CIIF Market Concludes 22nd Edition, Solidifying Tenerife as Atlantic Film Hub

The 22nd edition of the CIIF Market recently wrapped up in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, cementing its status as a key hub for the Atlantic film industry. The event concluded on October 30th after a busy schedule that highlighted the importance of international co-production. In today’s industry, success increasingly depends on regional markets that can attract talent and investment outside of traditional hubs like Madrid or Barcelona.

This year’s results demonstrate the market's growing influence: over 600 business meetings were held to discuss 22 audiovisual projects from 12 different countries. Local production was well-represented, accounting for seven of the featured projects. Market director Willy Ríos noted that the event’s success stems from its ability to build a global network, helping creators find the funding and distribution they need to compete internationally.

The closing ceremony, held at Espacio Price and hosted by Aarón Gómez, was kept brief and professional. Out of respect for the victims of the recent railway accident in Urda, the organizers canceled the usual speeches, focusing instead on the award presentations and a group photo.

The event concluded with a screening of Tal vez, the debut feature from director Arima León. Filmed entirely in Gran Canaria, the movie highlights the rise of island-based auteur cinema by weaving the stories of figures like Pinito del Oro and Natalia Sosa into a narrative about historical memory. Following the screening, León and actress Tania Santana discussed the challenges of filming on the islands. Their conversation underscored how the local industry is leveraging tax incentives and unique locations to attract international projects, helping to strike a balance between commercial success and independent storytelling.