In an industry that has yet to find solid ground, the way to navigate its present lies in partnership, and events like LA Screenings Independents 2025 provide a good setting on which to build the foundations of that teamwork.

By Luis Cabrera, from Los Angeles

The 2025 edition of LA Screenings Independents came to a close today at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the event’s new location, which met its goal of improving upon the 2024 edition by listening to attendees’ feedback.

While the hotel wasn’t the most functional—with specific issues such as the one with the elevators—it is a much more affordable option, and its location generated more activity in the lobby and at the meeting tables.

Overall, the companies in attendance were satisfied with the pace of meetings they maintained, although the current industry situation is not ideal for streamlining business. What an opportunity like this market does allow is to reconnect with partners and clients in person, something that remains invaluable even in times of so much virtuality.

THE PRODUCTION PUZZLE

The way to face the current industry situation is through partnerships, a resource that was fully recognized this week after the announcement of the partnership between Globo and Telemundo. “We’ve signed a new agreement with Telemundo, one of the several co-production agreements we’ve reached with them,” Pablo Ghiglione, Head of International Sales at Globo, began in a conversation with ttvnews. “Today we’re also announcing the second film from our co-production agreement with Disney.”

For Kapow, meanwhile, the goal has always been to construct that puzzle that will facilitate the development of the large number of projects it has in development: “We’re at LA Screenings with the goal of strengthening ties and negotiating potential new partnerships for Kapow and América Estudios in Peru,” commented Agustina Amiel, Head of International Alliances for Kapow and América Estudios. From one of their alliances, in this case with Dori Media Group, comes the recently announced format The Auction.

Television networks in the region are seeking these partnerships as a way to offer their own local productions, providing valuable content for their audiences in each country. This is the case with Latina TV in Peru, which is looking to expand its studios to focus more on local productions.

Something similar is happening in Chile, arguably the most competitive television market in Latin America, where Channel 13 leads prime time thanks to its commitment to relevant and exciting content: “We wanted to get back on the path of being the reality channel, with top-level content, high production standards, and highly relevant stories. Our reality shows seek to tell stories that people follow,” explained Cristian Ciudad Cueto, the Chilean channel’s open TV manager.

PREMIUM CONTENT SEEKS A HOME

Among so many TV networks opting to produce theRecord TV ir own content, third-party fiction programs are fiercely fighting for the remaining space on the schedule. Content of enormous quality and proven success, such as that of the Spanish company Atresmedia, is able to find its place. One example is Mariliendre, defined by Miguel García, International Sales Director for the Spanish company, as “the biggest fan phenomenon of recent months in Spain.”

continues to produce biblical telenovelas, now shorter in length to meet market demands and distributed by Seriella Producciones, bringing its greatest hits, both in fiction and non-fiction.

TV Azteca is enjoying the great launch of Cautiva por amor, with its broadcast both on Azteca and on Disney+: “It’s premiering this Monday, and the idea is to reach and amplify our audiences, so they know that the content lives on broadcast TV, on a platform, on social media, and that we have summaries on the website and the app. It’s multiplying the audience we reach. We’re very happy and expect great results,” said Jesica Stescobich, Director of Distribution and Strategic Alliances at TV Azteca Internacional.

There’s also room for independent content distributors like Encripta, which have brought to market titles like Fog of War, a war drama centered on fighter pilots, and Mr. K, a blend of thriller and comedy.

Turkish content, of course, continues to triumph in Latin America. Inter Medya announced today that Corazón Negro, a TIMS&B production, has been acquired by Mega of Chile.

RESPECT FOR THE HUMAN VOICE

The advancement of artificial intelligence across all industries is no exception to TV, particularly localization companies, which must adapt their technology to meet customer needs. The key is knowing how and when to use AI.

“It depends on the content. Where will it be viewed? On a phone while someone cooks or on an 85-inch screen with surround sound? That makes a big difference,” explained Josh Pine, CFO of The Kitchen. “For low-budget content, it’s a good alternative. It’s a way to monetize content in countries where it wasn’t previously profitable. You can test it, and if it works, invest more to improve it.”

Film Dub, meanwhile, doesn’t use AI unless specifically requested by the client, and they often even use talented voice talent to dub content originally created by AI, especially with the rise of vertical content, one of the company’s main focuses today: “We had to adapt to a new reality and amount of content. Adapt to the new workflow,” said Cristina Littin Menz, CEO of Film Dub.

The Macías Group has a similar commitment to the talent of its voice actors, which is enjoying an excellent current trend with the dubbing of Asian animations: “We’ve dubbed 150 episodes in English of a very important anime series for TV Tokyo,” said Mar Enriquez, Executive Vice President of The Macias Group, about their most recent agreement in the anime genre, where they have extensive experience.

TIME FOR THE MAJORS

This Saturday, the majors’ activities will begin, with Paramount breaking the ice in the morning, followed by a special Disney presentation with the screening of the new version of Lilo & Stitch.

Activities will return to the Roosevelt Hotel in the evening, as the Telefilms Group will hold its traditional upfront to present its extensive catalog of content, which includes some of the major Hollywood films, as well as its own productions.