CONFERENCES
CIIF MARKET
CIIF Market 2025 has scheduled several days of conferences and networking, where experienced professionals will discuss current trends in the film and audiovisual industry. These sessions are open to in-person professionals and students, subject to capacity.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Producir en Canarias ꘡ Las claves del engranaje financiero
Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey Hotel (Nivaria Room)
Panelists:
José Ramón Barrera Hernández – Commissioner of the REF (Economic and Tax Regime of the Canary Islands)
Carmen Aguado – Écija Legal & Advisory Canarias
Fernando V. Rodríguez Sanso – Bankinter
Moderator:
Ana Cristina Armas – Head of Culture / RNE Canarias
José Ramón Barrera Hernández – Commissioner of the REF (Economic and Tax Regime of the Canary Islands)
Carmen Aguado – Écija Legal & Advisory Canarias
Fernando V. Rodríguez Sanso – Bankinter
Moderator:
Ana Cristina Armas – Head of Culture / RNE Canarias
The Canary Islands’ fiscal and financial framework offers a set of incentives unique in Europe for audiovisual production. This panel brings together representatives from the legal, banking, and institutional sectors to analyze how to take full advantage of the Economic and Fiscal Regime (REF), the financing mechanisms, and the available support instruments. A practical session to understand the economic keys that underpin the success of audiovisual production in the Canary Islands.
Panelists
José Ramón Barrera Hernández
Commissioner of the Economic and Tax Regime of the Canary Islands (Economic and Tax Regime of the Canary Islands)
Institution Profile:
The Commissariat for the Economic and Fiscal Regime (EFR) of the Canary Islands was established during the current legislative term, which began in mid-2023. The incumbent holds the rank of regional minister and is a member of the Governing Council, alongside the president, vice president and other ministers of the Canary Islands Government. His office is administratively attached to the Ministry of Finance and Relations with the EU. The EFR’s responsibilities include raising public awareness of the regime, monitoring compliance, and modernising its measures to adapt to the current economy and future challenges facing the archipelago.
The Commissariat for the Economic and Fiscal Regime (EFR) of the Canary Islands was established during the current legislative term, which began in mid-2023. The incumbent holds the rank of regional minister and is a member of the Governing Council, alongside the president, vice president and other ministers of the Canary Islands Government. His office is administratively attached to the Ministry of Finance and Relations with the EU. The EFR’s responsibilities include raising public awareness of the regime, monitoring compliance, and modernising its measures to adapt to the current economy and future challenges facing the archipelago.
Bio:
José Ramón Barrera Hernández (Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 1972) has a degree in Economics and Business Studies and Law, as well as a Master’s degree in Taxation from IE Business School and executive training from ESADE. Having worked for international consulting firms, he co-founded ASSAP Auditores, a pioneer in tax consultancy for the film industry. He has also taught at the University of La Laguna. He is also an author and a regular media analyst. In 2023, he became the first commissioner to the Canary Islands Government’s EFR (Economic and Fiscal Regime).
José Ramón Barrera Hernández (Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 1972) has a degree in Economics and Business Studies and Law, as well as a Master’s degree in Taxation from IE Business School and executive training from ESADE. Having worked for international consulting firms, he co-founded ASSAP Auditores, a pioneer in tax consultancy for the film industry. He has also taught at the University of La Laguna. He is also an author and a regular media analyst. In 2023, he became the first commissioner to the Canary Islands Government’s EFR (Economic and Fiscal Regime).
Carmen Aguado
Ecija Legal & Adisory Canarias | Managing Partner, Canary Islands
Company Profile:
ECIJA is one of the top 10 firms in Latin America, according to Chambers & Partners’ and Legal 500’s ranking of the best law firms in the Spanish market. Founded in 1997, ECIJA has established itself as one of the leading independent, multidisciplinary law firms in Spain, with over 600 highly qualified lawyers and 140 partners who have previously worked at firms in the UK and US, including Baker & McKenzie, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters and Ashurst. This makes ECIJA the law firm with the largest presence in Latin America.
ECIJA is one of the top 10 firms in Latin America, according to Chambers & Partners’ and Legal 500’s ranking of the best law firms in the Spanish market. Founded in 1997, ECIJA has established itself as one of the leading independent, multidisciplinary law firms in Spain, with over 600 highly qualified lawyers and 140 partners who have previously worked at firms in the UK and US, including Baker & McKenzie, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters and Ashurst. This makes ECIJA the law firm with the largest presence in Latin America.
Bio:
Carmen, with more than fifteen years’ experience providing tax and commercial advice to companies, Carmen specialises in entertainment sector taxation. She has extensive experience of implementing tax incentives and designing tax structures, and has advised numerous leading production companies in Spain. Carmen also holds the position of vice-president of the Canary Islands Audiovisual Cluster.
Carmen, with more than fifteen years’ experience providing tax and commercial advice to companies, Carmen specialises in entertainment sector taxation. She has extensive experience of implementing tax incentives and designing tax structures, and has advised numerous leading production companies in Spain. Carmen also holds the position of vice-president of the Canary Islands Audiovisual Cluster.
