Spain, the Country of Honor at MIPCOM, unveils its line-up

MIPCOM Cannes confirmed the details of the comprehensive program to celebrate Spain as the Country of Honor at the upcoming 40th edition of the International Co-Production and Entertainment Content Market in Cannes (October 21-24, 2024), including a special keynote focused on creativity featuring one of the most prominent and globally recognized Spanish filmmakers, Juan Antonio Bayona.

The series of high-profile events at the annual entertainment content market includes keynotes, premieres, panels, and networking events, aimed at celebrating Spain's impact on global television and fostering greater international collaboration. The program will emphasize the country's creativity and talent, both behind and in front of the camera, reflecting the themes of the recently launched campaign by Audiovisual From Spain: "Spain, Where Talent Ignites."

The recognition as Country of Honor comes at a time when Spain's content sector has seen significant growth in recent years, establishing itself as a major international production hub and a provider of high-quality content for global audiences, with productions ranking among the most-watched worldwide. Currently, Spain ranks second in scripted content orders in Europe by global streaming platforms, only behind the UK. Meanwhile, Spain's entertainment sector, including OTT video services like Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Disney+, has seen remarkable growth. According to the Spain AVS Hub 2024 report, the sector grew by an impressive 408% between 2018 and 2022, with projected growth of 31.6% from 2023 to 2027.

Growth since 2021 has been driven by a major three-year public investment initiative of €1.6 billion for the film and television sector, led by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Administration, in which ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones has played an active role in the internationalization of Spain's audiovisual industry under the Audiovisual From Spain brand. A rise in Spanish creative sector participation is expected in Cannes next month, with an increase of over 60% in the number of accredited Spanish companies year after year.

Below are some highlights of the 2024 Country of Honor program:

"Media Mastermind Keynote - Spain: Where Talent Ignites" will be an intimate conversation with the award-winning Spanish director and showrunner J.A. Bayona ("A Monster Calls", "The Snow Society") and creative producer Diego Betancor ("Elite", "All the Times We Fell in Love", "Breathe"). In addition to exploring trends and generational shifts in filmmaking, the session will feature insights into Spain's new promotional campaign, "Spain, Where Talent Ignites," which includes an innovative fashion film, "The Cause of the Accident that Started the Fire". This unprecedented commission by a public institution is an ambitious high-profile work celebrating the creative process, with cameos and contributions from renowned Spanish creatives, including Bayona. The keynote will take place on Tuesday, October 22, from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m.

World Premiere of "Ena, the Queen Victoria Eugenia". Selected by a jury from multiple proposals, the highly anticipated historical drama series from RTVE, which tells the story of Victoria Eugenia of Battenberg (Queen of Spain by marriage to Alfonso XIII and granddaughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain), will premiere on the first night of the market, Monday, October 21, at 6:00 p.m. Held in the famous Grand Auditorium, lead actors Kimberley Tell and Joan Amargós will attend Cannes, along with executive producer Luis Hernández. This ambitious piece, directed exclusively by women (6 x 60’), is produced by RTVE in collaboration with 'Ena La Serie AIE', 'La Cometa TV', and 'Zona App'. It will air on RTVE's LA1 channel in Spain, with global distribution rights handled by Spain's largest public audiovisual group, RTVE.

"Producers Hub Panel: Igniting Global Hits - The Ultimate Audiovisual Hub" is a special session will take place on Tuesday, October 22, from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. in the meeting point for producers and commissioners, focusing on localization and co-production opportunities within Spain's sector. It will feature insights from filmmakers and recent productions, including Marc Dujardin, producer of Le Collectif 64 ("Zorro"), Nina Hernández, head of content at Portocabo ("Weiss & Morales"), and Susanne Frank, head of drama at ZDF Studios ("Stories to Stay Awake"). Additionally, two of MIP's flagship events will have a Spanish touch this year, with the Opening Night Party on Monday, October 21, starting at 7:00 p.m. to encourage networking, and a special Spanish edition of the FRESH TV showcase, curated and presented by Virginia Mouseler, CEO of The WIT International Services, on Tuesday, October 22, at 2:30 p.m.

Elisa Carbonell, CEO of ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones, highlighted the availability of talent in Spain and its internationalization process: "Talent exists in every country, but not all value it equally. Our goal in positioning Spain's audiovisual sector on the international stage is to elevate talent to the highest level, both through the activities we conduct at the world's leading festivals and markets, and with our new campaign, 'Spain, Where Talent Ignites,'" she stressed.

Lucy Smith, Director of MIPCOM Cannes and MIP London, continued praising the Country of Honor: "EVERYONE loves Spain, and we're planning a Big Party to celebrate Spanish content. A cultural powerhouse and a major European audiovisual hub, Spain's creative sector has never been more prolific, nor its productions enjoyed by so many globally. It has been an honor for us to curate this special program in celebration of one of the world's most formidable production countries," she declared.

The Country of Honor is part of a week-long conference program at MIPCOM Cannes, which defines the television industry's year through keynotes from global players and thought leaders, screenings of highly anticipated series, future-focused summits, and exclusive insight presentations. Previous Countries of Honor have included Japan, Turkey, Mexico, Argentina, South Korea, and, most recently, China in 2023.