By admin 
The dynamic Iberseries & Platino Industria confab, a significant fixture in the Iberian audiovisual landscape, is undergoing a strategic evolution, placing a greater emphasis on business-to-business (B2B) activities. Co-director Samuel Castro announced this significant pivot, indicating that the event, poised to surpass last year’s impressive 2,500 accreditations, is actively cultivating an environment conducive to deeper industry connections and commercial opportunities. "Over the past few years, we’ve focused a lot on fairly one-way conversations with speakers talking to an audience, but we’re now also starting to promote more B2B activities during the event: more business-focused opportunities and more spaces for people to meet and connect," Castro stated, underscoring the event’s commitment to facilitating tangible business outcomes for its participants.
This strategic shift is manifested in the introduction of new initiatives designed to foster collaboration and investment. Alongside established formats such as the co-production and financing forum, Iberseries & Platino Industria is enhancing its pitch sessions. A prime example of this is the newly launched Euro-Atlantic Series Co-Pro Pitch program. This innovative program meticulously curates a diverse array of primarily European television projects, aiming to propel their development through strategic industry introductions and potential funding partnerships. The selection process for such programs is critical, often involving rigorous evaluation of script quality, market viability, and the creative team’s track record, all of which contribute to the potential success of the presented projects.
Further bolstering its B2B offerings, the event is actively programming dedicated meetings for screenwriters. This initiative is a direct result of strategic collaborations with key industry organizations: the SGAE Foundation, Spain’s principal collecting society for authors, and DAMA, its counterpart representing audiovisual creators. These partnerships are instrumental in providing a platform for emerging and established writing talent to connect with producers, commissioners, and financiers. Specifically, fourteen screenwriters affiliated with Recreas, DAMA’s project incubator, will have the opportunity to present their work to industry professionals. These selected projects represent the culmination of a highly competitive selection process, having been chosen from nearly 300 submissions encompassing unreleased fiction, documentary, and animation projects. The sheer volume of submissions highlights the robust pipeline of creative talent in the region and the growing demand for compelling original content.
"All of this reflects the strategic shift we’re making this year," Castro emphasized. "I’d like to say that now that we’re in our sixth edition, the event has truly evolved." This evolution signifies Iberseries & Platino Industria’s maturation from a primarily networking and discussion forum into a comprehensive industry marketplace. The inclusion of new, high-profile players for the first time further validates this trajectory. Notable newcomers include broadcasting giants BBC and Arte, streaming powerhouse AppleTV+, and prominent Latin American broadcasters Telefe Argentina and Colombia’s Caracol TV. The presence of such influential entities signals a growing recognition of the event’s capacity to generate significant international business deals.
The anticipated attendance figures underscore the event’s expanding influence. The confab is expecting approximately 220 buyers, representing a diverse spectrum of global distribution and acquisition interests, alongside 50 film commissioners, crucial intermediaries for production and location scouting. The caliber of buyers attending is particularly noteworthy, featuring industry titans such as Amazon MGM Studios/Prime Video, Netflix, AMC Networks, Atresmedia, Banijay Entertainment, Canal+, Disney, Globo, Mediaset, Movistar Plus+, and ZDF Studios. This congregation of major buyers creates an unparalleled opportunity for producers and content creators to secure distribution agreements and explore co-production possibilities. The presence of these entities is a testament to the event’s success in attracting key decision-makers and facilitating meaningful commercial exchanges within the global audiovisual industry.
In parallel with its commercial ambitions, Iberseries & Platino Industria is actively engaging with the pressing issues shaping the future of content creation, particularly the burgeoning influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). "With regard to AI, Iberseries & Platino Industria is positioning itself within the broader conversation around regulation and the organizations that represent creators and producers," Castro stated. He further highlighted the event’s commitment to fostering responsible AI integration, noting that this year’s edition has seen the signing of agreements with the SGAE Foundation and DAMA, underscoring a collaborative approach to navigating the ethical and creative implications of AI.
The event’s stance on AI is clear: "The ability to create stories should always be based on a fully human, author-driven concept and development. AI should be used as a tool, not as an end in itself," Castro asserted. This perspective champions AI as an assistive technology rather than a replacement for human creativity, a sentiment that resonates with many artists and industry professionals concerned about the potential displacement of human talent.
To facilitate a deeper understanding and exploration of AI’s impact, Iberseries & Platino Industria is introducing a new AI Workshop for creators. This workshop will be led by Concepció n Diaz, Google’s Head of AI Trainings EMEA, offering practical insights and guidance on leveraging AI tools responsibly. Complementing this, the program will feature panels dedicated to examining new AI-driven production models, the complex regulatory challenges emerging from AI’s integration, and the novel narratives that AI can help to unlock. Juan Alia, co-director of Iberseries & Platino Industria with a focus on cinema while Castro oversees series, elaborated on these initiatives, emphasizing the event’s role in fostering informed discourse.
