01/12/2023 - The new works by Isabel Coixet and Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal's production company are among those selected by the supporting programme for Ibero-American digital animation

The participants of Ibermedia Next's evento at Ventana Sur (© Dan Damelio/Ventana Sur)

Fulfilling its goal of bringing together companies and professionals from both sides of the Atlantic, Ibermedia Next has selected projects from Spain, Italy, and Portugal, in collaboration with ten Latin American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru.

The presentation of the projects took place at the Ventana Sur in Buenos Aires, with the presence of prominent institutional figures, including Nicolás Batlle, president of the Ibermedia Programme and president of INCAA, and Jara Ayucar, director of marketing policies at the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts ICAA (Ministry of Culture of Spain).

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The beneficiary projects encompass various proposals, from teasers to virtual reality installations, highlighting their commitment to open-source tools and disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence. Animation! Ventana Sur served as the perfect stage to reveal these projects that promise to make a milestone in Ibero-American animation.

The selected projects are: Sophia (Sofía) (Spain/Argentina/Peru), produced by Atlántika Films, Rudo Company and Ambiro Producciones, directed by Isabel Coixet with artistic direction by Argentina’s Jesica Bianchi and starring Milena Smit; El rastro de tu sangre en la nieve (Spain/Mexico), produced Hampa Studio y Cine Tornado, Billed as the first animation adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez, by Elías Nahmías and one of his sons, Gonzalo García Barcha; Candida Foresta (Spain/Chile/Cuba), produced by Antaruxa, Bernardita Ojeda Producción Gráfica, Audiovisual EIRL and Estudios de Animación ICAIC, inspired by A Coruña-based painter and illustrator Perrilla (Talía García); Tierra milagrosa (Portugal/Guatemala), produced by BAP Animation Studios and Anarquía Visual and with Portugal’s David Doutel as one of the directors; Un viaje peligroso. La historia de Pepi (Spain/Bolivia), produced by Noon Films and with María Medem, Carlos Scolari and Matisse González in the creative team; Pink Noise (Spain/Chile), produced by La Mola Films and Bernardita Ojeda Producción Gráfica y Audiovisual; series Titán Tofu (Spain/Ecuador), produced by UniKo Estudio Creativo, Abano Producións and Mattegraphics, Urke (Spain/México), produced by Bígaro Films and SMC Studio and directed by Aitor Herrero, and Vigilados. La prisión de Koira (Spain/Chile/Peru), produced by Tourmalet Films, Apus Estudio and Pudoctopus Entertainment Spa and with Diego Guzmán and Javiera Risco in the creative team; VR projects El origen de la experiencia (Spain/México), produced by Cornelius Films and Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal’s production company La Corriente Del Golfo; Città Dolente. The Mirror (Italy/Argentina), produced by Ibrido Studio and Ojo Raro; Lúcido (Portugal/Brazil/Colombia/Spain/Italy/Denmark), produced by Cola Quente CRL, Delirium VR, Dinamita Animación SAS, Studio Kimchi, Robin Studio and Ourus Animation; Lo obscuro del fuego (Spain/México), produced by Agrup Lab, Pulsación Creadora Films and Polar Studio SC; and lastly, the documentary (and artistic exhibition) Il viaggio di Guaman (Italy/Bolivia/Peru), produced by L&C, Desfase Films and Producen Bolivia.

These projects will receive a total of €2,087,775 in financial support, in addition to a personalised professional mentorship program covering consulting, promotion, and dissemination, with support for key industry events. The Evaluation and Consulting Committee, composed of experts in the field, will play a crucial role in the detailed monitoring of each project.

With formats including teasers, pilots, short films, prototypes, and virtual reality installations, the projects reflect the diversity and collaboration between companies and professionals on both sides of the Atlantic. Spain leads with 10 projects, followed by Italy and Portugal with 2 each.

Beyond their technological innovation, these 14 projects stand out for their commitment to themes such as environmental defence, destigmatization of mental illnesses, and giving voice to underrepresented communities. With an impressive 43% of female directors, 57% of animation directors, and 71% of art directors, these projects also represent a significant advance in gender equality in the animation industry.

(Translated from Spanish)