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Cuenca becomes the international media hub this week with the ninth edition of Conecta FICTION & ENTERTAINMENT (Cuenca, June 16-19, 2025), officially opened at the historic Church of San Miguel. The event, supported by Castilla-La Mancha, Unifrance, the Institut Français of Spain and the Canadian Embassy, brings together media professionals from Europe and the Americas for a week of networking, co-production opportunities and showcases.

During the Opening Ceremony, Patricia Franco, Regional Minister of Economy, announced the two €100,000 winners of the Castilla-La Mancha Feature Films and Series Competition: “Piedra, papel o tijera” (regional category) and “La Celestina” (national category). Director Géraldine Gonard highlighted France and Canada as focus countries, and praised the backing from the Ministry of Culture.

The first day featured strategic events like the Conecta Creative Lab, Conecta Think Tank, and a trilateral meeting between Canada, France, and Spain. In the evening, the public attended the premiere of Zorro, a Paramount+ and France Télévisions production, at the Teatro Auditorio José Luis Perales.

From June 17–19, professionals will gather for pitch sessions, keynotes, and industry panels. This year, 28 finalists from 438 submissions will present projects across five categories, plus six more via Fundación SGAE. Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala on June 18.

France and Canada lead seven sessions on co-production, market trends, and policies on diversity and inclusion. Highlights include keynotes from Gaumont TV and Glance-Médiamétrie, and a panel on the crime genre in French drama.

Conecta DIGITAL returns with panels on AI and legal issues, entertainment branding, and formats like Dancing with Robots, with awards and mentorships for standout digital projects.

Commissioners Uncovered features execs from Prime Video, NBCUniversal Telemundo, YLE, RAI, Globoplay, and others discussing content strategies and acquisitions. Panels from The Wit and Fabric will spotlight fiction and non-scripted trends.

Wednesday also features a panel on business models in production, and a regional showcase by Castilla-La Mancha Film Commission and FORTA.

Conecta FICTION FEST, the public-facing section, continues with screenings and panels. Highlights include literary adaptations with authors like Juan Gómez-Jurado and María Dueñas, and premieres of The Incredible Story of Julia Pastrana and Favàritx, the first series set in Menorca.