San Sebastián Opens Call for Europe–Latin America Co-Production Forum, Strengthening Audiovisual Business Ties

The San Sebastián International Film Festival has opened submissions for the 15th edition of its Europe–Latin America Co-Production Forum, reinforcing its role as a key business platform for the audiovisual industry across both regions.

The initiative is designed to connect producers, directors, and investors working on film projects with international potential, with a clear focus on fostering co-productions between Europe and Latin America. Eligible projects must have a minimum runtime of 60 minutes and at least 20% of their financing already secured, while European productions are required to demonstrate a tangible link to Latin America.

The Forum will take place from September 21 to 23 and will combine pre-recorded project presentations with one-to-one meetings between content creators and potential partners. The format reflects a growing shift toward hybrid pitching models that prioritize efficiency while maintaining direct business interaction.

Beyond its cultural dimension, the Forum operates as a structured marketplace for audiovisual financing. It runs alongside the Festival’s “Works in Progress” sections — dedicated to European and Latin American productions — creating a concentrated environment for deal-making, co-financing, and international distribution agreements.

Up to 20 projects will be selected by a panel of industry experts, including producers and programmers linked to the Festival’s selection committee. The selection process prioritizes projects with strong creative potential and clear pathways to international circulation.

Participants will compete for several industry-backed awards aimed at supporting development and production. These include the Best Project Award and the DALE! Award — a joint initiative between European and Ibero-American film institutions — as well as the ArteKino International Award and the Casa Wabi-Escine Award, which offers a development residency in Mexico.

The Forum also acts as a gateway to other global industry platforms. European producers selected may gain access to Proyecta at Ventana Sur, while Latin American participants can qualify for the Producers Network at the Marché du Film in Cannes, further expanding financing and distribution opportunities.

Since its launch in 2012, the program has become a proven pipeline for international co-productions. More than 200 projects have been selected, with a significant share going on to premiere at major festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Sundance, and Locarno.

For EUBizNews, the relevance lies in the growing economic dimension of the audiovisual sector. Co-production models are increasingly used not only to share creative resources, but also to structure financing, mitigate risk, and access multiple markets simultaneously.

The Europe–Latin America corridor is particularly strategic in this context. Shared language, cultural affinity, and complementary funding mechanisms make co-productions between the two regions an attractive model for scaling content globally.

The submission deadline for the 2026 edition is June 15, with the Forum expected to once again serve as a key meeting point for investors, producers, and institutions shaping the future of transatlantic audiovisual business.