CIIF Market concludes its 22nd edition with an awards ceremony and a screening of *Tal vez*, by Arima León.
- The best projects from this edition have been recognized, and a special screening of the film “Tal Vez”—the debut feature by Canarian filmmaker Arima León—took place, attended by the director herself and actress Tania Santana.
- *Perto de Mim, Longe de Tudo*, by Filmes de Mentira (Brazil), has received the CIIF Market Santa Cruz de Tenerife Award for the Project with the Greatest International Potential, while the Canary Islands projects *Yo Gané*, by The Kung Fu Brothers, and *Harraga*, by Mercedes Ortega, have jointly shared the Cabildo de Tenerife Award.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, October 30, 2026. The Canary Islands International Film Market (CIIF Market) concluded its 22nd edition on Friday, October 30, following a week packed with professional activities, video pitches, and international meetings—featuring 22 projects from ten countries (seven of which are from the Canary Islands) and over 600 professional meetings.
The closing ceremony, held at the Espacio Price in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and hosted by actor and presenter Aarón Gómez, began with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the train accident that occurred on Wednesday in Urda (Toledo); out of respect, no speeches were given. The awards were presented in a simple manner—by announcing the name of each project—and the recipients gathered at the end for a group photograph.
Willy Ríos, director de CIIF Market, ha hecho balance de una edición que, según destacó, refleja la dimensión internacional del mercado y las oportunidades que surgen cuando productores, inversores y profesionales de distintos territorios se encuentran para compartir proyectos y construir nuevas colaboraciones.
“We have reached the conclusion of this 22nd edition of the CIIF Market with the satisfaction of continuing to grow and fulfilling our objective: to connect creative talent with the audiovisual industry, forge new partnerships, and advance projects with a real chance of reaching the screen,” he stated.
Ríos expressed his gratitude to the institutions, collaborating entities, professionals, and producers who have once again placed their trust in the market—enabling the CIIF Market to continue growing after more than two decades.
Following the awards ceremony, the audience attended a screening of *Tal vez*—the debut feature by filmmaker Arima León, from the Canary Islands—which was shot entirely on the island of Gran Canaria. Set in 1968 and inspired by trapeze artist Pinito del Oro and the Gran Canarian poet Natalia Sosa, the film is a story about love, memory, and freedom. The screening was attended by the director and the film’s co-lead actress, Tania Santana, both of whom took part in a discussion with the director of the CIIF Market prior to the film’s showing.
Review of the 22nd edition of the CIIF Market
Among the activities in this edition, the market has brought together a professional agenda featuring meetings, video pitches, networking sessions, a location tour, the CIIF Market Lab for participants, and screenings; it has also addressed challenges and opportunities that are transforming the sector—ranging from visual effects and artificial intelligence to the role of music in audiovisual media.
Ríos highlighted that one of the greatest rewards is seeing projects that pass through the CIIF Market complete their journey and become films—as is the case with *Tal vez*, the debut feature by Arima León. “Seeing a story that was selected for the market reach the screen gives meaning to our work and encourages us to continue supporting Canarian talent, as well as creators looking to forge a path in the industry,” he noted.
The market also hosted a screening of the short documentary *Abril, hoy no es invierno* (*April, Today It Is Not Winter*), by Mabel Lozano—a platform designed to shed light on significant social realities and reaffirm CIIF Market’s commitment to cinema that, beyond mere entertainment, helps raise awareness and drive change.
“The Canary Islands possess the talent, the conditions, and the capacity to remain a meeting point between Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Our commitment is to continue creating opportunities so that this connection translates into projects, co-productions, and new stories,” concluded the director of CIIF Market.
CIIF Market 2026 Awards: a boost for international and local talent
During the closing ceremony, the CIIF Market 2026 Awards were presented, recognizing projects with the greatest international potential and co-production prospects, as well as excellence in musical and technical creativity. The awards were conferred by various institutions and entities collaborating with the market, with the aim of further fostering the development and internationalization of cinematic talent.
*Agua Brava*, from Canica Films (Puerto Rico), was the most decorated project, receiving three awards, while *1615*, *Empatía*, and *Yo Gané* each received two.
– The CIIF Market Santa Cruz de Tenerife Award for the Project with the Greatest International Potential—which includes a travel grant of 3,000 euros to attend an international market of the recipient’s choice—is awarded to:
PERTO DE MIM, LONGE DE TUDO (Close to Me, Far from Everything), by Filmes de Mentira (Brazil). Its team—Diogo Leita da Silva (director and screenwriter) and Paula Aidar (producer)—was unable to attend [and sent a thank-you video; to be confirmed].
– Cabildo de Tenerife Award for the Canarian Project with the Greatest Potential, which includes free accreditation to attend an international film or audiovisual market of the recipient’s choice. This award is presented *ex aequo* to:
YO GANÉ, by The Kung Fu Brothers. Accepted by: Vasni Ramos (director, producer, and screenwriter).
HARRAGA, by Mercedes Ortega.
