Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, Isabel Coixet Among First Ibermedia Next Funding Winners
29.11.2023 - 20:43
/ variety.com
John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, Spain’s Isabel Coixet and Chile’s Bernardita Ojeda, director of “Petit,” feature among the first recipients of funding from Ibermedia Next, a pioneering attempting to fund development on pioneering new IPs which yoke large artistic ambition and cutting edge tech. García Bernal and Luna’s Mexico-based label La Corriente del Golfo co-produces one of the 14 winning submissions, “El Origen De La Experiencia,” which offers a VR immersive experience of Mexican mysticism and trance culture.
Both will also voice characters. Coixet is set to direct “Sophia (Sofía),” with Milena Smit, star of Pedro Almodóvar’s “Parallel Mothers.” Bernardita Ojeda, director on milestone Chilean toon series such as “Petit,” the International Emmy-nominated and Quirino Awards winner, produces two titles.
Also in the mix is Portugal’s David Doutel, whose shimmering, mottled social realist mood piece “Garrano,” proved a standout at Annecy and Sundance, and UniKo, producers 0f “Unicorn Wars.” Projects win a total €2.1 million ($2.2 million9. The prestige of simply being selected out of 104 projects may be as important.
In general, titles show a massive bet for European open source programs, Blender being used on 12 of the 14 winners. Titles run a gamut of teasers (35,71%), pilots (28,57%), shorts (14,28%), prototypes (14,28%), VR installation (7,14%) and other VR experiences (28,27%).
Funding was sourced from the E.U.’s Next Generation funds, while tghe scheme have bee supported by both the Quirino Awards and La Liga de la Animación Iberoamericana. Spain has led Ibermedia Next, especially by its ICAA film agency, which has created a bridge between Europe and Latin
.