EGEDA Opens Call for Fifth Edition of PLATINO NEXT GEN Laboratory to Empower Ibero American Audiovisual Talent

The Entidad de Gestión de Derechos de los Productores Audiovisuales (EGEDA), the preeminent service and rights management organization for audiovisual producers in the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking world, has officially launched the call for entries for the fifth edition of PLATINO NEXT GEN. This specialized laboratory is designed specifically for emerging Ibero-American producers, offering a rigorous training ground focused on the dual pillars of modern filmmaking: complex project financing and the legal frameworks necessary to navigate the global entertainment market. By addressing these often-overlooked technical aspects of production, the program aims to bridge the gap between creative vision and commercial viability for the next generation of filmmakers across Latin America, Spain, and Portugal.

Applications for the 2025 cycle remain open until April 10, inviting submissions for feature-length projects currently in the development or pre-production stages. The laboratory maintains an inclusive scope, welcoming projects across the genres of fiction, animation, and documentary. A distinctive feature of PLATINO NEXT GEN is its collaborative requirement; each selected project is represented by a two-person team consisting of the producer and either the director or the screenwriter. This structure ensures that the creative and business aspects of the film are developed in tandem, fostering a unified strategy that is essential for the high-stakes environment of international co-productions and platform acquisitions.

A Strategic Response to a Shifting Industry Landscape

The initiative arrives at a critical juncture for Ibero-American cinema. As global streaming platforms continue to seek authentic, local stories with "global" appeal, the technical hurdles of international law, intellectual property rights, and multi-territory financing have become increasingly daunting for young professionals. Carlos Antón, the Director of PLATINO NEXT GEN, emphasized the strategic necessity of the program in a recent statement, noting that the laboratory offers producers a rare opportunity to fortify their projects from a perspective that is often secondary in traditional film schools but primary in the business world.

According to Antón, the curriculum focuses on the "real-world viability" of projects. Through intensive training sessions and direct mentorship from industry veterans, participants are taught to refine their financial plans and legal structures to meet the stringent standards of major studios and streaming giants. The goal is to transform a promising script into a "market-ready" asset capable of attracting investment from diverse sources, ranging from public subsidies and tax incentives to private equity and platform pre-sales.

The Residency Model: A Four-Phase Chronology of Professional Growth

PLATINO NEXT GEN distinguishes itself through a residential format that spans several months and multiple locations, integrating participants into the most influential film festivals and industry markets in Europe. The fifth edition is structured into four distinct phases, each designed to address a specific stage of project maturation.

The journey begins on July 7 in Madrid, Spain. During this initial four-day phase, which runs through July 10, the focus is primarily on the creative core of the project. Experts lead intensive script revision sessions, ensuring that the narrative foundation is robust before the complexities of financing are introduced. This phase acknowledges that while financial structures are vital, they must ultimately serve a compelling story.

The second phase represents the heart of the laboratory’s technical training. From September 11 to September 20, the residency moves to the Santander Film Festival. Here, the curriculum shifts toward the "architecture" of production. Participants engage in specialized tutorials and masterclasses centered on financing models and legal structures. This includes navigating the intricacies of Ibero-American co-production treaties, understanding the nuances of "completion bonds," and learning how to protect intellectual property across different jurisdictions.

The third phase, scheduled for September 20 to 24, coincides with the prestigious San Sebastián International Film Festival (SSIFF). This phase is dedicated to the "pitch" and market positioning. In collaboration with the festival, PLATINO NEXT GEN organizes a dedicated pitch workshop where participants refine their presentation skills. Crucially, the selected teams gain access to the San Sebastián Co-Production Forum, one of the most important industry hubs in the world. This provides a direct platform for producers to test their newly refined projects against the scrutiny of international sales agents, distributors, and fellow producers.

The final phase brings the program back to Madrid from September 29 to October 2. This closing chapter takes place within the framework of Iberseries & Platino Industria, the largest international professional event for the Ibero-American audiovisual industry. During this phase, the focus is on high-level networking and the practical application of the laboratory’s lessons within a massive industry marketplace. By the end of this cycle, projects are expected to have evolved from early-stage concepts into fully structured business propositions.

