Q: Géraldine, Conecta moves to Cuenca this year. What prompted this change of location?
Géraldine Gonard: We've been hosted by Castilla-La Mancha since 2022, and this year, Cuenca was the natural choice. It’s a stunning city with historical depth and strong institutional support. Our aim has always been to strengthen ties between creativity, location, and production. With the backing of the Regional government the Castilla-La Mancha Film Commission and the local authorities, Cuenca provides the perfect setting to continue growing Conecta as a bridge between countries and creators.
Q: What can attendees expect from the ninth edition of Conecta FICTION & ENTERTAINMENT?
Gonard: This year, the programme is more ambitious than ever. We’ll host 55 activities and welcome nearly 100 international speakers. France and Canada are our focus countries, with a combined delegation of 60 companies—representing the most significant presence of these two countries at any international co-production event held in Spain.From panels and pitching sessions to international keynotes and networking, this will be a truly global edition.
Q: Tell us more about the new and returning pitching opportunities.
Gonard: We’re introducing two exciting new formats this year: Pitch Direct to Streaming Movies, focused on feature films for platforms, and Pitch Innova Formats, for interactive and innovative entertainment concepts. On top of that, we’re launching the very first Pitch Talent session. In collaboration with top Spanish screenwriting labs, we’ll give five emerging creatives the opportunity to present their scripted projects on our main stage. It’s a major step towards nurturing the next generation of talent.
Q: What are some standout sessions or moments from the agenda?
Gonard: One key highlight is the premiere presentation of La Caza. Irati, the fourth chapter of a successful franchise that has already crossed borders—Most notably, Rivière-Perdue, the French adaptation of the original Spanish series. We’re also very proud of our partnerships with leading French companies like Banijay and Gaumont, and international consultancies like The Wit, Glance and Fabric, Parrot Analytics who will help us map the latest trends in Europe and Latin America. But I’d like to highlight that Conecta is not only an excellent programme of talks and conferences—it’s also the place where projects come to life. Over the course of eight previous editions, 26 of our finalist projects from the pitching sessions have gone on to be produced. That’s the key difference with Conecta, and the reason why people keep coming back. At Conecta, doors open, partnerships are forged, and new connections are made.
Q: This year also introduces Conecta FICTION FEST. What inspired you to open the doors to the public?
Gonard: It’s not the first time we’ve opened the door to public screenings, we’ve done so with one series per edition. But this is the first time we’ll be welcoming the public every day, programming one series per day under the new Conecta FICTION FEST label. It was time. We’ve always believed in connecting industry professionals, but now we want to bring audiences closer to the storytelling process. Conecta FICTION FEST will allow Cuenca’s citizens—and visitors—to attend exclusive screenings and meet talents behind the scenes. It’s about sharing the magic of fiction beyond business.
Q: What can the audience expect from the screenings?
Gonard: They’ll be able to watch premieres like Zorro, filmed last year right here in Castilla-La Mancha, and meet its stars and producers. Other highlights include Disney+’s The Incredible Story of Julia Pastranais a Disney+ brand new production from Disney LATAM, and Favàritx, the first Spanish series shot in Menorca. We also have a stellar literary panel with authors like Juan Gómez-Jurado, María Dueñas and Manel Loureiro discussing their work’s journey from page to screen.
Q: How does Conecta contribute to the audiovisual sector and to Castilla-La Mancha itself?
Gonard: Conecta has become an accelerator for co-productions, talent discovery and cross-border collaboration. On a local level, the impact is equally important: the region hosted over 70 shoots last year, and 57 so far in 2025. Conecta is a platform for growth—for creators, for companies, and for territories like Cuenca that are ready to shine on the global stage.
Q: Finally, what are your hopes for this edition?
Gonard: I hope this edition sets a new benchmark. Cuenca will not only host content—it will inspire it. This convergence of professionals, creativity and public engagement is what Conecta has always aimed for. I truly believe 2025 will mark a before and after in the life of this event, and in how we connect fiction with the world.
