Iberseries & Platino Industria Expands Focus on Co-Production, Literary IP, and AI

Introduction

Madrid is once again the epicenter of the Spanish- and Portuguese-language audiovisual industry with the sixth edition of Iberseries & Platino Industria. This prominent event, running from Tuesday through Friday, gathers producers, creatives, and executives from across Europe, Latin America, and the U.S. to explore opportunities in the burgeoning content market. Organized by the Secuoya Foundation, EGEDA, and FIPCA, the festival is not just a showcase but a dynamic platform for business, networking, and innovation, featuring keynote addresses, panel discussions, screenings, and pitching sessions.

Key Details

• New Pitch Sessions: Introduction of the Euro Atlantic Series Co-Pro Pitch, focusing on European series seeking international co-production and financing, and the Fundación SGAE Pitch Session for Spanish-speaking showrunners.
• Literary Adaptation Focus: A new Literary Works Pitch for Audiovisual Adaptation aims to bridge the gap between the publishing and audiovisual sectors, connecting publishers with producers seeking compelling stories.
• AI Integration: The event will prominently feature discussions on Artificial Intelligence, including a workshop on AI for Creators led by Google and a conference on AI in Action: New Production Models.
• Global Reach: Enhanced European dimension with participation from major companies like Banijay, Mediawan, Beta, ARTE, and RAI, alongside a growing interest in co-productions with Spain.
• Country in Focus: Mexico is highlighted, showcasing its production capabilities, incentives, and creative talent as a partner for international projects.
• Key Speakers: Notable participants include Luis Fernández (NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises), Pedro Pina (YouTube EMEA), and directors from prominent series like Emily in Paris and The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Background

Iberseries & Platino Industria has evolved from a regional event into a global industry platform. This year's edition emphasizes a strategic shift towards becoming a more business- and networking-driven event. Co-directors Samuel Castro, Juan Alía, and Adriana Castillo highlighted the desire to make the event “useful at different stages of a project’s journey,” aiming to provide creators with the necessary conditions for growth, including financing, partnerships, and distribution.

Impact Analysis

The expansion into literary adaptations addresses a clear market demand for intellectual property (IP). As producers and platforms increasingly seek established narratives, the event provides a crucial meeting point between publishers and the audiovisual industry. This initiative not only facilitates rights sales but also fosters long-term relationships and the international circulation of literary catalogues. Similarly, the Euro Atlantic Series Co-Pro Pitch directly supports the globalization of European fiction, docuseries, and animation projects, reflecting the industry's growing international scale.

The inclusion of AI discussions, particularly from a creator-centric perspective, signals the industry's proactive approach to integrating new technologies. Sessions led by Google representatives aim to demystify AI's role as a tool for enhancing storytelling and developing new production models. This focus is critical as the industry navigates the complexities of AI's impact on creative processes and business strategies.

Broader Context

The event underscores the growing global appeal of Spanish- and Portuguese-language content. Examples like Argentina's El Eternauta and Brazil's O Agente Secreto demonstrate that culturally specific stories can achieve international success. The presentation of HBO Max's Brazilian series Véspera, based on a bestselling novel, further exemplifies the potential for local narratives to resonate universally through compelling themes and relationships.

Furthermore, Iberseries & Platino Industria is actively fostering connections between traditional audiovisual players and emerging digital communities. The collaboration between Disney+ and Luzu TV for the series Somos así, la serie de Nadie dice nada highlights the trend of transforming live-streaming phenomena into scripted fiction, posing new challenges and opportunities for authenticity and audience engagement.

Future Outlook

The event's organizers are committed to fostering long-term growth and impact. The success of Iberseries & Platino Industria will be measured not just by attendance figures but by the realization of projects initiated at the event. The focus on co-productions, literary IP, and strategic technological integration positions the event as a vital catalyst for the future development of the audiovisual sector. The emphasis on Mexico as the Country in Focus, promoting its production infrastructure and incentives, suggests a continued effort to attract international collaboration and investment.

The participation of major global players like Netflix and YouTube, alongside European powerhouses and emerging digital platforms, indicates a forward-looking approach. Initiatives like FORMA, supported by Netflix, aim to build a more diverse and equitable talent base across Ibero-America, addressing the crucial need for professional development and access within the industry.

Conclusion

Iberseries & Platino Industria 2024 is poised to be a pivotal event, reinforcing Madrid's status as a key international hub. By expanding its scope to include literary adaptations, strengthening co-production opportunities, and addressing the implications of AI, the festival is adapting to the evolving demands of the global content market. The core principle remains “usefulness”—ensuring that professionals leave with tangible opportunities, fostering synergies, and ultimately bringing compelling stories from the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking world to audiences worldwide.

“Ultimately, what matters to us is that all of this is useful. The number of accredited professionals is important, of course, as is the event’s international character, but the real assessment does not end on [date]. What will truly make us happy is to look back in two or three years and see that projects presented here in a pitch, a forum or a meeting have become reality, have reached a cinema, a television channel or a platform and, above all, have reached audiences.”