The Ninth Quirino Ibero-American Animation Awards Unveil Industry Program and Strategic Initiatives for Tenerife 2025.

The Premios Quirino de la Animación Iberoamericana has officially announced the comprehensive schedule of professional activities and industry-focused programming for its upcoming ninth edition, scheduled to take place from April 15 to 17 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. This year’s event represents a significant expansion of the awards’ mission to serve as the primary bridge between the animation industries of Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. The industry segment is built upon four strategic pillars: the Co-production and Business Forum, the Laboratory of Futures, the International Meeting of TV Channels and Platforms, and the dedicated working group for Women in Ibero-American Animation. These professional tracks will culminate in the grand awards ceremony on April 17 at the Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, an architectural landmark designed by Santiago Calatrava, with the proceedings set to be broadcast globally via online streaming.

Since its inception in 2018, the Quirino Awards have evolved from a regional celebration into a vital commercial engine for the animation sector. By facilitating direct dialogue between creators and investors, the event addresses the historical fragmentation of the Ibero-American market. The ninth edition arrives at a pivotal moment for the industry, as regional productions continue to gain international acclaim at major festivals like Annecy and the Oscars, while simultaneously navigating the challenges of shifting streaming landscapes and the rise of emerging technologies.

The Co-production and Business Forum: A Global Networking Hub

The centerpiece of the industry program is the Co-production and Business Forum, which enters its ninth year as the premier networking space for Ibero-American animation professionals. Running the full duration of the event from April 15 to 17, the forum has expanded its schedule to three days to accommodate increasing demand. Organizers expect to host approximately 250 professionals representing more than 30 countries, highlighting the event’s growing influence beyond the immediate Ibero-American sphere.

The forum is designed to bring together a diverse array of stakeholders, including production companies, sales agents, distributors, television broadcasters, and private investors. The scale of the operation is evidenced by data from the previous edition, which saw more than 1,300 pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings. These sessions are specifically curated to foster the co-production of new content, the development of early-stage projects, and the international circulation of finished works. For many independent studios in Latin America, these meetings represent a rare opportunity to secure the European partners necessary to unlock regional tax incentives and distribution networks.

The expansion to a three-day format reflects a broader trend in the animation industry where "slow networking" and deeper relationship building are becoming prioritized over rapid-fire pitching. By providing a sustained environment for negotiation, the Quirino Awards aim to move beyond mere introductions and toward the signing of binding co-production agreements that ensure the financial viability of high-quality animated features and series.

Laboratory of Futures: Navigating New Financial Landscapes

In a strategic move to address the structural shifts in the global media economy, the ninth edition features the "Laboratory of Futures: The New Pact for the Future of Ibero-American Animation." Developed in collaboration with the Fundación Ortega-Marañón, this initiative seeks to build a more sustainable, innovative, and competitive ecosystem for the sector. On April 16, a specialized session titled "New Models of Financing and Distribution" will take center stage.

This session is particularly timely given the recent contraction in original content spending by major global streaming platforms. The Laboratory of Futures will focus on three critical areas: investment strategies, distribution innovation, and the generation of Intellectual Property (IP). Industry analysts note that for Ibero-American studios to thrive, they must transition from "work-for-hire" models to IP-ownership models. The laboratory aims to provide producers with the tools to retain rights to their characters and stories, thereby allowing for long-term revenue through licensing, merchandising, and multi-platform expansions.

The partnership with the Fundación Ortega-Marañón adds an academic and strategic depth to the proceedings, ensuring that the discussions are informed by broader cultural and economic trends. By analyzing the intersection of technology and creativity, the Laboratory of Futures acts as a think-tank, preparing regional studios for the integration of artificial intelligence in production pipelines and the exploration of decentralized distribution methods.

Fifth International Meeting of TV Channels and Platforms

The broadcast landscape remains a cornerstone of the animation business, and the Quirino Awards will host the fifth edition of the International Meeting of TV Channels and Platforms on April 15. Organized with the support of Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE), this gathering brings together decision-makers from some of the most influential media outlets in Europe and the Americas.

Confirmed participants for 2025 include a prestigious list of public and private broadcasters: 3Cat (Spain), BBC (United Kingdom), Canal Capital (Colombia), Ceska Televize (Czech Republic), Globo (Brazil), HRT (Croatia), KiKA (Germany), NTV (Chile), RTP (Portugal), RTVE (Spain), TV Cultura (Brasil), and Warner Bros. Discovery (Argentina). The presence of non-Ibero-American entities like the BBC and Germany’s KiKA underscores the global appeal of Spanish and Portuguese language animation, which is increasingly viewed as a viable alternative to traditional North American and Japanese content.

