Evan Lee Salim
As the global audiovisual landscape undergoes a period of profound structural transformation, Madrid’s premier industry confab, Iberseries & Platino Industria, is evolving to meet the demands of an increasingly complex market. Now entering its sixth edition, the event—scheduled for September 29 to October 2—is shifting its focus from passive, speaker-led sessions toward a more aggressive, B2B-centric model designed to facilitate tangible international deal-making.
With accreditation numbers poised to shatter last year’s record of 2,500 attendees, the organizers are doubling down on creating a high-utility environment. For producers, financiers, and distributors, the message is clear: Iberseries is no longer just a forum for discussion; it is a marketplace for execution.
The Strategic Pivot: From Conversation to Commerce
For co-director Samuel Castro, the evolution of the event is a direct response to the feedback from industry participants. "Over the past few years, we focused a lot on fairly one-way conversations with speakers talking to an audience," Castro explains. "But we’re now also starting to promote more B2B activities: more business-focused opportunities and more spaces for people to meet and connect."
This transition is exemplified by the integration of the "Euro-Atlantic Series Co-Pro Pitch" program. This initiative specifically targets a cross-section of European TV projects that are seeking to bridge the gap between initial development and full-scale production. By curating this space, the organizers aim to move beyond theoretical debates and into the realm of structured, actionable investment.
Furthermore, the event has expanded its collaboration with the SGAE Foundation and DAMA (the audiovisual creators’ guild). This partnership has resulted in an intensive project incubator for screenwriters, where 14 selected projects—culled from nearly 300 submissions across fiction, documentary, and animation—will be presented directly to industry stakeholders.
Chronology of an Evolving Industry Event
The trajectory of Iberseries & Platino Industria mirrors the broader professionalization of the Ibero-American content market.
- Foundation and Early Years: Initially conceived as a platform to foster cultural exchange between the Spanish and Latin American markets, the event quickly established itself as the bridge between two continents.
- The Scaling Phase: By its third and fourth iterations, the confab began attracting major international streamers, moving beyond local television networks to include the global giants of the streaming era.
- The Current Era (The 6th Edition): The current shift marks a move toward "industrial integration." The event is no longer just highlighting content; it is highlighting the infrastructure, technological shifts, and regulatory frameworks that allow that content to exist.
This year’s edition is marked by the inaugural attendance of heavyweights such as the BBC, Arte, AppleTV+, Telefe Argentina, and Colombia’s Caracol TV, joining an elite group of buyers including Amazon MGM Studios/Prime Video, Netflix, AMC Networks, Banijay Entertainment, and ZDF Studios.
Supporting Data: A Marketplace in Numbers
The sheer scale of the event serves as a testament to the health of the Ibero-American audiovisual sector. The 2026 edition expects to host approximately 220 high-level buyers and 50 film commissioners. These figures are not merely vanity metrics; they represent a concentrated density of decision-makers.
The focus on Mexico as the featured country provides a compelling case study in this industrial shift. According to Adriana Castillo, general coordinator of Platino Industria, the choice of Mexico was a strategic decision based on the country’s "highly experienced professionals, strong infrastructure, studios, production services, and post-production and VFX capabilities."
Data on the 14 screenwriting projects selected for the DAMA incubator highlights a competitive landscape where 300 submissions were whittled down to a final cohort. This filtration process is indicative of the industry’s hunger for high-quality, market-ready intellectual property (IP).
Official Responses: Navigating the AI Frontier
Perhaps the most significant development in this year’s program is the comprehensive address of Artificial Intelligence. Juan Alia, the event’s co-director overseeing the film side of the business, notes that the event is positioning itself at the center of the debate regarding regulation and creator rights.
"The ability to create stories should always be based on a fully human, author-driven concept and development," says Samuel Castro. "AI should be used as a tool, not as an end in itself."
To ground this discussion in reality, the event will host an AI Workshop for creators led by Concepción Diaz, Google’s Head of AI Trainings EMEA. Beyond the technical workshops, the event will feature the world premiere of Pelagius, touted as Spain’s first feature film created using generative AI. Directed by Miguel Asensio Llamas, the film is a 97-minute historical epic that serves as a lightning rod for the industry.
"What’s most interesting about initiatives like Pelagius is the conversation they open up about the future of audiovisual creation," Alia adds. "Generative AI is introducing tools that could transform development, production, and post-production, and we’re still very much in an experimental phase."
Implications: The Future of Global Storytelling
The implications of these changes are profound. As the global market becomes increasingly fragmented, the necessity for a "hub" becomes paramount. The current challenges of the industry—financing complexity, crowded distribution windows, and the rapid adoption of new technologies like AI—require a centralized venue for collective problem-solving.
The Rise of Microdramas and New Formats
Beyond traditional film and series, the event is also acknowledging the shift in viewing habits. The rise of "microdramas"—content designed specifically for rapid, mobile-first consumption—is being scrutinized for its potential to disrupt traditional television models. As Alia points out, these formats are gaining significant traction, signaling a shift that producers must account for in their multi-platform strategies.
Mexico as a Global Gateway
The decision to focus on Mexico is more than a cultural celebration; it is an industrial signal. By showcasing Mexico’s production ecosystem, Iberseries is signaling to global streamers and financiers that the country is not merely a location for filming, but a hub for creative development and long-term co-production alliances. As Castillo notes, the goal is to shift the perception of the country from a place of "best-known names" to a robust, integrated partner in the global supply chain.
The Persistence of Creative Judgment
Despite the focus on technological advancement and AI integration, the core philosophy of Iberseries remains rooted in the human element. Alia warns that while data is a vital tool for informing decisions, it must not supersede creative judgment. The task for the modern producer, therefore, is to balance the algorithmic efficiency of the new era with the intuitive storytelling that has always defined the medium.
As the sixth edition of Iberseries & Platino Industria looms, the event stands at a crossroads. By successfully pivoting to a B2B model, engaging with the complexities of AI, and facilitating high-level partnerships, the confab is solidifying its role as an indispensable pillar of the international audiovisual sector. In a world where the only constant is change, the ability to connect, adapt, and innovate remains the ultimate competitive advantage.
Organized by EGEDA and Fundación Secuoya, in collaboration with FIPCA and supported by the Madrid Film Office and Madrid Film Region, this year’s event is set to provide the blueprint for the next generation of global audiovisual collaboration.
Jia Lissa
Lina Hope
