The Canary Islands showcased the strength and talent of their audiovisual and video game sectors in Madrid at a high-impact event held in Plaza de Callao, which brought together more than 300 professionals and leading companies in the industry. The initiative, promoted by Proexca, marked the successful conclusion of a networking event aimed at positioning the archipelago as a strategic territory for the development of animation, film, video game and digital content projects.
The central location in Madrid became a meeting point for producers, creators, studios and media outlets interested in learning first-hand about the potential offered by the Canary Islands in areas such as animation, fiction and advertising film, visual effects (VFX), post-production and the video game industry.
The event was organised by Proexca in collaboration with the Canary Islands Audiovisual Cluster and the regional video game associations ACADEVI and ARCADEV, and was supported by the Directorate-General for Cultural Innovation and Creative Industries of the Canary Islands Government. The event was attended by big names in the industry, established and emerging companies, as well as representatives of specialised media, on a day in which Canarian talent and the competitive advantages of the archipelago took centre stage.
The Deputy Minister of the Presidency and President of Proexca, Alfonso Cabello, was responsible for opening the meeting. During his speech, he highlighted the excitement generated by the Canarian industry in the capital and the creative atmosphere of the event. ‘Seeing everything that the industry in the Canary Islands has contributed and the response from companies on the mainland and the media is really exciting. This is an environment where ideas flow and from which, without a doubt, important projects will emerge,’ he said.
From early afternoon, Plaza de Callao was transformed into a showcase for Canarian audiovisual talent. Around 30,000 people passed through the area and were able to enjoy the screening of images from some of the main productions developed on the islands. The two large outdoor screens at the Callao Cinemas, facing both the square and Gran Vía, showed films, animations, video games, VFX and post-production for an hour, showcasing the technical, creative and scenic capabilities of the archipelago.
The programme continued on the terrace of the Callao Cinemas with a discussion that brought together renowned figures with close ties to the Canary Islands, such as actress Toni Acosta, director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, producer and screenwriter Kike Maíllo and co-founder of Morgana Studio, Jaime Cano. The discussion, moderated by comedian Darío López, also featured the participation of the director general of the Spanish Video Game Association (AEVI), José María Moreno.
During the conversation, the speakers shared their professional experiences and reflected on the growth of the audiovisual and video game ecosystem in the Canary Islands, highlighting the consolidation of the sector in recent years, the increase in creative talent and the existence of a highly competitive tax framework, considered one of the most advantageous in Europe.
Beyond the discussion, the event offered a networking space designed to facilitate direct contact between Canarian companies and professionals from the mainland, promoting the generation of synergies, strategic alliances and new business opportunities in the archipelago. This environment made it possible to highlight the potential of the islands’ companies and strengthen their international profile.
The event also served to reinforce the Canary Islands Government’s new communication strategy, ‘Canary Islands, our best version’, an umbrella brand that brings together all the agents involved in the internationalisation of the Canary Islands’ economy. This visual and conceptual identity symbolises the process of transformation that the archipelago is undergoing and reinforces its position nationally and internationally as a competitive, innovative territory open to talent.
In this context, the event held in Madrid has established itself as a key tool for attracting companies and professionals seeking to grow in a favourable environment, while enabling Canary Islands companies to boost their visibility and advance their expansion processes.
The Plaza de Callao thus became the perfect showcase for islands where projects can grow and people can reach their full potential.