The primary objective of this meeting is to explore synergies in production and distribution. Public broadcasters, in particular, play a vital role in supporting educational and culturally significant animation that might not find a home on purely commercial platforms. The meeting serves as a forum for these entities to discuss "co-acquisition" strategies, where multiple national broadcasters join forces to fund high-budget series that reflect shared cultural values.

Advancing Equity: Women in Ibero-American Animation

On April 16, the awards will host the working group "La mujer en la animación iberoamericana" (Women in Ibero-American Animation). Now in its eighth year, this initiative has become a fundamental component of the Quirino program, aimed at addressing the gender gap in a sector where women are often underrepresented in leadership and creative directing roles despite making up a large percentage of the workforce and student population.

The working group is designed to strengthen professional networks and promote equity and representativeness across the industry. This year’s session will bring together participants from the Co-production Forum, as well as participants from high-profile mentorship programs such as "Animation! Ventana Sur" and the "MIANIMA" program. By creating a space for the exchange of experiences and opportunities, the Quirino Awards contribute to a structural change in the industry, ensuring that diverse voices are not only heard but are also in positions to greenlight projects.

Data from recent industry reports suggest that while female participation in animation is increasing, "glass ceilings" remain in technical departments and executive suites. The Quirino working group serves as both a support network and a lobbying body, advocating for policies that encourage gender parity in public funding and festival selections.

Digital Showcases and Talent Promotion

Beyond the professional meetings, the Quirino Awards are committed to bringing high-quality animation to the general public. To promote emerging talent, the organization has announced that several finalist short films—from both the professional and "School Short Film" categories—will be available for digital viewing from April 13 to 26.

The films will be hosted on two major platforms: Retina Latina, which offers free access throughout the world (with registration), and Filmin, the leading independent cinema platform in Spain (available to subscribers). This initiative is crucial for student filmmakers and independent creators, providing them with a global audience and a digital "stamp of approval" that can lead to future career opportunities. By leveraging streaming technology, the Quirino Awards extend their reach far beyond the physical confines of Tenerife, democratizing access to the best animation the region has to offer.

Historical Context and Economic Impact

The Premios Quirino were established in 2018 to honor the legacy of Quirino Cristiani, the Italian-Argentine director who created the world’s first two animated feature films: "El Apóstol" (1917) and "Peludópolis" (1931). By naming the awards after him, the organizers emphasize that Ibero-America has a century-long tradition of innovation in animation.

The choice of Santa Cruz de Tenerife as the host city is not accidental. The Canary Islands have emerged as a global hub for the audiovisual industry, largely due to a highly competitive tax incentive framework that offers up to a 45-50% rebate for international productions. The Tenerife Film Commission and Turismo de Tenerife, the main sponsors of the event, have successfully utilized the Quirino Awards to showcase the island’s infrastructure, which includes state-of-the-art studios and a growing community of local animation talent.

The economic impact of the awards on the local economy is multifaceted. In addition to the direct revenue generated by the 250 visiting professionals, the event positions Tenerife as a "Silicon Valley" of animation in the Atlantic. This reputation helps attract long-term investments and encourages international studios to establish permanent satellite offices on the island.

Broader Implications for the Global Market

The continued growth of the Quirino Awards signals a shift in the global animation hierarchy. For decades, the industry was dominated by a handful of major studios in the United States and Japan. However, the rise of Ibero-American animation suggests a more multipolar future. The "Ibero-American brand" is increasingly associated with high artistic quality, sophisticated storytelling, and a unique blend of cultural perspectives that resonate with global audiences.

The ninth edition of the Quirino Awards is more than just a trophy ceremony; it is a strategic intervention designed to ensure that this growth is sustainable. By focusing on co-production, gender equity, and new financial models, the event addresses the "pain points" of the industry. As the 250 delegates prepare to gather in Tenerife this April, the focus will be on turning creative visions into commercially viable realities, ensuring that the next generation of Ibero-American animators has the platform and the resources to compete on the world stage.

With the awards ceremony set to take place at the Auditorio de Tenerife, the eyes of the global animation community will be on the Canary Islands. The Ninth Quirino Awards stand as a testament to the resilience and creativity of a sector that, despite economic fluctuations, continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of moving images.