Financial Commitment and Educational Value

Participation in the laboratory requires a tuition fee of 1,350 euros per project. While this represents a significant investment for emerging filmmakers, the fee is designed to be comprehensive. It covers not only the high-level professional training and mentorship but also accommodation and meals across all three host cities (Madrid, Santander, and San Sebastián). This "all-inclusive" residency model is intended to allow participants to focus entirely on their professional development without the administrative burden of organizing logistics during some of Europe’s busiest film festival seasons.

Prospective applicants can find detailed registration procedures and technical requirements on the official EGEDA and PLATINO NEXT GEN websites. The selection process is expected to be highly competitive, as the laboratory seeks projects that demonstrate both creative excellence and a clear potential for international circulation.

Building on a Legacy of Success

The impact of PLATINO NEXT GEN is best illustrated by its track record of fostering successful co-productions. In the previous edition, the program highlighted the growing trend of cross-border collaboration within the region. A notable example was the project "Lo ideal," directed by Martina Matzkin. The project was a joint production between the Argentine firm Groncho and the Colombian company Continente Pictures.

The success of "Lo ideal" serves as a case study for the laboratory’s objectives. By bringing together talent from two different South American nations and providing them with the tools to navigate the legal and financial requirements of such a partnership, the laboratory demonstrated its ability to facilitate the kind of "South-South" and "Transatlantic" cooperation that is increasingly necessary for the survival of independent cinema in the age of global conglomerates.

Expansion of the PLATINO Brand: Introducing PLATINO Talks

In addition to the intensive residency program, EGEDA has announced the launch of "PLATINO Talks." This new series of online encounters is designed to expand the reach of the organization’s educational initiatives beyond the selected laboratory participants. These sessions are aimed at a broader audience of audiovisual professionals who are interested in the creative, strategic, and production dynamics of the Ibero-American market.

The inaugural session of PLATINO Talks is set to feature the renowned producer Manuel Martí. His masterclass, titled "Architecture of a LATAM Project: From Local Voice to Global Impact," will delve into the specific strategies required to design projects that maintain a strong cultural identity while possessing the commercial "legs" to travel internationally. Martí’s expertise in balancing local authenticity with global market demands is considered a benchmark in the industry.

The first session is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, and will be conducted via Zoom. To ensure maximum accessibility across the diverse Ibero-American geography, the session will be free for registered participants and will include simultaneous translation into Portuguese. The timing of the event has been synchronized across multiple time zones: 10:00 AM in Mexico City, 11:00 AM in Colombia, 1:00 PM in Argentina and Brazil, and 5:00 PM in Spain.

Broader Implications for the Ibero-American Audiovisual Sector

The continued evolution of programs like PLATINO NEXT GEN and the introduction of PLATINO Talks reflect a broader professionalization of the Ibero-American film and television industry. EGEDA, which is also the force behind the Premios PLATINO (the Platino Awards), is leveraging its position as a rights management society to reinvest in the future of the sector.

By focusing on "legal and financial structure," EGEDA is addressing a systemic vulnerability. In many Ibero-American territories, while creative talent is abundant, the "business of film" remains opaque to many newcomers. This lack of structural knowledge often leads to unfavorable contracts with major platforms or the failure of co-productions due to administrative oversights.

Furthermore, the emphasis on Iberseries & Platino Industria as the final destination for these projects highlights the importance of the Spanish-language market as a unified bloc. With over 500 million Spanish speakers worldwide and a growing appetite for non-English language content, the potential for Ibero-American content is unprecedented. However, capturing this market requires more than just good storytelling; it requires a sophisticated understanding of how to move capital and rights across borders.

As the April 10 deadline approaches, the fifth edition of PLATINO NEXT GEN stands as a vital resource for those looking to transition from "filmmaker" to "producer-creator." In an industry where the legal fine print is often as important as the script’s dialogue, this laboratory provides the technical armor necessary for Ibero-American talent to compete—and thrive—on the global stage. Through these initiatives, EGEDA continues to solidify the infrastructure of a regional cinema that is increasingly defined by its professional rigor and its global ambitions.