In a historic move, Iberseries & Platino Industria announced the formation of a selection committee for its Co Production and Financing Forum. The three‑person panel brings together Ventana Sur founder Bernardo Bergeret, acclaimed showrunner Joanna Lombardi and TV Film International partner Karina Dolgiej. Their mandate is to evaluate submissions and narrow the field to a shortlist of forty projects that will receive further support.
Why the Committee Represents a Turning Point
The forum, now in its fifth year, has traditionally relied on an open review process. By appointing a dedicated committee, the organizers aim to bring greater consistency, industry insight and strategic vision to the selection stage. Rodrigo Ros, the forum’s general coordinator, explained that the new structure will help identify projects with strong trans‑national appeal and commercial potential.
Profiles of the Three Committee Members
Bernardo Bergeret – Founder of Ventana Sur and BloodWindow
Bernardo Bergeret is a veteran of the global film market. As the founder of Ventana Sur, he has overseen the sales of hundreds of titles and helped launch the careers of directors such as Pablo Larraín and Sebastián Lelio. His experience in negotiating co‑production deals across Europe and Latin America makes him a valuable asset for evaluating cross‑border projects.
Joanna Lombardi – Award Winning Showrunner
Joanna Lombardi gained international recognition for her work on the series La Casa de Papel spin‑off and the drama El Tiempo. Her background in narrative development and series structure equips her to assess story‑driven proposals and gauge their potential for series adaptation.
Karina Dolgiej – TV Film International Executive
Karina Dolgiej leads the Iberian branch of TV Film International, a company that specializes in financing and distributing premium television content. Her expertise lies in aligning creative concepts with market trends, especially in the streaming era.
Selection Process and Impact on Iberian Production
The committee received more than one hundred submissions from producers across Spain, Portugal, Latin America and beyond. After an initial screening, each member reviewed the projects independently before convening to discuss their assessments. The final shortlist of forty projects reflects a balance of genres, formats and cultural perspectives.
Key criteria included:
- Originality of the story
- Feasibility of co‑production across borders
- Potential for international distribution
- Alignment with the strategic goals of Iberseries and Platino Industria
The selected projects will now enter a mentorship phase, receiving guidance on financing structures, market positioning and festival strategy. Successful participants may also gain access to the Iberseries Market, where buyers and distributors converge.
Highlights from the Shortlist
While the full list remains confidential, the committee disclosed several notable entries:
- A drama set in the Basque Country that explores post‑industrial identity.
- A sci‑fi limited series co‑produced by a Spanish studio and a Brazilian network.
- An animated feature that adapts a classic Portuguese folk tale for a global audience.
- A documentary series on the impact of climate change on Mediterranean agriculture.
These examples illustrate the forum’s commitment to diversity of voice and format, as well as its focus on stories that can travel beyond their local markets.
Industry Reactions and Expectations
Industry observers have praised the move toward a curated selection model. Variety noted that the presence of seasoned professionals on the committee could raise the overall quality of projects entering the Iberian market. Likewise, the official Iberseries website highlighted the committee’s role in fostering stronger partnerships between European and Latin American producers.
Producers who missed the initial deadline are already planning to submit to the next edition, hoping that the new process will provide clearer guidance on what the market seeks.
Future Outlook for Iberian Co Production
With the committee’s work underway, the forum is set to become a cornerstone of Iberian co‑production strategy. The collaboration between Ventana Sur, TV Film International and local creators signals a growing confidence in the region’s ability to generate content that competes on the world stage.
Looking ahead, the organizers intend to expand the mentorship component, offering more tailored financing packages and stronger links to streaming platforms. If the current cohort of projects succeeds, it could pave the way for a permanent selection body that meets annually.
For now, the industry watches closely as the forty shortlisted projects move through the next phase, hoping they will translate into successful series, films and documentaries that showcase the rich cultural tapestry of Iberia and Latin America.
Comments
No comments yet. Be first.
Please log in to comment.