A compelling testament to the event’s forward-thinking approach is the world premiere of "Pelagius," Spain’s first feature film entirely crafted with generative AI. This historical epic, produced by Tiki Group, Elefantec Global, and Recrea Films, spans 97 minutes and integrates animation alongside AI-generated visuals. The film also showcases local talent, with all voice performances provided by Asturian actors. Directed and produced by Miguel Asensio Llamas, "Pelagius" recounts the epic struggle of Asturian clans, led by the titular Pelagius, as they bravely resist the encroaching Umayyad Caliphate. The film’s premiere at Iberseries & Platino Industria is a significant moment, not only for its technological innovation but also for its potential to spark conversations about the future of filmmaking.
"What’s most interesting about initiatives like ‘Pelagius’ is the conversation they open up about the future of audiovisual creation," Alia noted. "Generative AI is introducing tools that could transform development, production and post-production, and we’re still very much in an experimental phase." This experimental phase presents both immense opportunities and considerable challenges, requiring careful consideration of artistic integrity, ethical implications, and the evolving role of the filmmaker.
Beyond AI, Iberseries & Platino Industria is also attuned to evolving audience consumption habits, with a particular focus on "microdramas." Alia explained, "Microdramas are another example of how viewing habits are changing. Designed for fast, mobile-first consumption, they’re gaining particular traction in certain markets." The rise of short-form content, optimized for mobile devices and shorter attention spans, reflects a significant shift in how audiences engage with narrative, particularly younger demographics. This trend necessitates that content creators and platforms adapt their strategies to cater to these new viewing paradigms.
Alia reiterated a fundamental truth about the industry’s ongoing transformation: "The audiovisual business is changing fast, but storytelling remains at its core." This enduring principle serves as a guiding light amidst the technological and market shifts, emphasizing that compelling narratives will always be the bedrock of successful content.
This year’s edition shines a spotlight on Mexican cinema, designating it as the country of focus. Alia believes Mexico serves as an exemplary case study for the industry’s evolution, expertly blending creative diversity with profound production expertise. The nation boasts a deep well of production know-how, a strong contingent of technical talent, and increasingly robust international connections. "That’s why Mexico was a natural choice this year," Alia stated. "The aim is not only to celebrate its cinema but to showcase the ecosystem behind it and create opportunities for business, co-production and international reach. Mexico has long been a cultural reference in Latin America; the next step is to make its industrial capacity more visible and better connected to the global market."
Adriana Castillo, general coordinator of Platino Industria, echoed Alia’s sentiments, highlighting Mexico’s formidable assets. "Mexico has highly experienced professionals, strong infrastructure, studios, production services, post-production and VFX, and a proven ability to work on both national and international productions." This comprehensive industry infrastructure makes Mexico an attractive partner for global productions seeking high-quality services and collaborative opportunities.
The ambition for Mexico’s representation at the confab extends beyond mere exhibition. "We want Mexico to be seen not only through its films or its best-known names, but as a place where projects can be developed, partners found, and long-term alliances built," Castillo articulated. The focus is on fostering a holistic understanding of Mexico’s audiovisual sector, positioning it as a hub for development, partnership, and sustained collaboration.
"The value of the focus is precisely that: bringing the industry together with producers, studios, platforms, funds, and institutions from other countries, and creating space for those conversations," Castillo elaborated. "Mexico already has a strong international presence; the goal is to turn that into more projects, more co-productions, and lasting relationships." This strategic approach aims to leverage Mexico’s existing global footprint and translate it into tangible economic and creative outcomes for its audiovisual industry.
Reflecting on the broader challenges facing the global audiovisual sector, Alia offered a pragmatic assessment. "Getting films and series to their audiences is increasingly difficult in a crowded market, while financing has become more complex," he observed. In this environment, data plays a crucial role, but Alia cautioned against over-reliance, stating, "Data is informing decisions, but shouldn’t replace creative judgment." The industry must also grapple with pressing issues such as sustainability, evolving distribution models, and the relentless pace of technological change. Consequently, events like Iberseries & Platino Industria are deemed "vital for connecting markets, talent, and projects," serving as crucial nodal points for industry convergence and innovation.
The sixth edition of Iberseries & Platino Industria is scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 2. The event is meticulously organized by EGEDA and Fundación Secuoya, in close collaboration with FIPCA. Its considerable reach and impact are further bolstered by the sponsorship of the Madrid Film Office and Madrid Film Region, among other influential entities. This confluence of organizational support and sponsorship underscores the event’s significance as a premier platform for the international audiovisual community.
