10/03/2023 - Between 13 and 16 March, the industry area of the 26th Málaga Film Festival is holding a series of new events to spotlight Spanish-language audiovisuals and to promote them internationally

Since its 20th edition, the Málaga Film Festival has kept the same goal of promoting Ibero-American filmmaking. This is why it has created an Industry Area called MAFIZ, which includes activities and meetings designed to foster Ibero-American film (co-)productions and which this year will be held in the Andalusian city between 13 and 16 March.

The second edition of Spanish Screenings Content will take place within MAFIZ, a part of Spanish Screenings XXL, which provides value and visibility to the professional chain of the Spanish audiovisual industry, its internationalisation and promotion so that professionals can expand their network of contacts and create new business opportunities. It also celebrates the sixth edition of Málaga Work in Progress, emphasising its commitment to diverse identities and languages in Ibero-America and its audiovisual industry (projects by creators from Spain, Portugal and Latin America are presented).

This year, within MAFIZ, the Málaga Short Corner is created to showcase new and young Spanish talent with a selection of recent short films (a total of 60 works will be screened); and Remake Day, Book Showcase and Music Scorecom will expand with on-site activities.

Animation will be the focus of Animation Day, on 14 March, with the presentation of five works in progress and one feature film (see list below). Projects will also be presented by MIANIMA, a training programme for feature films and animated series led by women and aimed at female Ibero-American filmmakers, created by the MIA Association, Women in the Animation Industry. There will also be a round table on the thriving Spanish animation sector, and the Ibermedia Programme will present its new animation grants.

Catalonia will be the focus in Territories at MAFIZ. This section was created in 2022 and aims to facilitate the creation of international cooperation networks, encourage meetings between professionals and promote the brand of the guest territory. The region will be represented in the 20 projects that have been selected in the different sections and the more than 60 companies coming to Málaga.

Peru is the guest of honour at the 26th Málaga Film Festival, where it will be featured in MAFIZ's Latin American Focus with the aim of raising awareness of the South American country's recent filmmaking and the possibilities for collaboration with its industry. As a result, producers, directors, authorities and institutional representatives from the Andean country.

The festival also organises Hack MAFIZ Málaga, aimed at new talents in the audiovisual sector to turn the event into a meeting point between successful young digital content creators and distributors, brands, media, streaming services and production companies from all over the world. The event aims to provide new spaces to regenerate audiences and dialogue with them and with the creators with whom they identify.

Finally, it is worth noting that on 13 and 14 March several round tables will assemble together filmmakers and researchers to share their experiences of the documentary genre in the Málaga Docs section. And the MAFF section will also offer specific spaces for exchanging ideas and networking, organising Learning and Training for the representatives from the selected projects.

All MAFIZ activities, schedules and projects can be seen here.

Animation Day

Works in progress

4 Days Before Christmas - Steve Majaury, Andrea Sebastián
Production: PVP Media, Capitán Araña, 3Doubles Producciones, Smartrek Films AIE (Canada/Spain)

Dalia and the Red Book - David Bisbano
Production: Doce Entertainment, Vista Sur, Golem Studio (Argentina/Spain/Peru/Brazil)

Dragonkeeper [+see also:
trailer
interview: Salvador Simó
film profile] - Salvador Simó Busom
Production: Atresmedia Cine, Ilion Animation, Dragoia Media, China Film Animation (Spain/China)

Sultana’s Dream [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Isabel Herguera
film profile] - Isabel Herguera
Production: Abano Producions, Sultana Film, El Gatoverde Producciones, Uniko, Fabian & Fred Gmbh (Spain/Germany)

Rock Bottom - María Trenor
Production: Alba Sotorra, Jaibo Films, GS Animation (Spain)

(Translated from Spanish by Vicky York)