Ibermedia: The Impact of the New-Tech Program on Animation and Animators in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal

In 2023, Ibermedia, the largest pan-regional fund supporting co-development, co-production, and distribution in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal, announced the first 14 winners of its new initiative, Ibermedia Next, at Ventana Sur. The program was designed to support groundbreaking animation projects that combine artistic ambition, international collaboration, and advanced technology.

Two years later, Ibermedia Next returned to Buenos Aires to showcase the results of Ibermedia Next 2.0 and 3.0, funding an additional 29 projects. On December 2, a Centna Sur roundtable titled Connections That Inspire: Stories From Ibermedia Next reviewed the outcomes of this unprecedented effort to elevate the regions animation industry through new technology.

The panel, moderated by Quirino director Silvina Cornilln, featured four recipients of the $150,000 grants per project: Asdrbal Hiutzilhuitl Rivera from Mxicos Ssmica Studio, Jonatan Guzmn from Polar Studio in Mxico, Bernardita Ojeda from Chiles Pjaro, and Reyes Arnal from Spains LaMola Films.

Supported by Spains ICAA film agency and funded through the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan with NextGenerationEU resources, Ibermedia Next was developed in collaboration with Quirino and La Liga de la Animacin Iberoamericana.

The panel highlighted the impressive quality of the work. Guzmn presented excerpts from Azul. The Last Seed, which combines stop-motion with 3D environments, depicting Azul, a young hero, navigating a dust storm in search of the worlds last seed. Ana Ramrez Gonzlez shared a teaser for Agua Dulce, showing a playful purple water droplet exploring beyond its lily pond. Stills from Pink Punk Delta ranged from detailed landscapes to smoky carnival scenes.

Participants described Ibermedia Next as a steep but rewarding learning curve. Arnal, involved in six projects across the three funding rounds, called it an unflagging apprenticeship. Hiutzilhuitl recalled working on CALM (Cuentos de Amor, de Locura, de Muerte), where directors challenged teams to integrate 3D, stop-motion, live action, shadow puppetry, 2D animation, graphics, and simulationsa complex process that offered invaluable experience.

Technology, according to Ojeda, was not just for spectacle but a tool to enhance creativity. Having a background in 2D illustration, she found that projects like Pink Punk Delta allowed richer expression by combining 2D and 3D elements. Advanced tools also automated repetitive tasks, freeing artists to focus on innovation and creativity.

International co-productions posed unique challenges. Arnal emphasized selecting collaborators carefully, prioritizing both skill and personal rapport. Guzmn noted cultural differences in work habits, such as studio holiday schedules, required flexibility and understanding for smooth collaboration.

The funding proved transformative, giving teams the time and resources to experiment with new techniques and storytelling approaches. Guzmn highlighted the opportunity to test different tools and ideas, while Arnal noted that Ibermedias support allowed learning through trial and error. Ojeda explained that lessons from earlier projects now inform her fully integrated 2D/3D work, significantly expanding the scope of what she feels capable of achieving.

Author: Olivia Parker