– MAFIZ (Málaga Festival Industry Zone) Award, presented to the best European project and the best Latin American project with the greatest co-production potential. This includes two accreditations per project to participate in the 2027 edition of MAFIZ—the industry section of the Málaga Festival—awarded to:
European project: *La mujer del río* (The Woman of the River), by Atekaleun (Spain).
Latin American project: *Agua brava* (Rough Waters), by Canica Films (Puerto Rico). Accepted by: Glorimar Marrero (director and screenwriter) and Vanessa López (producer).
– Music Library & SFX Award, for the best European project and the best Latin American project, consisting of a complimentary flat-rate license for professional music synchronization from their catalogs, facilitated through their music supervision division, Acorde. The award was presented by Ciro Hernández to:
European project: *AMPARO, PERO NO OLVIDO*, by Treboamedia (Spain). Accepted by: Paula Mariñas (executive producer).
Latin American project: *LOS HUECOS DE LA LUNA*, by Warmi Audiovisual (Peru). Accepted by: Norma Velázquez (executive producer), Paula D’Angelo (director and screenwriter), and Alejandra Castillo (producer).
– Blurr Stories Award, which provides professional laboratory services (conforming, online editing, and delivery—including DCP, ProRes HQ master, and H.264 master) to one European feature film and one Latin American feature film. It was presented by Fernanda Pérez, CEO and producer at Blurr Stories, and Jonathan Monroig, CEO and producer at Blurr Rojo, to:
European project: EMPATÍA, by Jorge Guimerá (Spain). Accepted by: Jorge Guimerá (director, producer, and screenwriter).
Latin American project: CRESPÍN, by Tarea Fina (Argentina).
– Vector de Ideas Award, for the Best European Project and the Best Latin American Project, including consulting on music supervision and licensing, two hours of recording time with a solo musician, and a complimentary license for one piece from their specialized catalog. The award was presented by Ciro Hernández, a composer at Vector de Ideas, to:
European project: EMPATÍA, by Jorge Guimerá (Spain). Accepted by: Jorge Guimerá (director, producer, and screenwriter).
Latin American project: LAS COSAS BUENAS LES PASAN A OTROS, by 80 Mundos (Argentina). Accepted by: María Eugenia Lombardi (producer).
– Cinexis Award, for the Best European Project, the Best Latin American Project, and the Best Canarian Project—including a guaranteed commercial exhibition window upon completion of the work, professional guidance, and access to an AI-driven analysis tool—awarded to:
European project: *1615*, by Atlantika Films (Spain). Accepted by: Nano Arrieta (producer).
Latin American project: *AGUA BRAVA*, by Canica Films (Puerto Rico). Accepted by: Glorimar Marrero (director and screenwriter) and Vanessa López (producer).
Canarian project: HARRAGA, by Mercedes Ortega.
– Con Un Pack International Sales Award for Best European Project and Best European-Latin American Project—including international representation and support valued at 3,000 euros to cover representation expenses—awarded to:
European project: STELLA MARIS, by Producciones 24Violets (Spain). Accepted by: Laura Muñoz Liaño (director, producer, and screenwriter).
Latin American project: AGUA BRAVA, by Canica Films (Puerto Rico). Accepted by: Glorimar Marrero (director and screenwriter) and Vanessa López (producer).
– The Pelip Award—from the AI-powered audiovisual pre-production platform—was presented for the Best Spanish Project and the Best Canary Islands Project, consisting of a six-month subscription to the “Production Company Plan,” which allows for up to five active projects and three users. Given the high quality of the submissions, Pelip also granted an additional award for the Best Latin American Project. It was presented by Coque Serrano and Edurne San José, founding partners of Pelip, to:
Spanish project: *1615*, by Atlantika Films (Spain). Accepted by: Nano Arrieta (producer).
Canarian project: *YO GANÉ*, by The Kung Fu Brothers. Accepted by: Vasni Ramos (director, producer, and screenwriter).
Latin American project: *HACE MUCHO TIEMPO QUE TE AMO* [I Have Loved You for a Long Time], by Miranda Films (Cuba). Accepted by: Ever Miranda (producer and screenwriter).
Additionally, the jury awarded a special mention for the quality of the projects submitted—presented by Willy Ríos, director of the CIIF Market—to:
*HACE MUCHO TIEMPO QUE TE AMO* [I Have Loved You for a Long Time], by Miranda Films (Cuba). Accepted by: Ever Miranda (producer and screenwriter).
About CIIF Market
The 22nd edition of the Canary Islands International Film Market took place from October 26 to 30 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, establishing itself as a key meeting point for the audiovisual industry. The event brought together producers, distributors, financial agents, and institutional representatives with the goal of fostering co-production, investment, and the international reach of film and television projects linked to the Canary Islands.
The market is promoted by Festay, Communication and Events, and is sponsored by the Tenerife Island Council, through the Department of Culture, Museums and Sports; the Government of the Canary Islands, through the Canary Islands Institute of Cultural Development, Canary Islands Film and PROEXCA; and the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council, through the Development Corporation. Macaronesia Films; with the collaboration of Turismo de Tenerife—through the Tenerife Film Commission—and the Audiovisual Cluster of the Canary Islands, among other entities.
