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Sonic Alchemist triumphs at San Sebastian’s tech startup challenge
A new wave of innovation in sound design
The San Sebastian Film Festival has once again showcased the cutting-edge of technology in the audiovisual industry. This year, the spotlight was on Sonic Alchemist, a Lithuanian sound design platform that clinched the top prize in the European competition at the Zinemaldia & Technology Startup Challenge. Meanwhile, Dubme, a Spanish voice dubbing software, emerged victorious in the domestic competition. Both winners walked away with a substantial prize of €10,000 ($11,168).
Recognizing entrepreneurial excellence
In addition to the main awards, a special mention entrepreneur prize of €3,000 ($3,350) was awarded to Kaspar K1, a Danish company. Kaspar K1 has developed an innovative editing program that allows filmmakers to sift through thousands of hours of footage using text prompts, significantly streamlining the editing process.
Beyond the cash prizes
The winners are not just taking home cash. They are also conditionally eligible for free access to an incubation space for a year at one of the Business Innovation Centers (BIC) within the Basque Technology Park Network. Furthermore, they qualify for potential funding of up to €500,000 ($559,000) to further develop their projects, thanks to subsidies managed by the Basque BIC Network and supported by the Basque Government Department of Economic Development, Sustainability, and Environment.
The evolution of the Zinemaldia & Technology Startup Challenge
Since its inception in 2019, the Zinemaldia & Technology Startup Challenge has been a platform for showcasing groundbreaking technological advancements in the audiovisual sector. The first winner, LargoAI, set the tone with its AI-based innovations. Over the past five years, AI has transitioned from a niche technology to a dominant force in the industry, a trend that was evident in this year’s event.
The rise of AI and ethical considerations
Artificial intelligence was a recurring theme throughout the event. Many pitches included assurances that their software was developed within ethical and legal frameworks. This was a critical point, as the judges frequently questioned the legality and ethical implications of the products being presented.
Independent content creators: A growing commercial force
Another significant trend was the focus on independent content creators. Nearly half of the pitches were designed not only for large media companies but also included business plans targeting solo digital-first content creators such as YouTubers, influencers, and independent animators.
Spotlight on the winners
Sonic Alchemist uses computer vision to synchronize and adapt sound effects for films, creating editable multitrack sketches. This innovative approach allows for a more dynamic and efficient sound design process.
Kaspar K1 functions like a search engine for editors, scanning through vast libraries of footage to find specific shots. The program is set to evolve, eventually enabling AI-generated rough cuts using the original footage.
Other notable European pitches
- Filmanize: A UK-based platform that semi-automates various stages of the filmmaking process, from pre-production to script analysis and call sheet creation.
- Phont: A German software that revolutionizes subtitle display using AI to enhance on-screen text, similar to the emotive fonts used in comic books.
- Thol: A sound design suite that scans video footage to create matching sound effects, catering to both content creators and companies.
The Spanish winner: Dubme
Dubme delivered one of the most polished pitches of the day. Led by Elías Moreno, a former YouTube executive for Southern Europe, Dubme aims to eliminate language barriers in professional audiovisual content. The software combines artificial intelligence with human expertise to streamline and reduce the cost of dubbing.
Special mentions and innovative pitches
- Current Anima: A software suite that allows users to create 3D virtual videos using text prompts.
- Emotional Films: Developed by Spain’s Professor Octopus AI Lab, this new format blends video games and films, adapting to users’ emotions in real-time.
- Hulahoop: An investment platform that uses blockchain to catalog and manage investments in film projects, offering potential returns.
- Vocality: A generative AI tool that creates cloned voices, pushing the boundaries of voice technology.
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