Foro de Coproducción Europa-América Latina y Lau Haizetara reciben proyectos

The San Sebastian International Film Festival (SSIFF) has officially opened the call for entries for its industry-leading initiatives, the Europe-Latin America Co-production Forum and the Lau Haizetara Documentary Co-production Forum, marking a pivotal moment for filmmakers seeking to bridge the gap between the two continents. The 15th edition of the Europe-Latin America Co-production Forum is scheduled to take place from September 21 to 23, 2026, during the 74th edition of the festival. This platform is designed to catalyze the development of fiction and non-fiction projects by fostering creative and financial synergies between European and Latin American producers. According to the official regulations, the call is open to projects that have already secured at least 20% of their total financing, a requirement that ensures the viability and professional commitment of the participating works. Interested parties have until June 15 to submit their applications through the festival’s official industry portal.

The Europe-Latin America Co-production Forum has established itself as an essential cornerstone of the San Sebastian Industry Department. By providing a structured environment for networking and project pitching, the festival addresses the systemic challenges of film financing in emerging markets. The selection process for the upcoming edition will be overseen by a prestigious committee of experts, including producer Fernanda de la Peza, known for her high-profile collaborations with acclaimed directors such as Amat Escalante, and festival programmers Esperanza Luffiego and Javier Martín. Martín, who also serves as the San Sebastian delegate for Latin America, brings a wealth of regional expertise to the evaluation process. Together, they will select a maximum of 20 projects based on artistic merit, international potential, and the strength of the production plan.

Structured Pitching and Personalized Professional Matchmaking

Selected projects for the 15th edition will undergo a rigorous presentation process designed to maximize visibility. Filmmakers will be required to prepare a pre-recorded pitching session, which will be made available to accredited industry professionals prior to the event. During the three-day forum in September, project representatives will engage in a personalized agenda of one-on-one meetings. These sessions are tailored to connect directors and producers with potential co-producers, sales agents, distributors, and festival programmers who have expressed specific interest in their slates.

This methodology has proven highly effective. Since the forum’s inception in 2012, it has hosted 230 projects. Data provided by the festival organization indicates that nearly 50% of these projects have successfully completed production and reached the international festival circuit or commercial distribution. This high conversion rate underscores the forum’s role not just as a networking event, but as a critical incubator for global cinema. For many Latin American filmmakers, the forum serves as the primary entry point into the European market, offering access to the sophisticated co-production treaties and public funding bodies prevalent in countries like Spain, France, and Germany.

Reviewing the Success of the 2025 Edition

The impact of the forum is best illustrated by the success of its previous participants. In the 2024–2025 cycle, the top honors were awarded to projects that reflected a diverse array of narrative styles and geographic origins. "No me dejen morir solo," directed by Francisco Rodríguez Teare and produced as a co-production between Chile and Belgium, secured both the Best Project Award and the Casa Wabi Prize. This project exemplifies the cross-continental collaboration the forum aims to foster, blending South American storytelling with European financial and technical support.

Other notable winners included Laura Baumeister’s "Lo que sigue es mi muerte," a co-production between Mexico and Spain, which received the DALE! (Development Alliance for Latin America and Europe) Award and the QCINEMA prize. Additionally, the Uruguayan filmmaker Álvaro Brechner, a regular fixture at major international festivals, received the ArteKino International Award for his project "La piel del león," a tripartite co-production involving Spain, Uruguay, and Brazil. These awards provide not only financial support but also a stamp of quality that facilitates further funding from regional film institutes and private investors.

Strategic Alliances: Ventana Sur and the Marché du Film

The San Sebastian International Film Festival does not operate in isolation; rather, it is part of a global network of industry hubs. One of the most significant advantages for projects selected for the Europe-Latin America Co-production Forum is the opportunity for extended circulation through strategic partnerships. European projects selected for the forum may be eligible to participate in the "Proyecta" initiative at Ventana Sur, Latin America’s largest film market, held annually in Buenos Aires. This reciprocal arrangement allows European producers to pitch their projects directly to Latin American stakeholders in their home territory.

Conversely, Latin American production companies that meet specific criteria during their participation in San Sebastian may be fast-tracked to the Producers Network at the Marché du Film-Festival de Cannes. This connection to the world’s most prominent film market provides an unparalleled level of exposure, allowing emerging producers to build long-term relationships with the global industry’s elite. These alliances create a continuous cycle of development that extends far beyond the three days of the forum in the Basque Country.

