Tenerife’s 22nd CIIF Market Aims to Transform Islands into Global Hub for VFX and Socially Conscious Cinema
The 22nd CIIF Market has launched in Tenerife, aiming to transform the island into a global hub for post-production and visual effects while promoting cinema focused on social advocacy.
The 22nd CIIF Market has opened in Tenerife with two main goals: establishing the islands as a strategic hub for the technical film industry and championing cinema with a strong social conscience. Organizers say the event is a chance to evaluate the local audiovisual sector, which aims to move beyond being just a filming location and instead become a center for post-production and visual effects (VFX).
Industry experts from companies like Flaming Frames, 22 Dogs, and Blurr Rojo have outlined a clear path forward. They emphasize the need to professionalize local talent and update infrastructure to keep pace with artificial intelligence. By integrating visual effects early in the pre-production process, Canarian productions can lower costs and become more competitive globally. With support from the Tenerife Film Commission, the goal is to keep more value within the islands by encouraging co-productions and stronger partnerships between businesses and schools.
Beyond the technical side, the market is highlighting cinema’s power to shed light on important social issues. A major highlight of the opening day was the screening of Mabel Lozano’s short film, Abril, hoy no es invierno. The film, which explores the sexual exploitation of women with disabilities, is a precursor to a feature-length version currently finishing production in Tenerife.
Starring Michelle Jenner, Inés Rodríguez, and Luis Tosar, and produced by Eduardo Campoy and Lozano, the project reflects the CIIF Market’s dedication to films that combine strong storytelling with social advocacy. Representatives from the Government of the Canary Islands and the Cabildo of Tenerife attended the post-screening discussion, underscoring the importance of public-private partnerships. These collaborations aim to create content that not only drives the economy but also raises awareness about gender-based violence and the protection of vulnerable groups.
The event, which also included location tours to attract future international projects, confirms that the islands are becoming a hub where technological innovation and social responsibility work together to strengthen the Canarian film industry on the world stage.