Building on the success of last year’s inaugural honoree, South Korea, Spain becomes the second Country of Honour at BANFF, a program that celebrates the unique creative output and business leadership of a featured nation every year.
The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) is proud to announce Spain as the official Country of Honour for the 2026 festival, recognizing the country’s growing global influence as a hub for premium content production, international co-production, and creative innovation. The 47th annual Banff World Media Festival will take place June 14–17, 2026, at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
As Country of Honour at BANFF 2026, Spain will be showcased throughout the festival with dedicated programming, high-profile networking opportunities, and curated events celebrating the country’s dynamic content ecosystem across scripted, unscripted, film, and digital-first content. A special recognition will also take place at the Festival’s Rockie Awards which will honour global content, outstanding talent and industry leaders on the evening of Tuesday June 16th. A distinguished Spanish delegation of leading producers, creators, executives, and talent is expected to attend, fostering international collaboration and new global partnerships.
Following a standout year marked by the global success of hits like Berlin, The Asunta Case, Valeria, Entre Tierras and Sueños de libertad as well as the recent La mesías, which was named Best Non-English Language Drama Series at BANFF’s Rockie Awards in 2024, Spain’s selection as this year’s Country of Honor highlights its status as one of the world’s most active and attractive production markets. It is supported by incredible locations, a strong creative community, robust public and private investment, competitive tax incentives, and a growing footprint in international co-productions with Europe, Latin America, North America, and beyond.
“Spain’s rise has been one of the most consequential shifts in the global content landscape. From breakout franchises to award-winning prestige drama, Spanish producers are setting the pace for international co-production and premium storytelling,” said Jenn Kuzmyk, BANFF’s Executive Director. “As our 2026 Country of Honour, Spain brings both creative firepower and serious deal-making momentum, and we look forward to welcoming the delegation to Canada in June.”
“It is a true honour for Spain to be named Country of Honour at BANFF. This recognition highlights the strength and ambition of our audiovisual industry, and we look forward to deepening and expanding the collaboration between Spain and Canada in the years ahead,” said Luis Mayoral, Creative Industries Director at ICEX.
The upcoming edition of the BANFF World Media Festival, one of the most relevant global gatherings for TV and entertainment executives, offers an exceptional opportunity to highlight the strength and momentum of the Spanish audiovisual industry. Spain is experiencing a remarkable stage of growth in the creation, production, and international circulation of content, consolidating its position as one of the leading and most dynamic audiovisual ecosystems in Europe.
Spain currently ranks fourth in film and TV series production in Europe and leads the European Union in investment by streaming platforms in original European content.
Spanish content on international platforms reached €1.292 billion in 2024 (Third Annual Report of the Audiovisual Sector in Spain 2025).
Nine out of ten of the most-watched series in Europe are Spanish.
Spanish productions have increased their audience share in Europe to 9%, according to the European Commission’s European Media Industry Outlook report.
Spain being selected as Country of Honour at BANFF underscores not only the relevance of the Spanish audiovisual industry for global markets but also the significant collective effort underway to promote Spanish talent, creativity, and production capabilities worldwide. This recognition will further elevate the international profile of Audiovisual from Spain and, more importantly, expand business opportunities for Spanish companies seeking to grow their presence and strengthen partnerships for production and distribution in Canada and across North America.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Canadian Rockies, the Banff World Media Festival and Rockie Awards is a premier gatherings for the world’s most creative and influential media professionals, offering more than 1,200 networking sessions and 25,000+ meetings that connect creators, producers, studios, streamers, brands, and decision-makers from around the globe. BANFF 2026 will once again serve as a key destination for deal-making, thought leadership, and forward-looking conversations shaping the future of the industry.
