The Canary Islands is the focal point this weekend for the realms of animation, visual effects (VFX), video games, and digital technology. The International Congress Digital Worlds, a leading event in the animation sector, commenced yesterday at the Adam Martín Auditorium in Tenerife.
This marks the inaugural winter edition of Digital Worlds, one of the premier gatherings for the digital industry in Spain and Europe since its inception in 2002. The event, which traditionally only took place in summer in Madrid and Coruña, enhances the Canary Islands’ status as a strategic hub for the audiovisual and tech industry. It is organised by the Canarian Special Zone (ZEC) and Proexca – Canary Islands, with support from the Cabildo de Tenerife.
Currently, the islands host approximately 24 companies established by international animation studios, of which 50% of professionals are Canarian. In the case of smaller studios, this figure rises to 80%.
3% of GDP
The audiovisual sector is one of the most rapidly expanding industries in the islands over the past year. Proexca has reported an investment of 224 million euros in 2022 and the creation of 15,300 jobs. It now contributes roughly 3% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the Canary Islands.
“We must be capable of nurturing the industry with the finest professionals to ensure continuity”
Lope Afonso
– Vice President of the Cabildo de Tenerife
“The focus is not solely on economic diversification but also on high-value employment,” asserts Alfonso Cabello, the president and delegate of Proexca. The strategic and geographical uniqueness of the Canarian archipelago “is a significant advantage” for a sector that has established itself in the islands due to “excellent connectivity, a robust academic framework, and a rich cultural mix.” The inaugural celebration of Digital Worlds on the islands helps “to showcase projects, enhance competitiveness, and draw attention to the islands as a hub,” Cabello explains.
A Dream Territory
This sentiment was echoed by Gustavo González, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Internationalisation of the Canary Islands Government and Vice President of Proexca, during the event’s presentation. He characterised the islands as “a dream territory” and invited attendees—individuals of all ages, including several foreigners from Canadian, American, and British backgrounds—to pursue “their creative aspirations.”
“The Canary Islands is a territory to dream, and in that creative pursuit, they will receive institutional support”
G. González
– Vice Minister of Government Economics
González highlighted the fiscal incentives available in the archipelago for the audiovisual sector, which “continue to expand.” Notably, producers with their tax residence on the islands and responsible for executing foreign productions can benefit from deductions ranging from 50% to 45%.
Moreover, technological innovation enjoys a 45% deduction as opposed to 15%. “This allows us to keep creating and generating digital activities from the islands,” González mentioned.
Training is Crucial
The Canarian Special Zone (ZEC), a public entity designed to foster economic and social development within the islands, has played a vital role. Its president, Pablo Hernández, remarks that “the secret” to the sector’s growth lies in “the Canarian framework of companies and, above all, the talent contained within them.” In particular, he emphasised the contributions of training institutions such as CIFP Felo Monzón in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, CIFP César Manrique in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and IES La Guancha in the northern part of Tenerife.
“The secret lies in the entire Canarian framework, in companies, but above all, in the talent available”
Pablo Hernández
– President of the Canarian Special Zone
These educational facilities provide a dual training system that Hernández expresses pride in, as it offers young individuals the chance to engage with sector companies and “grow together”—both as students and as professionals. This “joint fertilisation” exemplifies the duality that will “expand further” with support from the autonomous institutions.
International Collaboration
Hernández noted the significant international presence at the Adam Martín Auditorium’s Chamber Room, appreciating the attendance from various foreign representatives. Similarly, Lope Afonso, Vice President of the Cabildo de Tenerife and an advisor on tourism, underscored the educational quality provided by Tenerife’s professional centres. “We need to nurture the audiovisual industry with skilled professionals to ensure the sector’s continuity,” he stated. In this light, the students from Tenerife “are prepared to take on the world.”
“This gathering aids in showcasing our projects and redirects attention towards the islands as an investment opportunity.”
Alfonso Cabello
– President of Proexca
The Canary Islands are currently in the winter season and, according to Afonso, the hosting of this Congress on the island represents a chance to serve as a showcase for other significant events. The tourism minister highlighted that the event had sold out, mentioning approximately 500 attendees over these two days, resulting in “direct expenditure on accommodation and consumption.”
Ideal Climate
Afonso described Tenerife as “the ideal location” for hosting “internationally significant events,” as well as for “digital creation” like Digital Worlds. Lastly, he reminded attendees that, in addition to the tax incentives provided by the archipelago, one of the main attractions for international visitors is the weather enjoyed by the islands throughout the year. “While other countries struggle with limited sunny days or cold weather, the islands provide the opposite: warmth and nearly 12 hours of daylight,” he explained.
Proexca Hosts Two Foreign Studios
During the Digital World Congress held in the islands, the Canarian Society of Economic Development (Proexca)—a public entity linked to the Presidency of the Canary Islands Government—arranged for visits from two foreign audiovisual studios, one from Oceania and another from the United Kingdom. Throughout these visits, meetings will be encouraged to explore potential business opportunities aimed at facilitating the potential establishment of these international firms in the islands or the collaboration on projects with local enterprises. It is one of the objectives set by the Canarian government, as not only does it aim to secure a presence in the market, but it also seeks to create stable, competitive, and quality employment within the archipelago.
