Canary Islands Animation Sector Aims to Retain Talent Through New Industry Forum

The Canary Islands’ animation industry is working to build a stronger, more stable business foundation to keep local talent from leaving the region. According to organizers of the upcoming Tajea forum, the local audiovisual sector now faces the challenge of turning its well-known creative talent into a sustainable industry with a global reach.

The event, supported by the La Laguna City Council’s Department of Local Development, will take place this Saturday at the former convent of Santo Domingo. From 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., the venue will host a series of sessions designed to connect students, artists, and industry professionals. Organizers Alicia González and Guillermo Peraza launched the initiative to provide a space where creators can pitch ideas, discuss market challenges, and build professional networks.

Councilman Domingo Galván emphasized that these meetings are vital for the local job market. The focus on animation is strategic: thanks to tax incentives and a growing pool of technical expertise, the sector is becoming a key source of high-quality jobs for the next generation. The event will feature networking, open forums, and "elevator pitch" presentations, all aimed at helping local ideas flourish without creators needing to move away.

These gatherings are part of a wider effort across Spain to decentralize the audiovisual industry. For the Tajea organizers, the goal is to move beyond mere creative potential and reach an industrial maturity that allows professionals to build long-term careers within the Canary Islands. Achieving this will require ongoing public-private collaboration and open discussions about the practical hurdles still facing the industry.