During 2017, the Basque audiovisual industry has demonstrated its capacity to continue moving forward and adapting to a complex general scenario that is filled with uncertainties and that is subject to changes in regulations, especially in terms of cinematographic production, that should serve to strengthen the position of our businesses.
The analysis of trends in recent years - in terms of both the presence and normalisation of Basque productions in the audiovisual arena - is favourable. In terms of works produced in the Basque language, we have succeeded in strengthening this same trend, promoting the creation, production and distribution of these works.
In the latest San Sebastián Film Festival, the scenario in terms of companies linked with IBAIA has been extremely positive. There have been two feature-length projects that have been in the official section: “Handia” and“Morir”. “Operación Concha” succeeded in filling up the velodrome, “Nur eta herensugearen tenplua” captured the imaginations of younger audience members and “Elkarrekin Together” was tasked with opening the Zinemira section. Two of the projects that took part in the workshops organised by Europea Creativa Desk MEDIA Euskadi won prizes in the San Sebastíán Film Festival: Dantza, by Txintxua Films, won the Glocal In Progress prize and Akelarre, by Lamia Producciones, was awarded the ARTE International Prize. “Las letras de Jordi,” produced by Sr&Sra, took the award for the Ikusmira Berriak section, which consists of initial economic support for the start of the project and, subsequently, provisions for post-production from REC Grabaketa Estudioa.
In addition to this, another testament to the hard work and enthusiastic efforts of an entire year is the fact that many productions and professionals have submitted their applications for the 2018 Goya prizes, with great ambition and with the strong conviction that several nominations may be confirmed.
In terms of television production, we find ourselves facing a shifting scenario with an accelerated digital convergence which continues to be strongly influenced by ETB budget restrictions. This complicates the consolidation of a stable, continuous and high-quality production, but in any case, despite potential difficulties and despite technological challenges presented by the current audiovisual market, our companies continue to create and develop increasingly competitive, multi-platform formats: not only for public television but also for large private operators and for new platforms.
The Basque audiovisual industry is proving that it has the capacity to adapt to new trends. In terms of the coming year, there are already projects underway that have generated considerable expectations since the beginning. Together, these projects will help to strengthen a stable cinema and television production in the Basque Country, built on a foundation of practicable projects of high cultural and artistic quality.