IsLABentura Canarias 2025: A New Dawn for Cinematic Storytelling in the Canary Islands

Fuerteventura – The Launch Pad

Fuerteventura has been chosen as the launching point for the 2025 edition of IsLABentura Canarias, an international laboratory dedicated to identifying exceptional narrative ideas aimed at crafting screenplays for film and television that reflect the unique essence of the Canary Islands. This innovative initiative is organized by the Government of the Canary Islands through Canary Islands Film and also receives vital support from local island councils.

Meeting the Creative Minds

The journey begins in the capital of Fuerteventura, where participants will connect with a prestigious team of experts. Following this initial meeting, each writer will travel to the specific location that inspired their story. This immersive experience is designed to help them gather detailed documentation essential for shaping their future films or series.

New Opportunities and Expanded Capacity

Under the guidance of Cristóbal de la Rosa, the Director General of Cultural Innovation and Creative Industries in the Canary Islands, the fourth edition of IsLABentura Canarias is set to welcome sixteen talented participants—an increase of two from previous editions. The scope of this year’s laboratory has also broadened to include scripts for animated films, in addition to seven feature films and seven fictional series. Both El Hierro and Lanzarote will feature three selected scripts, showcasing the diversity of storytelling across all islands.

The Intensive Process

Following the first gathering in Fuerteventura, participants will have six months to finalize their scripts, guided by their advisory team. Their journey doesn’t end there—after the Fuerteventura kickoff, participants will spend three days in the islands where their stories unfold, before regrouping in the Fuerteventura capital for a training session on ‘The Inevitable Pitch’ and being mentored by industry professionals like Josep Gatell and Javier Olivares (renowned for his work on El Ministerio del Tiempo).

The Journey Continues

The collaborative process continues online until a second in-person meeting in July in Gran Canaria, followed by a culminating experience in La Palma in October. It’s at this final stage where participants will present their scripts to local, national, and international production companies invited by the Government of the Canary Islands.

Diverse Narratives from Each Island

Fuerteventura Contributions

Fuerteventura will contribute several captivating narratives, including a feature film titled ‘Isla de Lobos’ by Yaiza Berrocal, a suspenseful thriller centered on soldiers stationed on the island. The series ‘Siempreviva’, authored by Gracia Solera, depicts a unique road movie about a family making a living through post-mortem portraits. This year, Fuerteventura is also celebrated for its previous winning scripts, such as ‘Una lady victoriana en Tindaya’ and ‘Dinamita’.

Spotlight on Other Islands

• Tenerife brings us ‘Abril es joven’, a film exploring existential queries around midlife crises, and ‘Mucha Mierda’, a comedic series spotlighting the life of an amateur theatre group.

• From Gran Canaria, there’s ‘Días de julio’, set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War, and ‘8 islas para decirte adiós’, narrating a couple’s poignant journey through the islands during a tumultuous time.

• La Palma features two poignant stories—‘Kipuka, una isla en un mar de lava’, focusing on volcanic devastation, and ‘Nana de lava y salitre’, addressing gender-based violence.

• Lanzarote offers ‘Goda’, a narrative on childhood and family dynamics, and ‘Malvasía’, weaving in the world of wine, alongside an animated project ‘López y el factor marino’.

• La Gomera has two notable series: ‘Desde aquí se ve el mar’, rooted in personal experience, and the intriguing ‘No me lo creo’, which humorously tackles the idea of a peculiar sect.

• El Hierro contributes three innovative scripts, including the feature ‘Pobres Diablas’, exploring youth and humor, and the animation ‘Murió entre las olas’, spotlighting a young artist’s mysterious disappearance at sea.

Curriculum for Mentorship

The mentorship team is comprised of experienced professionals like Pepe Coira (known for Hierro), Marta Buchaca (Fenómenas), and David Muñoz (El comisario). They will guide participants in refining their narratives, providing crucial feedback that will shape the final outcomes.

Celebrating Collaborative Spirit

IsLABentura Canarias stands as a robust initiative fostering collaboration between various entities, including the Instituto Canario de Desarrollo Cultural, Proexca, and local film commissions across the seven islands. This collaborative approach extends to partnerships with organizations like *DAMA, Movistar+, and the Canary Islands International Film Market, all working towards nurturing new talent and groundbreaking narratives in the audiovisual landscape of the Canary Islands.

Selected Projects in Spotlight

Series of Fiction

One standout project is ‘Mucha mierda’, which humorously encapsulates the life of a typical Spanish family, steeped in drama and charm. Through comedic lenses, it delves into the nature of familial relations. The series ‘8 islas para decirte adiós’ offers a heartfelt narrative of love and loss, reflecting the inherent beauty and complexities of life in the Canary Islands.

Animation Featurettes

The animated tale ‘Murió entre las olas’ narrates the life and tragic disappearance of a young artist, interweaving rich visual storytelling with emotional depth. Another notable project, ‘López y el factor marino’, invites audiences into a whimsical underwater world, cleverly reflecting societal truths through its familial lens.

Feature Films

‘Kipuka, una isla en un mar de lava’ draws on real-life stories of loss and resilience rooted in volcanic history, while ‘La Isla de los Lobos’ presents a dramatic exploration of military tension in an unforgiving landscape. These stories not only entertain but also provoke thought about the human experience and our connections to place and history.

IsLABentura Canarias 2025 promises a vibrant tapestry of narratives, promising to illuminate the rich culture and diverse experiences found across the Canary Islands through the lens of cinema and television. Each script selected carries the echoes of its island’s heart, ready to unfold captivating stories on screens around the globe.