangster, setting off a chain of events that drives the film’s narrative.
The lead cast includes Arón Piper and Saída Bahida, joined by Marco Cáceres. Piper and Bahida, who both featured in Elite, are part of a new generation of Spanish-language actors gaining international visibility. Elite, which ran for eight seasons from 2018-2024, was one of Netflix’s biggest Spanish-language hits and topped the streamer’s charts in countries across the globe. Cáceres has also appeared in recent Netflix productions such as The Snow Girl and Drug Squad: Costa Del Sol.
But model and actress Ester Expósito, who also appeared in Elite, might be Trampantojo‘s most well-known cast member. Expósito appears in a supporting role as the gangster’s daughter, a character described as pivotal to the film’s turning point.
In comments accompanying the production, Zuñiga framed the project as a story about perception and survival. He described the film as exploring “family and illusion,” and how individuals reshape reality under pressure, with moral boundaries becoming increasingly fluid.
The ensemble cast also includes several established Spanish actors alongside emerging names, suggesting an effort to balance commercial appeal with independent filmmaking sensibilities. The production has been described as an ambitious attempt to bridge European and Latin American storytelling traditions within a single project.
Czech production base and local involvement
While Trampantojo is primarily a Spanish-language film, its Czech production base plays a significant role both behind and in front of the camera. The involvement of Seeya as a lead production company underscores Prague’s continued appeal for international shoots, offering both infrastructure and local creative collaboration.
According to local media reports, Czech actors Pavel Kříž and Petr Čtvrtníček will appear in supporting roles, alongside Sára Rychlíková. The film also features Czech singer and rapper Calin Panfili, reflecting a broader trend of incorporating local talent into international productions filming in the country.
According to producers, the project aims to maintain a distinct Czech presence despite its international scope. This includes not only casting but also narrative elements tied to Prague as a setting. The city is expected to feature prominently, with filming taking place on location throughout its streets rather than being confined solely to studio environments.
The film’s development follows the success of Zuñiga’s original short, which helped secure financing for the feature adaptation. Producers have indicated that the project is targeting audiences in both Europe and Latin America, highlighting its dual-market strategy.
Filming is scheduled to wrap in mid-April 2026, with a world premiere planned for summer 2027. A Czech theatrical release is currently expected in autumn of the same year.
Trampantojo is the latest in a series of notable productions shooting in the Czech capital in early 2026, joining Martin Scorsese‘s What Happens at Night, Netflix’s The Age of Innocence, The Russian, and the new Kennedy mini-series, the new John le Carré series Legacy of Spies, the fourth season of Foundation. Production on The Secret of Secrets, based on Dan Brown’s latest Robert Langdon novel, is also expected to begin in the Czech capital later this year.
Lead photo: Arón Piper at the premiere of El Correo in 2024 courtesy DepositPhotos.com / Ester Expósito at the 2025 Goya Awards courteys Wikimedia / Pedro J Pacheco