Fernando V. Rodríguez Sanso
Bankinter | Director of International Business
Financial Entity Profile:
Bankinter reaffirms its commitment to audiovisual production companies by offering them innovative financial solutions that are tailored to their specific needs. Through its Financial Structuring Area, the bank will demonstrate how it structures financing operations with a tax component — a customised mechanism of great interest to this sector. The International Business Department will discuss tools such as tax rebate advances and international contracts, which allow production companies to optimise their resources and access strategic financing. By participating in the CIIF Market, Bankinter strengthens its ties with key regional, national and international players, and demonstrates its firm support for the audiovisual industry by providing companies with innovative, specialised financial solutions.
Bankinter reaffirms its commitment to audiovisual production companies by offering them innovative financial solutions that are tailored to their specific needs. Through its Financial Structuring Area, the bank will demonstrate how it structures financing operations with a tax component — a customised mechanism of great interest to this sector. The International Business Department will discuss tools such as tax rebate advances and international contracts, which allow production companies to optimise their resources and access strategic financing. By participating in the CIIF Market, Bankinter strengthens its ties with key regional, national and international players, and demonstrates its firm support for the audiovisual industry by providing companies with innovative, specialised financial solutions.
Bio:
Fernando Rodríguez is the Director of International Business at Bankinter in the Canary Islands. He holds a degree in Economic Law from the University of Deusto and has 25 years’ experience financing companies in the Canary Islands at Bankinter. His responsibilities include structuring international operations, financing and advising import and export companies, and developing internationalisation plans.
Fernando Rodríguez is the Director of International Business at Bankinter in the Canary Islands. He holds a degree in Economic Law from the University of Deusto and has 25 years’ experience financing companies in the Canary Islands at Bankinter. His responsibilities include structuring international operations, financing and advising import and export companies, and developing internationalisation plans.
Moderator
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30
10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Binter Presentation
Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey Hotel (Nivaria Room)
Panelist:
Paloma Torres – Corporate & Leisure Sales Manager
José Luis Castillo – Contracting & MICE Sales Manager
Paloma Torres – Corporate & Leisure Sales Manager
José Luis Castillo – Contracting & MICE Sales Manager
At Binter, we have been connecting destinations for over 36 years. As a Canary Islands-based airline, we operate flights to and from all the archipelago’s airports and connect the islands with an ever-growing network of domestic and international destinations. We are committed to providing a quality service on every flight, offering the #CanarianWay of flying to cities such as Madrid, Valencia and Seville, as well as to 18 airports on the Spanish mainland and in the Balearic Islands.
Panelists
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30
10:30am to 11:30am
Case Study: International Productions in the Canary Islands
Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey Hotel (Nivaria Room)
Panelist:
Sebastián Álvarez, CEO and Producer – Volcano Films
Alejandro Álamo, Producer – Volcano Films
Moderator:
Ricardo Martínez, Director – Tenerife Film Commission
Sebastián Álvarez, CEO and Producer – Volcano Films
Alejandro Álamo, Producer – Volcano Films
Moderator:
Ricardo Martínez, Director – Tenerife Film Commission
Moderated by Ricardo Martínez, director of the Tenerife Film Commission, this session brings together Sebastián Álvarez, CEO and executive producer of Volcano Films, and Alejandro Álamo, producer from the same company, to share their experience with two recent productions that reinforce the Canary Islands’ position as one of the most attractive and competitive filming locations in the world. Through the cases of the series La Palma (Netflix), a Norwegian production shot with tax incentives in Tenerife and La Palma, and the feature film The Hive, a Spanish-German co-production filmed in Tenerife with Augenschein Filmproduktion, the speakers will show how the islands combine tax advantages, local talent, and a variety of locations to attract and develop high-profile international projects. The session highlights the maturity of the Canarian audiovisual sector, the professionalization of its teams, and the key role of veteran production companies like Volcano Films in consolidating the Canary Islands as a global film destination.
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Panelists
Sebastián Álvarez
Volcano Films | CEO and Producer
Bio:
Sebastián Álvarez is one of the most prominent figures on the Canary Islands’ audiovisual scene. He was the producer of Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s Esposados, the first Spanish short film to be nominated for an Oscar. In 1994, Álvarez founded Volcano Films, one of Spain’s first service production companies. He has been its CEO and executive producer ever since. Through this work and his career over the years, Álvarez has established a reputation as both an executive producer of audiovisual content and a provider of services for third parties on the international stage. In 2000, his professional interests led him to promote the creation of the Tenerife Film Commission, of which he is a founding member. He also promoted the creation of CLAC (Canary Islands Audiovisual Cluster), a pioneering initiative in the region, and was its founding president. He is also the founding partner of Profilm, the first and only association of Spanish companies providing services to international productions. His most notable producer credits include Caótica Ana by Julio Médem, Exodus: Gods and Kings by Ridley Scott and Evolution by Lucile Hadzihalilovic. The latter was recognised with the Special Jury Prize and Best Photography at the 2015 San Sebastian Film Festival. His other notable producer credits include La Viajante (2019), the debut feature film of Miguel Mejías, and Rendir Los Machos (2020), the debut feature film of David Pantaleón. In 2022, he completed the executive production of Stardust’s feature film Chasing Dust, and in 2023 he shot Lo Carga el Diablo, which premiered in the official section of the most recent Miami Film Festival. His latest projects include La Palma, an audiovisual project by the Norwegian production company Fantefilm shot under the Volcano Films umbrella, and the action thriller The Hive, filmed in Tenerife this summer and executive produced by Sebastián Álvarez (Volcano Films), Maximilian Leo, and Jonas Katzenstein (Augenschein Filmproduktion).
