Madrid Audiovisual Cluster Showcases Cutting-Edge Innovation and AI at Iberseries & Platino Industria

The Madrid Audiovisual Cluster (MAC), an influential economic interest group comprising nearly 100 Madrid-based companies, has curated an ambitious two-day industry networking and peer-learning program for the upcoming Iberseries & Platino confab. Scheduled to run from September 29 to October 2 in the vibrant Spanish capital, the initiative highlights how modern technology is fundamentally reshaping the entertainment landscape.

While artificial intelligence inevitably takes center stage during the conference, this year’s program deliberately ventures deeper into the hot-button topic. Rather than merely skimming the surface of emerging software trends, the showcase presents eight comprehensive industry case studies that closely examine innovation across every link of the audiovisual value chain.

Teresa Azcona, managing director of the Madrid Audiovisual Cluster, emphasized that while artificial intelligence serves as a consistent thread connecting several of the featured projects, the overarching scope of the workshop is significantly broader. According to Azcona, the sessions capture a panoramic view of modern innovation, encompassing novel business models, advanced emerging technologies, and rapidly evolving production and creative workflows. Together, these pioneering projects demonstrate how innovation is actively transforming the global entertainment industry and unlocking unprecedented opportunities across the entire value chain.

At the same time, industry leaders are careful to maintain a balanced perspective regarding the adoption of disruptive technologies. Echoing this sentiment, Iberseries & Platino Industria co-Director Samuel Castro pointed out that the foundational ability to conceive and write compelling stories must always originate from a fully human, author-driven concept and development process. For Castro and many of his peers, artificial intelligence should strictly serve as a powerful tool rather than an end in itself.

Framed under the official banner "Innovation — Case Studies in the Audiovisual Industry: New Business Models, AI and Emerging Technologies," the curated slate of eight case studies illustrates how forward-thinking companies are applying advanced technology to solve practical, day-to-day challenges across the media sector. The specialized workshop is slated to run from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. on September 29, dedicating approximately 12 minutes to each individual case study presentation to ensure a fast-paced, highly informative exchange of ideas.

The momentum continues into the following day on September 30, which features a high-profile conversation between acclaimed producer Rosa Bosch and Tanja Meissner, Director of Berlinale Pro. Meissner oversees several major international industry platforms, including the European Film Market, the Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents, and the World Cinema Fund, making the dialogue a vital touchpoint for global co-production and festival strategies.

The core of the MAC’s presentation centers on its eight diverse case studies, each spotlighting a different facet of technological and creative adaptation within the contemporary media ecosystem.

The first case study focuses on PLIA, an AI-powered production platform specifically engineered for film and audiovisual projects. The company has developed an integrated production-management solution designed to consolidate the vast amounts of information generated throughout the creative and production process into a single, cohesive platform. PLIA will present its real-world application on the feature film "Playback," detailing how the software handles script breakdown, pre-production planning, and production tracking. By bringing together scripts, production notes, budgets, location photography, and detailed breakdowns, the platform aims to streamline information management across complex production workflows. The presentation will be led by Jose Velasco, CEO of PLIA.

The second presentation shifts attention to TBS (Telefónica Broadcast Services), which recently rebranded as Tech Brand Stories. Operating as the Telefónica Group’s specialized creative production company and audiovisual agency, TBS handles live production, broadcast services, branded content, and large-scale entertainment. Backed by a team of more than 450 professionals, the agency routinely manages major sporting events, live broadcasts, non-fiction television, entertainment formats, documentaries, and current-affairs programming. Their case study will examine the seamless convergence of virtual production, augmented reality, motion graphics, and artificial intelligence, illustrating how these tools are being woven into contemporary production environments. The session will be presented by Graphics Supervisor Alberto Gonzalo and Technical Coordinator Luis Miguel Boedo.

The third presentation tackles the increasingly vital realm of global content distribution through Hark Media and its "Go Global" initiative. Specializing in localization for the entertainment industry, Go Global provides comprehensive translation, subtitling, dubbing, and voice-over services to major streaming platforms and production companies. The company will explore the emerging role of artificial intelligence in dubbing, examining how hybrid workflows that carefully combine advanced technology with human expertise can effectively support the localization of content for diverse international markets. The presentation will be delivered by Paula Ferrari, founder and CEO of Go Global.

Moving into post-production, the fourth case study highlights Xpost Studios, a facility operating under the Secuoya Content Group from its base at Madrid Content City. As a premier post-production and visual effects center, Xpost Studios maintains advanced infrastructure dedicated to editing, color grading, sound post-production, visual effects, and digital workflows. Their session will focus on the practical application of cutting-edge technologies within VFX and post-production pipelines, demonstrating how ongoing technological innovation is altering the speed and quality with which contemporary content is processed and delivered to audiences. The presentation will be led by Post-Production Manager Marcos Requena.

The fifth presentation introduces Story Pitcher, a digital platform created to bridge the traditional gap between audiovisual creators and industry producers. The platform connects screenwriters, directors, and independent creators directly with production companies and content distribution platforms. By combining AI-powered matching algorithms with robust legal-protection tools, Story Pitcher seeks to facilitate more direct, secure connections between creative talent and key industry decision-makers. The case study will be presented by Frank Belyeu, CEO of Story Pitcher.

The sixth session turns to the vital human element of the industry with creative strategist and talent manager Mercedes Santalla. Operating at the intersection of creative practice and technology, Santalla works closely with specialized projects and emerging talent. Her presentation will examine the complex commercial and strategic considerations required to successfully shepherd creative and technology-led projects from early development through to the open market. Furthermore, she will analyze the evolving, dynamic relationship between artistic talent, emerging technology, and modern business structures.

The seventh case study explores the logistics of physical production through Scoutters, a digital location-search and management platform developed by the Spanish company Scout & Film. Drawing upon the founders’ extensive experience managing physical locations for film and advertising productions, the platform directly connects location scouts, advertising agencies, production companies, and regional film commissions with optimal shooting locations that match specific script requirements. The presentation will illustrate how modern digital tools are fundamentally modernizing the traditionally location-heavy process of sourcing, managing, and presenting filming locations. The session will be led by Scout & Film co-founders Rubén Souto and Jose Díaz.

The final presentation features HaMo, a real-time animation system developed by Paramotion Films through the Next Lab Generation R&D initiative. HaMo is an advanced real-time motion-capture system designed specifically for 3D animation and digital puppetry. Utilizing inertial sensors to track an operator’s physical movements, the system leverages Unreal Engine to instantly transfer those movements to a CGI character in real time. This capability allows virtual characters to perform live alongside human presenters and physical audiences, opening up significant potential applications across traditional studios, live events, and social media platforms. The case study will explore the journey of developing the system from a prototype into a viable production technology, presented by HaMo CEO Jose Luis Farias and CTO Alfonso Fulgencio.