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Spain’s Ministry of Digital Transformation has announced a significant financial commitment to strengthen the San Sebastián Film Festival’s industry programming. The ministry will serve as the exclusive sponsor of the festival’s professional events, providing €500,000 in funding. This investment will support key initiatives including the Creative Investors’ Conference, organized jointly with CAA Media Finance, and the Conference on Leading the Audiovisual of the Future.
The funding initiative reflects San Sebastián’s established position as a major hub for entertainment industry activity. The festival has cultivated a robust informal marketplace attracting top-tier sales agents from Spain and France, while also drawing prominent filmmakers and producers from Latin America. Last year, the festival hosted a record 2,411 industry delegates, demonstrating its growing influence in the international film market.
The support package also includes increased prize money for the Zinemaldia Startup Challenge, a technology-focused pitching event, with the leading Spanish project award rising to €30,000. This financial boost aligns with Spain’s broader Audiovisual Hub of Europe Plan, a €1.6 billion government initiative designed to strengthen the country’s film and television sectors through investment and strategic development.
Festival director José Luis Rebordinos emphasized that the government backing will accelerate growth in the festival’s professional department and elevate its status among international audiovisual leaders. Spanish Digital Transformation Minister Oscar López highlighted how this commitment reinforces infrastructure vital to connecting Spanish talent with global investment opportunities.
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Originally reported by Variety →
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