Sebastián Álvarez is one of the most prominent figures on the Canary Islands’ audiovisual scene. He was the producer of Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s Esposados, the first Spanish short film to be nominated for an Oscar. In 1994, Álvarez founded Volcano Films, one of Spain’s first service production companies. He has been its CEO and executive producer ever since. Through this work and his career over the years, Álvarez has established a reputation as both an executive producer of audiovisual content and a provider of services for third parties on the international stage. In 2000, his professional interests led him to promote the creation of the Tenerife Film Commission, of which he is a founding member. He also promoted the creation of CLAC (Canary Islands Audiovisual Cluster), a pioneering initiative in the region, and was its founding president. He is also the founding partner of Profilm, the first and only association of Spanish companies providing services to international productions. His most notable producer credits include Caótica Ana by Julio Médem, Exodus: Gods and Kings by Ridley Scott and Evolution by Lucile Hadzihalilovic. The latter was recognised with the Special Jury Prize and Best Photography at the 2015 San Sebastian Film Festival. His other notable producer credits include La Viajante (2019), the debut feature film of Miguel Mejías, and Rendir Los Machos (2020), the debut feature film of David Pantaleón. In 2022, he completed the executive production of Stardust’s feature film Chasing Dust, and in 2023 he shot Lo Carga el Diablo, which premiered in the official section of the most recent Miami Film Festival. His latest projects include La Palma, an audiovisual project by the Norwegian production company Fantefilm shot under the Volcano Films umbrella, and the action thriller The Hive, filmed in Tenerife this summer and executive produced by Sebastián Álvarez (Volcano Films), Maximilian Leo, and Jonas Katzenstein (Augenschein Filmproduktion).
Alejandro Álamo
Volcano Films | Producer
Bio:
Alejandro completed his Film, Production and Digital Film Direction studies in 2014. Shortly afterwards, he joined Volcano Films, a production company based in the Canary Islands in Spain. Over the last 12 years, he has worked on a variety of projects of different sizes and types. We specialise in optimising tax incentives for projects filmed in Spain while providing a high-quality production service. Our latest productions include the Netflix series The Helicopter Heist (directed by Daniel Espinosa) and La Palma (directed by Kasper Barfoed), the feature film The Assessment (directed by Fleur Fortuné), and the most recent Spanish-German co-production The Hive (directed by Martín Rosete), which was shot in Tenerife a few months ago.
Alejandro completed his Film, Production and Digital Film Direction studies in 2014. Shortly afterwards, he joined Volcano Films, a production company based in the Canary Islands in Spain. Over the last 12 years, he has worked on a variety of projects of different sizes and types. We specialise in optimising tax incentives for projects filmed in Spain while providing a high-quality production service. Our latest productions include the Netflix series The Helicopter Heist (directed by Daniel Espinosa) and La Palma (directed by Kasper Barfoed), the feature film The Assessment (directed by Fleur Fortuné), and the most recent Spanish-German co-production The Hive (directed by Martín Rosete), which was shot in Tenerife a few months ago.
Moderator
Ricardo Martinez
Tenerife Film Commission | Director
Company Profile:
Tenerife Film Commission is a department of Tenerife Tourism Corporation, a public entity under the Island Council that promotes audiovisual production on the Island. It provides information on the 50-45% tax incentives in the Canary Islands, facilitates film scouting, advises on filming permits and fosters contact with local production companies and production services companies.
Tenerife Film Commission is a department of Tenerife Tourism Corporation, a public entity under the Island Council that promotes audiovisual production on the Island. It provides information on the 50-45% tax incentives in the Canary Islands, facilitates film scouting, advises on filming permits and fosters contact with local production companies and production services companies.
Bio:
He holds degrees in Economics and Regional Economics, both from the University of La Laguna. He has worked for Tenerife City Council and as manager of the Professional Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses of Villa de la Orotava (Apymevo). He joined the Tenerife Film Commission as Director in 2007.
He holds degrees in Economics and Regional Economics, both from the University of La Laguna. He has worked for Tenerife City Council and as manager of the Professional Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses of Villa de la Orotava (Apymevo). He joined the Tenerife Film Commission as Director in 2007.