Spain’s cinematic collaboration: A glimpse into the future at Toronto
A taste of what’s to come
Spain is making waves in the film industry, and its presence at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is a testament to that. With a co-production forum and a sold-out seminar on incentives, Spain is giving industry attendees a preview of what to expect in September 2026 when the festival launches its official content market.
Networking and collaboration
On September 6, the third edition of the Do It the Spanish Way! International Co-production Forum brought together five Spanish producers with projects at various stages of development. These producers, already equipped with partners and partial funding, networked with Canadian and international producers and distributors.
The event, which saw over 75 attendees, began with an introduction and presentation of seven features. This was followed by dynamic one-on-one sessions where each Spanish producer met with at least eight companies. This forum is a golden opportunity for Spain to collaborate with other countries, especially Canada, which shares a wealth of talent and financial capacity.
Spotlight on Spanish talent
Spain’s involvement in TIFF is significant, with the country being the main or co-producer on nine festival titles. Notable mentions include Nacho Vigalondo’s “Daniela Forever” and Mike Leigh’s “Hard Truths”. Spain’s role as a leading provider of global streaming content makes this collaboration even more prudent.
Diana Cadavid, TIFF’s international programmer for Latin America, Spain, Portugal, the Caribbean, and Latin Diaspora cinema, moderated the 2023 Forum event. She highlighted the evolution of Spain’s program at TIFF, which now includes works-in-progress. This year, the Spanish government organizer had an open call for submissions, narrowing it down to a shortlist of qualifying productions. The selected projects were then chosen based on their fit for the attendees.
Looking ahead
With the content market event becoming a reality, more countries are expected to follow Spain’s lead in organizing similar programming. The anticipation is high for the outcomes of the Spain co-production event.
Featured projects and producers
Here are the producers, companies, and feature projects that participated in Toronto’s 2024 Do It the Spanish Way International Co-Production Forum:
Ana Eiras Domínguez, Sábado Películas
- With You (Contigo): A romantic comedy directed by Dani de la Orden, known for his work on “Elite”. The film follows a one-night stand in Ibiza that turns into a prolonged adventure as the lovers run from a secret organization. Watch the trailer.
Araceli Pérez Rastrilla, La Vida
- Strangers (La Cura): A horror drama by Gigi Romero about a woman whose boyfriend claims to have found a spiritual cure for his strange terminal illness. Watch the trailer.
- The Great Power (El Gran Poder): A dark comedy by Joaquin León about a woman who asks Jesus to help her buy a coveted brooch and becomes unexpectedly possessed. Watch the trailer.
Carles Torras Pérez, Zabriskie Films
- The Bind (Le Lein): A drama by Alejandro Rojas about a fleeing journalist who crosses paths with a pregnant immigration officer, impacting both their lives. Watch the trailer.
José Esteban Alenda, Solita Films
- Three Ages (Tres Edades): A drama by Jiajie Yu Yan about a 7-year-old boy reuniting with his parents in Barcelona and the challenges of forming an emotional bond. Watch the trailer.
- I Won’t Die for Love (Yo no moriré de amor): A drama by Marta Matute about a young woman’s reluctance to become a caregiver when her mother is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Watch the trailer.
Patricia Uclés Iranzo, Estrela Audiovisual
- Centelles’ Suitcase (La maleta de Centelles): A historical-biographical documentary by Pilar Pérez Solano exploring the stories behind a long-hidden trove of graphic images by mid-twentieth-century photojournalist Agusti Centelles. Watch the trailer.
Final thoughts
Spain’s active participation in TIFF and its strategic collaborations are setting the stage for a vibrant future in the global film industry. The Do It the Spanish Way! International Co-production Forum is just a glimpse of the potential that lies ahead. As the content market event becomes a reality, the anticipation for more innovative and collaborative projects continues to grow.