Ibermedia Next Consolidates as a Catalyst for Ibero-American Animation

At Málaga’s Mafiz industry zone, Ibermedia Next emerged as more than a funding mechanism. Backed by European Next Generation funds through Spain’s Audiovisual Hub of Europe drive, the initiative is increasingly functioning as a practical engine for animated projects across Ibero-America, supporting not just development materials but also the cross-border alliances needed to move them forward.

Moderating the session, Jara Ayúcar, director of marketing policy at Spain’s Icaa, described Ibermedia Next as “an innovative aid line in itself,” designed to support projects with a technological component tied to both production and artistic development.

Across three calls, the program received 250 submissions and selected 43 projects, awarding up to €150,000 per title, along with mentoring, consultancies and access to key animation events. In Málaga, however, the clearest case for the initiative came from the beneficiaries themselves.

Speakers stressed that Ibermedia Next has done more than inject cash into the pipeline. It…