The second edition of Quirino Lab brings together 15 executive production professionals from Spain, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. The advanced training program is taking place from October 7 to 10 at Lago Martiánez in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
Held over four days under the theme «Leading the Future of Animation,» the lab combines masterclasses, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions designed to advance individual careers, further professionalize the industry, and drive the development of animation production across the region.
Quirino Lab is an initiative organized by Premios Quirino alongside the Island Council of Tenerife (Cabildo de Tenerife) through Turismo de Tenerife and the Tenerife Film Commission. This second edition is held in collaboration with the municipality’s Culture and Audiovisual Department through its Audiovisual Development line, and is supported by Acción Cultural Española (AC/E) via its Program for the Internationalization of Spanish Culture (PICE), along with Magnific.
Lope Afonso, Vice President and Tourism Councilor of the Cabildo de Tenerife, emphasized: «The launch of Quirino Lab confirms Tenerife’s decisive commitment to talent, innovation, and economic diversification. This training program not only drives the professionalization of Ibero-American animation, but also positions the island as a benchmark hub for creative and technological development.»
Afonso added: «We will continue working to consolidate an ecosystem that generates opportunities, attracts investment, and projects Tenerife as a leading territory in the audiovisual sector.»
Dimple Melwani, CEO of Turismo de Tenerife, noted: «Quirino Lab addresses a real industry need: boosting the professionalization of animation executive production while providing a dedicated space to share knowledge, build connections, and strengthen collaboration between professionals across Ibero-America and the island’s robust local audiovisual ecosystem.»
Melwani also highlighted that the Tenerife Film Commission is «proud that the Quirino ecosystem, which has connected Ibero-American animation with Tenerife since 2018, continues to expand through initiatives fostering innovation, internationalization, and industry development—driving employment, economic dynamism, creativity, and talent.»
Puerto de la Cruz Mayor Leopoldo Afonso stated: «Over four days, Puerto de la Cruz hosts working sessions where producers from six countries share experiences and analyze key issues regarding financing, audiences, and animation production tools.»
During the program’s presentation last July, Premios Quirino Director Silvina Cornillón emphasized that «Quirino Lab was born out of the conviction that executive production is key. The sector is transforming rapidly, and Quirino Lab provides the space to take the time to understand those shifts, analyze them, and decide how we want to lead them.»
International Expert Insights
The program brings together international experts including Garry Yankson, Nic Cabana, Diego Rosner, Lucas Arechaga, Uttariyo Saha, Paloma Aragón, and Alby Ojeda to address financing and investment, emerging intellectual property (IP) models, audiences and digital fragmentation, and artificial intelligence applied to production.
Notable speakers include Nic Cabana, co-founder of the transmedia brand Claynosaurz and industry veteran of productions such as Game of Thrones and Jurassic World; Diego Rosner, Director at Nexus Studios US; and Uttariyo Saha, Creative AI Consultant at Magnific.
New to this edition, each session opens with a provocative question—such as «Why are we so hesitant to bet on expanded IP?» or «Why does it take us so long to integrate emerging technologies into our companies?»—rather than a traditional closed lecture, encouraging experts and attendees to debate the answers collectively throughout the day.
The discussions driving the lab have already established key industry perspectives:
- Nic Cabana highlighted that «audiences are cultivated, not acquired» and that «fandom is the infrastructure» of the modern IP economy.
- Diego Rosner pointed to a deeper structural shift, noting that innovation «is not only altering how we execute creative work, but also expanding the boundaries of what creative work can become.»
- Uttariyo Saha grounded the generative AI debate, stating: «The model is the least interesting part. The budget lies in the cost of an iteration, not the cost of a frame.»
- Alby Ojeda, who coordinates the hackathon, put it directly: «In 2026, the question is no longer whether AI will enter the audiovisual industry, but how.»
- Garry Yankson framed the underlying strategic question: «How do we scale and innovate without sacrificing artistic identity, creative control, or long-term value?»
The cohort features experienced producers across animation series, features, and short films. Studios represented include Red Animation, Crazy Meerkat, Surfing Giant, Tomavision Studio, Oceanika Estudios, and Studio Kimchi (Spain); Espacial Filmes, Rapadura Atômica, Split Studio, and Pinguim Content (Brazil); Tunche Films (Peru); 80 Mundos, Damita Joe, and Ginevra Films (Argentina, Spain, and Italy); and iKartoons Animation (Colombia and the United States).
Artificial Intelligence Hackathon
This second edition also features the lab’s first hackathon dedicated to designing AI assistants and agents for executive production, led by Skip Intro Lab Director Alby Ojeda. The intensive, hands-on workshop challenges teams to develop production-ready AI tools through model selection, implementation, and practical development. The event also hosts two open panel discussions exploring the animation industry over the next decade and assessing AI as an opportunity versus a threat.
Premios Quirino Shorts Screenings for Local Schools
Puerto de la Cruz also served as a community hub for local students and the public, showcasing curated Ibero-American animation screenings organized by Premios Quirino. Screenings included a morning session for secondary schools on Tuesday, October 6, and a public screening on Thursday, October 8, featuring celebrated titles such as Juan Pablo Zaramella’s Luminaris (Argentina) and James A. Castillo’s The Ghost of the Quinta (El Fantasma de la Quinta, Spain).
Animation Industry Growth in Tenerife
With this second edition, Tenerife solidifies its strategic push to expand its local animation industry. In 2024, animation generated €19 million on the island, accounting for 32% of Tenerife’s total audiovisual sector output. The island has served as the official home of the Ibero-American Animation Quirino Awards since its inaugural edition in 2018.
