Ibermedia Next Role in Ibero-American Animation Highlighted at Málaga

Mar 12, 2026 9:48am PT Ibermedia Next Consolidates as a Catalyst for Ibero-American Animation At Málaga's Mafiz industry platform, Ibermedia Next beneficiaries cast the fund as more than a financing line, highlighting its role in forging cross-border partnerships, workflows and a new regional animation network By Emiliano de Pablos Plus Icon Emiliano de Pablos Latest Spain’s Animation Sector Presses for Bigger IP Ambitions, Faster Rules and a Stronger Global Drive 23 hours ago Latido Boards Sales on Ángeles González-Sinde’s Málaga Competition Player ‘Blue Lights of Benidorm’ 3 days ago ‘Argentina, 1985’ Producer Cindy Teperman Boards Lorena Muñoz’s MAFF Project ‘Why Did You Come Back Every Summer?’ (EXCLUSIVE) 3 days ago See All Ibermedia Next panel, Málaga Credit – Emiliano de Pablos At Málaga’s Mafiz industry zone, Ibermedia Next emerged as more than a funding mechanism. Backed by European Next Generation funds through Spain’s Audiovisual Hub of Europe drive, the initiative is increasingly functioning as a practical engine for animated projects across Ibero-America, supporting not just development materials but also the cross-border alliances needed to move them forward. Moderating the session, Jara Ayúcar, director of marketing policy at Spain’s ICAA, described Ibermedia Next as “an innovative aid line in itself,” designed to support projects with a technological component tied to both production and artistic development. Related Stories 'I Went Back to Ibiza': Mike Posner on Hitting His Stride, Falling From Grace and His Long Recovery From Post-Pop-Star Depression (Guest Column) Across three calls, the program received 250 submissions and selected 43 projects, awarding up to €150,000 ($173,317) per title, along with mentoring, consultancies and access to key animation events. In Málaga, however, the clearest case for the initiative came from the beneficiaries themselves. Popular on Variety Speakers stressed that Ibermedia Next has done more than inject cash into the pipeline. It has helped redraw the industry map, encouraging creators to look laterally across Ibero-America rather than instinctively north toward the rest of Europe. Producer Charli Bujosa said that when he first entered animation, the impulse was always to “look north of Spain.” Ibermedia Next, he added, “blew my mind,” opening a bridge between Spain and Latin America and revealing the scale of creative talent across the region. Chilean director Nicholas Hooper, whose series “The Souls of Escazú” is among the supported titles, said the program’s online matchmaking platform effectively became “the Tinder of Ibermedia,” connecting producers who otherwise might never have found one another. That matchmaking, speakers suggested, has evolved into something more durable. Ayúcar said organizers had the feeling that “something is happening,” that a genuine Ibero-American animation network was beginning to take shape. Producer Mikel Mas was unequivocal: “It’s not a fantasy, it’s real, it’s happening.” For Mas, Ibermedia Next’s value lies in the time and structure it provides to test creative partnerships before committing to the long haul of an animated feature or series. The discussion made clear that co-development here is not simply about stacking financing. It is about building workflows, navigating different production cultures, refining scripts and identifying what each partner can bring without diluting a project’s identity. The Málaga conversation also suggested that Ibermedia Next, built on exchange, specialization, has sparked a growing confidence that Ibero-American animation can scale internationally without sacrificing its local voice. These are the Ibermedia Next titles presented in Málaga, offering a snapshot of the initiative’s range across formats, techniques and cross-border partnerships. “The Origin of Experience”Produced by Mikel Mas, “The Origin of Experience” is a 2023 Ibermedia Next beneficiary developed by Spain’s Cornelius Films and Hampa Studio with Mexico’s La Corriente del Golfo, headed by Gael Garcá Brnal and Diego Luna. The project proposes an immersive journey into Mexican mysticism and trance culture through VR, combining 2D, cut-out and stop-motion techniques within a Blender-based production process. Its use of technology is integral rather than ornamental, making it one of the clearest expressions of the innovation brief behind Ibermedia Next. “Lucila”Also produced by Mas, “Lucila” was backed in 2025 and is co-developed by Spain’s Cornelius Films with Chile’s Bernardita Ojeda and Brazil’s Copa Studio. Directed by Ojeda, the family feature reimagines the childhood of Gabriela Mistral through Lucila, a marginalized girl who escapes into a magical world where words carry power. Blending 2D and 3D animation, the project combines literary heritage, cultural specificity and broad family appeal. “Azul. La Última Semilla”Charli Bujosa produces “Azul. La Última Semilla,” a co-development between Spain’s Mansalva Films and Mexico’s Polar Studio. Conceived as an early step toward an animated feature for children, the project uses stop-motion and mixed media to tell a fantasy adventure shaped by migration, inequality and climate change. Its mix of urgent social themes and child-facing storytelling makes it one of the more outward-looking titles in the Ibermedia Next lineup. “The Day Ewan McGregor Introduced Me to His Parents”Produced by Ángeles Hernández, Lyona’s debut feature was backed by Ibermedia Next in 2024 as a co-development between Spain’s Mr. Miyagi Films, Brazil’s Copa Studio and Portugal’s Sardinha em Lata. The project fuses traditional animation with open-source tools including Natron and Blender. Previously selected for Animation Production Days in Stuttgart and Annecy 2023, it arrives with solid market validation and a distinctly personal creative identity. “Olivia and the Mysteries”Hernández also produces “Olivia and the Mysteries,” a 2025 beneficiary developed by Spain’s Érase una vez Films with Brazil’s Chatrone Latam, Peru’s Espacio Cultural de la Animación Peruana and Uruguay’s Chucho. Directed by Valentina Echeverría and Juan Carve, the feature uses a flat visual style executed entirely in Blender. The project reflects the increasingly multinational structure of Ibero-American animation development while keeping technology closely tied to design and workflow. “The Souls of Escazú”Directed by Nicholas Hooper H., “The Souls of Escazú” is a 2024 Ibermedia Next beneficiary developed by Chile’s Cubho Audiovisual with Spain’s Polygonal Factory and Forward Films and Brazil’s Productora do Leste. The animated documentary series explores the lives and suspicious deaths of four environmental activists in Latin America. Blending nonfiction urgency with animation craft, it stands as one of the most distinctive and politically charged projects discussed in Málaga. Jump to Comments ‘Scream 7’ Review: Neve Campbell Returns for a Back-to-Basics Sequel That’s a Little Too Basic JavaScript is required to load the comments. Loading comments...