Spain’s Conecta Fiction opens pitching submissions & links with Council of Europe for $54,000 co-pro prize

Conecta Fiction

Spain’s Conecta Fiction & Entertainment has opened submissions for its international pitching sessions and unveiled a €50,000 ($54,000) prize available for its series co-production award.

Conecta Fiction, which takes place in Toledo from 18-21 June, is into its eight edition and aims to drive co-production of series between Europe and America, with Brazil and Portugal named as ‘focus countries’ for the 2024 edition.

Submissions for pitching sessions are open until early April, with more than 300 projects from 30 countries put forward last year for the five international categories.

The international project categories are:

• Pitch Copro Series – international co-production projects for TV series or mini-series
• Pitch High-end Series – high-budget projects “with strong audience potential and elements that make them highly appealing”
• Pitch music series – Fiction series or mini-series projects, in which music plays a fundamental role
• Pitch Docudrama Series – Documentary series with fictionalised elements
• Pitch Feelgood Formats – “Uplifting television format projects aiming to bring a smile to the viewers”

Organisers have also partnered with regional funding body Council of Europe, which houses Eurimages, to offer a €50,000 prize for the winner of the latter’s Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions.

The Series Co-production Development Award is intended “to foster creative collaborations in series co-production and empower independent producers.” It offers a non-repayable grant to cover expenses during the project development phase.

Géraldine Gonard, director of Conecta Fiction & Entertainment, said: “We’re not just hosting an event – we’re creating a space for all creators to be part of something special.

“What defines us is our effectiveness. In seven years, over 15 finalist series have come to life, [been] produced or are about to hit the screens. Collaborating with the Council of Europe, home of Eurimages, for this significant award fills us with pride.”