Today, Crew United, Europe’s platform for film and audiovisual professionals, announced a partnership deal with Spain Film Commission, Cineuropa has learnt. The collaboration will offer Spanish industry talents a unique opportunity to enhance their visibility both nationally and internationally.

Notably, the Spanish film and audiovisual industry has seen rapid growth in recent years. In 2023 alone, the local film industry grew by 30%, fuelled by its diverse locations, skilled talent and increasing global demand for productions.

“Yet, one challenge remains: the need for a unified professional network tailored to the industry's unique needs. To tackle this challenge, Spain Film Commission, the association coordinating a network of 47 film commissions and film offices, has long sought a solution to better connect professionals with opportunities. Crew United has become the official directory of Spanish professionals for Spain Film Commission,” explains Crew United’s official press release.

“After exploring various opportunities, especially in the realm of social networks, we aimed for something more cross-cutting, something that could be used across multiple sectors,” says Paulino Cuevas, general coordinator of Spain Film Commission. “A film commission within our network directed us to Crew United. Without much prior knowledge, I visited their website to understand the strengths of their portal, and it became clear that this was the right path for us.”

In detail, Spanish professionals who register with Crew United now receive two years of free Premium Video+ profiles, a feature designed to increase visibility and facilitate connections across Europe. The initiative is already yielding results, as Cuevas highlights: “Our expectations have already been surpassed, even before implementation. The partnership has already provided immediate support, helping professionals find opportunities through a trusted network.”

With a long-standing collaboration with the German film commissions and a special partnership with the French Grand Est Film Commission, where it also serves as the official directory, Crew United continues building on these efforts via its new collaboration with the Spain Film Commission, further bolstering its mission to connect film professionals across Europe.

Collaboration with key players in local markets is also part of the platform's European development plan, which has already been supported by the Creative Europe – MEDIA programme twice.

“We aim to fill a gap by strengthening the connection between professionals within the regions of Spain and beyond, creating links with each other and within the European film industry,” states Olivia Rogalla, from Crew United Spain.

“We couldn't have wished for a stronger commitment and look forward to working together! This is another big step towards a real European network,” adds Crew United CEO Oliver Zenglein.

Based in Munich, operational across eight countries and employing local teams, the European film network emphasises human oversight as its added value, distinguishing it from platforms driven primarily by algorithms. Cuevas underscores the importance of this approach: “In a time when we're all immersed in artificial intelligence and algorithms manage everything, the human factor becomes crucial. It adds significant value, especially when compared to automated systems.”

This agreement will also benefit regional film commissions by promoting local talent through dedicated profiles, making it easier for international producers to connect with professionals across Spain. The partnership goes beyond website implementation, involving active participation in industry events such as the Shooting Locations Marketplace in Valladolid, further raising visibility for Spanish professionals.

Spain was celebrated as the Country of Honour at this year’s MIPCOM and is set to be the Country in Focus at the European Film Market in 2025. Moreover, a special presentation of "Shooting in Spain" will take place at the upcoming Focus in London.