The Lau Haizetara Documentary Forum: A Focus on Non-Fiction

In parallel with the general co-production forum, the San Sebastian ecosystem also hosts the 22nd Lau Haizetara Documentary Co-production Forum. This specialized event, also running from September 21 to 23, is organized by EPE-IBAIA (Association of Independent Audiovisual Producers of the Basque Country) in close collaboration with the San Sebastian Festival. The deadline for documentary submissions is June 27, slightly later than the general forum, allowing documentary filmmakers additional time to finalize their materials.

The Lau Haizetara forum is specifically designed for documentary feature films in the development stage. A key requirement for applicants is the inclusion of a teaser or high-quality visual treatment, as the forum places a heavy emphasis on the visual language of non-fiction. Projects must either have a European co-production already attached or be actively seeking one. This focus aligns with the broader institutional goal of strengthening the European documentary fabric and encouraging international co-operation in a genre that often faces significant funding hurdles compared to fiction.

Selected documentary projects will participate in intensive pitch preparation workshops led by industry veterans. These workshops culminate in a presentation before a panel of commissioning editors from major international broadcasters and streaming platforms. Following the public pitch, filmmakers engage in one-on-one meetings with potential financiers. The forum also features a Best Pitch Award, which includes a €5,000 cash prize. In the most recent edition, this prize was awarded to "La increíble historia de una película que no hemos visto" by Christine Mladic Janney and Claudia Chavez Levano, a co-production between Peru’s Amazona Producciones and the US-based Eleven Hands.

Regional Recognition and the Role of Specialized Awards

The documentary forum also serves as a platform for specialized industry awards that target specific aspects of production. Last year, "Mariana X BHP" by Renan Flumian, a Brazilian-Chilean co-production (Droma Productions and Quijote Films), received the Music Library & SFX Award, highlighting the importance of post-production resources. Meanwhile, the Argentine production "Talía después de Talía" by Pedro Speroni, produced by El Ojo Silva, took home the Preciosa Media Prize. These awards reflect the diverse support system available to filmmakers in San Sebastian, ranging from direct financial grants to technical services and distribution consultations.

The presence of these awards underscores a growing trend in the industry: the need for "smart money" and strategic partnerships rather than just traditional grants. By connecting filmmakers with specialized service providers and niche distributors early in the development process, the Lau Haizetara forum ensures that projects are built on a solid professional foundation.

Economic and Cultural Implications of Co-Production Forums

The existence of these forums at San Sebastian is a response to the evolving economic landscape of global cinema. Co-production has moved from being a luxury to a necessity for high-quality independent filmmaking. By pooling resources from different countries, producers can access multiple tax incentives, regional funds, and diverse markets. For Spain, these forums reinforce its role as a natural bridge between Europe and the Ibero-American world, leveraging shared language and historical ties to lead the continent’s cinematic engagement with Latin America.

Furthermore, these initiatives have a profound cultural impact. They allow for the emergence of "borderless" narratives that reflect the complexities of the modern world. When a project from Uruguay or Mexico finds a partner in France or Germany through San Sebastian, it often leads to a creative exchange that enriches the final film, making it more palatable for international audiences while maintaining its local soul. The fact that nearly half of the forum’s projects reach completion is a testament to the festival’s ability to identify projects that are not only artistically significant but also commercially and logistically viable.

Timeline and Future Outlook for the 2026 Edition

As the industry looks toward September 2026, the San Sebastian International Film Festival continues to refine its role as a vital market hub. The timeline for participants is clear: submissions close in mid-to-late June, selection announcements typically follow in August, and the intensive forum activities take place in late September. This schedule is strategically placed between the Venice Film Festival and the American Film Market, ensuring a high concentration of international decision-makers are present in the Basque city.

The 2026 edition is expected to see an increase in projects exploring the intersection of traditional filmmaking and new technologies, as well as a continued focus on social and environmental themes, which have dominated recent selections. By maintaining a rigorous selection process and fostering deep-seated international alliances, San Sebastian ensures that it remains the premier destination for the next generation of Ibero-American and European cinematic talent. For the filmmakers currently preparing their dossiers, the forum represents more than just a meeting; it is a gateway to the global stage.