– New works by filmmakers such as Helena Girón and Samuel Delgado, Eloy Enciso, Gala Hernández, Víctor Iriarte and Federico Luis form part of the third edition of the professional programme
Las islas afortunadas by Helena Girón and Samuel Delgado
ECAM Forum will hold its third edition from 9 to 11 June in Madrid, consolidating its position as a platform that brings together some of the most influential voices in international film. At a pivotal moment for Spanish cinema globally, the event has become a meeting point for leading figures in independent filmmaking, serving both as a promotional platform for Spanish cinema and attracting foreign filmmakers to co-produce and collaborate with Spain.
This year’s call for entries drew significant interest: 204 projects were submitted to the Films to Come section and 86 to the Last Push section, reflecting the Forum’s growing international appeal. The Films to Come selection committee included, among others, Facundo Lema, head of Rotterdam Lab; Lison Hervé, coordinator of Les Arcs Industry; producers Tatiana Leite and Ariadna Dot; and director and producer Samuel Delgado. The Last Push committee was composed of programmer Violeta Bava, a consultant for the Venice and New York Film Festivals; Diana David, from the Toronto International Film Festival; Pamela Bienzobas, from the Locarno Film Festival; and Cédric Succivalli, from Giornate degli Autori.
A defining feature of this year’s selection is its strong emphasis on international co‑production. The chosen projects come from a wide range of regions spanning Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, featuring films from countries such as Spain, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Greece, Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany and Palestine. This year’s selection paints a vibrant portrait of contemporary cinema, bringing together diverse projects across fiction and non-fiction, and embrace a wide range of genres and narrative approaches.
The Last Push section, which this year expands its support to ten projects, is aimed at films in post-production and offers a €15,000 prize. The selection offers a glimpse of the films to come, featuring projects by leading Latin American filmmakers such as Federico Luis (winner of the Cannes Critics’ Week award in 2024 for Simón de la montaña) and Paz Fábrega (Cold Water of the Sea), and new works by Spanish directors such as Eloy Enciso (Endless Night), Helena Girón and Samuel Delgado (They Carry Death) and Marc Ferrer (¡Corten!).
The Films to Come section is dedicated to feature film projects in the development stage that are seeking funding, co-production opportunities and international visibility. Fifteen projects are taking part in this edition: five come from the ECAM Incubator, three are the result of collaborations with BAM Bogotá, MAFIZ and Abycine, and seven have been selected through the open call for entries.
The selected projects:
Last Push
Adiós, ríos – Sebastián Uría (Spain)
Production: Gael Herrera (Tamboura Films)
Al Futuro – Paz Fábrega (Costa Rica/Uruguay/Spain)
Production: Pamela Guinea (Temporal Films), Carla Sospedra (Edna Cinema)
Amor es el monstruo – Neto Villalobos Brenes (Costa Rica/Peru/Panama/Chile)
Production: Ana Lucia Arias (La Sucia Centroamericana), Clara Larraín (Clara Films), Jimena Hospina (Cine Infinito), Isabella Galvez (Expansiva Cine)
Cinemanía – Marc Ferrer (Spain)
Production: Carlos Pardo (DVEIN Films), Gema Arquero, Marga Sardá (DEBUT Films)
El cumpleaños de Pehuen en España – Federico Luis (Argentina)
Production: Jerónimo Quevedo (Un Puma)
Las cosas indefinidas II – María Aparicio (Argentina)
Production: Rodrigo Guerrero (La Buena Hora), Ana María Apontes, Ramiro Solzini (Las Flores)
Las islas afortunadas – Helena Girón and Samuel Delgado (Spain/Greece)
Production: Jamie Weiss, Marina Alberti (El Viaje), Vicky Miha (Asterisk*), La Banda Negra
Las noches – Ana Bovino (Argentina)
Production: Natalia de la Vega (Navega Cine)
Les Indes – Pauline Julier and Nicolas Chapoulier (Switzerland/Spain)
Production: Eugenia Mumenthaler, David Epiney (Alina Film), Ariadna Dot (Lastor Media)
Todo es cárcel – Eloy Enciso (Spain)
Production: Beli Martínez (Filmika Galaika), Marina Perales, Fran Ruvira (Umbracle Cine)
Films to Come
Chentian – Suha Arraf (Palestine/Germany)
Production: May Odeh (Mayana Films)
El corquim – Laura Obradors (Spain)
Production: Sergio Adriá (Espurna Films)
El ruido de las largas distancias – Leinad Pájaro de la Hoz (Colombia)
Production: María Alejandra Rodríguez Acosta (BØLIER Films)
Handen – Ángel Filgueira (Spain)
Production: Silvia Fuentes, Anxos Fazans (Sétima)
La hija bastarda – Olivia Delcán (Spain)
Production: César Esteban Alenda (Solita Films), Ander Sagardoy (Sumendi Filmak)
La trama fantasma – Nicolás Schujman (Argentina)
Production: Ingrid Pokropek (36 Caballos)
Las manos quietas – Víctor Diago (Spain)
Production: Andrés Mellinas (Diacrònic), Montse Pujol (Boogaloo)
Les animaux magnétiques – Gala Hernández López (France/Spain)
Production: Eve Robin (New Sight), Montse Triola (Caos Dept)
Nuestra piel levantada – Paolo Natale (Spain)
Production: Manuela Gutiérrez Arrieta, Alejandro González (Mubox Studio)
O Jardim das Delícias – Rafaela Camelo (Brazil)
Production: Daniela Marinho (Moveo Filmes), Apoteótica Cinematográfica
Os reis imaxinarios – Eire Cid (Spain)
Production: Bea Villar (Brava)
País de nieve – Víctor Iriarte (Spain/France)
Production: Valerie Delpierre (Inicia Films), Palmeras Salvajes, Andrea Queralt (4A4 Production)
Palomita errante – Enrique Buleo (Spain)
Production: María Beltrán, Manuel Pereira (Cabiria Film Media)
African Grey – Yorgos Goussis (Greece/Bulgaria)
Production: Konstantinos Koukoulis (Plankton Films), Portokal Films
El participio del verbo oír – Miguel Machetti (Spain)
Production: Gelatina Películas
(Translated from Spanish)
