The sun had barely risen over Madrid, and already the hum of creative energy was palpable in the cobblestone streets leading to Matadero Madrid. This year’s Iberseries & Platino Industria felt different—a kind of quiet excitement thrummed in the air. Maybe it was the sheer scale of it, bringing together over 30 countries. Or maybe, it was the sense that here, amidst the historic charm of this industrial space, the future of Ibero-American fiction was being written in real time.
Global Stage for Ibero-American Fiction Content
The Iberseries & Platino Industria has quickly evolved into the most significant event for the Ibero-American audiovisual industry, and in its fourth edition, the stakes have never been higher. Professionals from Sony Pictures Television, HBO, Amazon Studios, and more gather not just to showcase their latest projects, but to forge collaborations that may reshape the way we consume content in Spanish and Portuguese for decades to come.
Yet, amidst all the polished presentations and high-powered executives, there’s something undeniably human about this event—a chance for creators to come together, share stories, and build something bigger than themselves. This is the magic of storytelling, after all: it connects us, transcending borders and industries alike.
From Actors to Directors: The Evolution of Storytelling
Paz Vega, a name you’ve likely heard in the context of her acting career, is here too, but not as the person you might expect. She’s now stepping into a new role as a director, a natural evolution of her storytelling prowess. In one of the many intimate panel discussions, she shares the trials and triumphs of this transition:
“I used to think that acting was the most intimate way of telling a story,” she muses, her voice soft yet sure. “But directing—it’s like holding someone’s heart in your hands and knowing you’re responsible for each beat.” It’s in these personal moments that the spirit of Iberseries truly shines through. It’s not just about who holds the camera or who stands in front of it. It’s about the stories we are all telling, and how those stories shape the world.
Connecting the Dots Between Fiction and Podcasting
But fiction today doesn’t just live on screens. Eugenio Viñas, PRISA Audio’s deputy content director, speaks to the growing synergy between audio and visual media. His talk on “Los remakes más allá de las adaptaciones” explores how podcasts—those small, intimate snippets of sound—are evolving into full-fledged series that captivate global audiences.
“Audio is an entry point,” Viñas explains, gesturing with the ease of someone deeply in tune with the creative process. “It’s a way for people to discover stories at their own pace. But those stories—they don’t stay small. They grow, they become visual. And that’s where the magic happens.”
Viñas isn’t just waxing poetic. He speaks with authority backed by case studies—instances where a humble podcast evolved into something much larger, like the scripted series that now appear on platforms such as Prime Video or Warner Bros Discovery.
Workshops, Networking, and the Business of Storytelling
Yet, Iberseries & Platino Industria isn’t just about sharing creative dreams; it’s about turning those dreams into realities. Throughout the four-day event, workshops, coproduction forums, and financing panels fill the agenda, designed to give content creators not just the tools but the pathways to make their visions come to life. And for buyers and investors, this is an invaluable space to discover the next big hit, whether it’s a gritty thriller from Buenos Aires or a whimsical comedy from Mexico City.
The importance of these connections cannot be overstated. In a world where streaming platforms rule the entertainment landscape, finding the right partners can mean the difference between a project languishing in development purgatory and reaching audiences across the globe.
El PAÍS TV: New Player in the Streaming Game
A standout highlight of the event is the promotion of EL PAÍS TV, the new channel designed for connected televisions, available on Samsung, LG, Xiaomi, and Rakuten TV. For a company traditionally rooted in journalism, this foray into streaming marks a bold step forward. It’s also a testament to the changing media landscape, where the lines between news, entertainment, and storytelling blur more each day.
PRISA Media, as one of the event’s media partners, continues to be a significant player in this evolution, pushing the boundaries of how stories are told and consumed. EL PAÍS TV is just one example of how even legacy media companies are innovating to stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital world.
The Future of Ibero-American Fiction: Bold, Collaborative, and Boundary-Pushing
As the final day of Iberseries & Platino Industria 2024 approaches, the event’s true purpose becomes clearer: it’s not just about celebrating what has been accomplished in Ibero-American fiction. It’s about looking forward, imagining what could be possible when the brightest minds in storytelling come together, unafraid to experiment, to fail, and ultimately, to succeed in ways that transcend the screen.
In this space, every handshake, every conversation over coffee, is more than a casual exchange—it’s the potential beginning of the next great story, one that will resonate across borders, languages, and mediums. And as we leave Matadero Madrid, it’s hard not to feel inspired by the creative possibilities that have been sparked here.
