Animation from Spain is participating in the Ottawa Worldwide Animation Pageant’s TAC (The Animation Convention) for the first time this year and has brought with it three of Spain’s most promising animation producers for a roundtable discussion on the current state of Iberian animation and to present their projects to the global and North American markets.
The Spanish government-backed presence at North America’s largest animation festival and the premier independent animation event on the global calendar signifies a desire to become a much bigger player in Canada and the US, while also reinforcing the country’s global popularity.
Global ambitions are being fueled by Spain’s high activity. According to ICEX Spain Commerce and Funding, the Spanish government body leading this year’s engagement in Ottawa, by 2023 Spanish companies have produced six animated series, 25 short films and 68 seasons of animated TV series.
Business-wise and critically, Spanish animation may be reaching new heights. Last year, 4 Cats Footage’s “Mummies” grossed $54 million at the global box office, the second-highest gross for a Spanish feature outside of Spain. Arcadia’s “Robotic Desires” scored an Oscar nomination for best animated feature, joining “Chico y Rita” and “Klaus” as the only Spanish films to earn consideration.
In Ottawa, ICEX curator Carolina López Caballero will host a roundtable discussion on Thursday afternoon at 11:15 a.m. that will include Morgana Studios founder and artistic director Claudio Lluberes, Hampa Studio government producer Álvaro García Gnzález – considered one of the Selection Up-and-coming Spanish producers in 2024 to watch, and Abano Producións CEO Chelo Louriero.
Ahead of the dialogue in Ottawa, we asked the speakers why they think it is essential for Spanish companies to not only be present, but also promoted at international events such as the OIAF.
“Spain’s animation industry is growing rapidly, and participating in global events like OIAF is essential to increasing its global presence,” Lluberes said. “These events provide Spanish creators and studios with a platform to showcase their work, network with business leaders, and attract collaborators and buyers.”
For García, Ottawa represents a great gateway for European indies to enter the North American market. “For me, it is essential that high-quality European animation crosses the ocean and reaches the Canadian and American markets. Traditionally, these markets have been closed to Europe, but the current state of affairs is opening them up to us. We have to seize this second opportunity and build bridges between us.”
In addition to participating in the roundtable, each company presented initiatives to introduce the TAC.
One of Spain’s largest and most profitable indie animation production companies, Galicia-based Abano has backed award-winning productions including Annecy Contrechamp winner “Sultana’s Dream” and Spanish Academy Goya winners “Unicorn Wars” and “To Hen or Not Hen.” The company is screening two options in Ottawa this year. “Decorado” is next from indie auteur Alberto Vázquez (“Unicorn Wars”), co-produced with Uniko, Glow and Sardinha em Lata. “Mu-Ki-Ra” is directed by multifaceted actress and filmmaker Estefania Piñeres and co-produced with Colombia’s Letrario.
Abano also has a number of shorts in pre-production and production that are being brought to Ottawa, including Bea Lema’s adaptation of her National Comedian Award-winning graphic novel “El cuerpo de Cristo,” Carla Pereira’s stop-motion short “One thing in the Home,” and Alicia Núñez’s “One Ways Cycle.”
Valencia-based Hampa, whose credits include such prestigious masterpieces as “Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles” and “Black is Beltza” as well as a wide range of CGI sequels for children and families, will present two upcoming releases in Ottawa, Roc Espinet’s buzzy graphic novel “Lady and Wolf” and “The Treasure of Barracuda,” one of the big Spanish acquisitions at this year’s Marché du Movie when it was acquired by Filmax.
Madrid-based Morgana Studio, an animation and visual effects services company that is increasingly focused on unique production, is in Ottawa with its flagship venture, “Diamante,” currently in development. Directed by Mathieu Ratthé from a script by Ratthé and Leticia Tonos Paniagua, the Dominican Republic-set feature is being produced with Reachstar Entertainment and DNEG ReDefine.