Markets

Brazilian production Perto de Mim, Longe de Tudo, from Filmes de Mentira, won the CIIF Market Santa Cruz de Tenerife Award for the Project with the Greatest International Potential, the top distinction at the 22nd edition of the Canary Islands International Film Market (CIIF Market). Meanwhile, two Spanish projects, Yo Gané, from The Kung Fu Brothers, and Harraga, by Mercedes Ortega, shared the Cabildo de Tenerife Award for the Canary Islands Project with the Greatest Potential.

Held from October 26-30 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the market brought together 22 projects from 10 countries, including seven from the Canary Islands, and generated more than 600 meetings between producers, investors and audiovisual industry representatives. Its programme included pitching sessions, conferences, networking activities and location visits, aimed at fostering financing, co-production and international distribution opportunities. “We are bringing this edition of CIIF Market to a close with the satisfaction of continuing to grow and fulfilling our goal: connecting creative talent with the audiovisual industry, generating new partnerships and promoting projects with real potential to reach screens,” said Guillermo Ríos, director of CIIF Market.

Puerto Rican project Agua Brava, from Canica Films, was the edition's most awarded title, collecting three prizes, while 1615, Empatía and Yo Gané each received two awards. The closing ceremony, held at Espacio Price in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, also featured a special screening of Tal vez, the debut feature by Canary Islands filmmaker Arima León, filmed entirely in Gran Canaria.

Ríos highlighted the importance of seeing projects developed through the market eventually reach audiences, adding: “Seeing a story that was selected to participate in the market make it to the screen gives meaning to our work and encourages us to continue supporting Canary Islands talent and creators seeking to establish themselves in the industry. Canary Islands has the talent, the conditions and the capacity to continue being a meeting point between Europe, Africa and Latin America. Our commitment is to keep creating opportunities so that this connection translates into projects, co-productions and new stories,” he concluded.