Markets

The ninth edition of Conecta FICTION & ENTERTAINMENT has officiallyclosed in Cuenca (Castilla-La Mancha, 16-19 June, 2025), leaving behind four vibrant days of activity that reaffirm its role as a vital hub for international co-production and innovation in the audiovisual sector. With 700 professionals from 31 countries in attendance, the event marked a triumphant return to its original spirit: celebrating talent, forging meaningful connections, and embracing the transformative momentum shaping the content industry.

Supported once again by the Government of Castilla-La Mancha – now for the fourth consecutive year – Conecta 9 underlined the region’s ongoing commitment to growing its audiovisual footprint. Over the course of the event, participants engaged in over 2,000 meetings, 17 panels, 9 keynotes, 7 pitch sessions, 4 Commissioners Uncovered gatherings, 3 international showcases, and 3 exclusive series screenings. These numbers are a clear indicator of the dynamism and scope that characterized this year’s edition.

France and Canada, spotlighted as the 2025 focus countries, were central protagonists across the agenda, generating multiple networking opportunities and cross-continental alliances with key players from Europe, Latin America, and North America. Portugal, last year’s featured country, also returned in force, further validating Conecta’s strategic value for long-term collaboration.

In her closing statement, Géraldine Gonard, Director of Conecta FICTION & ENTERTAINMENT, reflected on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry:“We are witnessing a time of deep transformation. Economic shifts, technological evolution, and new audience behaviors compel us to rethink our models. But despite the uncertainty, the past four days have shown that innovation, quality, and creativity are our most powerful tools. International events like ours must evolve alongside the industry—and Conecta is ready to meet that challenge.”

This year’s edition boasted a solid European-American participation ratio (70%-30%) and a strong national presence (65%), reflecting the event’s dual role as both a global meeting point and a promoter of local talent.

Among the standout moments was the Conecta CREATIVE LAB held on opening day, which hosted two high-level gatherings: the sixth edition of Conecta THINK TANK and a Trilateral Meeting between institutions and companies from France, Canada, and Spain, all aimed at fostering new models of international collaboration and co-production.

Conecta also expanded its public-facing presence with Conecta FICTION FEST, a successful new initiative that brought international series screenings and author panels to Cuenca’s citizens. The enthusiastic response from local audiences reinforced the event’s growing cultural footprint beyond the professional sphere.

Thursday’s closing day maintained the high level of engagement with impactful sessions such as Los Desayunos de la Academia, focusing on the global success of Spanish content, with contributions from NBCUniversal Telemundo, RTVE, Banijay Iberia, and Mediaset España. British expert Charlotte Berman delivered a compelling keynote on marketing strategies for reality formats, while Conecta DIGITAL closed with a forward-thinking Conecta WOMEN panel and a standout format showcase featuring “Dancing with Robots” by Phileas and Beta Entertainment Spain—highlighting how AI is reshaping entertainment narratives.