The second Shooting Locations Marketplace, an event for the audiovisual industry open to the participation of national and international production companies, location scouts and shooting destinations, will be held on October 20 and 21. Organised by Feria de Valladolid and the Spain Film Commission, its aims are to provide a business platform for professionals in this sector and contribute to the development and consolidation of a sector with excellent development prospects.
“The defining characteristic that differentiates Shooting Locations Marketplace from other events is the prominence given to location scouts. The work programme is built around these professionals. For two days, destinations have the opportunity to present their proposals for hosting shoots,” explained Alberto Alonso, the managing director of Feria de Valladolid.
“The first event had a really positive outcome and showed us the way forward: towards greater internationalisation in terms of both the offer of destinations and the participation of location managers and scouts, production companies and service companies,” Alonso added.
Sixty destinations are expected, including the members of the Spain Film Commission (Madrid, Andalusia, Vigo, Valencia, the Canary Islands, etc.); countries such as Portugal and Norway, which will attend for the first time; and companies such as the hotel chain THB and Seven Islands from the Canary Islands.
As for the participation of location managers and scouts, more than 60 professionals from seven countries have already confirmed that they will be in Valladolid. Spain accounts for 32%, the United Kingdom for 24% and the United States for 30%. The rest come from Germany, Malta, Canada and Portugal.
The list of international attendees includes names such as Dan Connolly, Bill Doyle, Georgette Turner, Julie Hannum, Markus Bensch, Angus Ledgerwood, Peter Gray, Scott Trimble, Chris Baugh, Leann Emmert and Bill Darby, the people responsible for films and series such as Citadel, Enola Holmes, Wonder Woman 84, The Suicide Squad, Captain Marvel, Top Gun: Maverik, The Romanovs and John Wick 3: Parabellum.
American Lori Balton, summed up the first event as “a resounding success, a twofold risk —because of its innovative format and Covid concerns— that paid off. We reconnected with colleagues, shared quality time with the destinations and ended with an incomparable trip to the Canary Islands, an absolute must for any filmmaker.”
Carlos Rosado, the president of the Spain Film Commission, said that “the first event proved to be a useful tool for production companies and the network of film commissions and film offices. It made it possible to establish alliances and even more importantly: to close deals and launch new audiovisual projects in Spain. This year will undoubtedly consolidate the event as a meeting point for the sector and as an international reference point to present ourselves to the world as the most competitive and attractive European audiovisual hub. Shooting Locations Marketplace is an absolute must that no-one should miss. Valladolid will be the focal point of the audiovisual business in Spain in October.”
Luis Cueto, Advisor to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, also attended the presentation of Shooting Locations Marketplace. Cueto referred to the “awareness that the government has towards this strategic industry”, by implementing actions that help in the development of filming, involving departments such as Customs, AENA, Paradores, etc.
Film Madrid, which will be back at Shooting Locations Marketplace in October, highlighted that “the quality of the contacts made is work that has continued over time and will undoubtedly enable us to grow,” said Rafael Cabrera.
The backbone of Shooting Locations Marketplace is the schedule of interviews, arranged beforehand on the basis of common interests. Last year there more than 700 appointments. In addition, there is a programme of talks to analyse industry trends, success stories, factors that tip the balance when picking one destination over another, etc.
Silvia Martínez, the manager of Shooting Locations Marketplace, highlighted another differentiating aspect of the event: trips to shooting destinations so location managers and scouts and production companies can get to see for themselves the offer presented by the different Film Commissions. “We are working on the design of this programme, which last year allowed us to show scenery from Castilla y Leon, the Canary Islands and the Valencian Community.”
Industry collaboration
Shooting Locations Marketplace has renewed collaboration agreements with various professional organisations and associations in the sector “because we see this event as a place to exchange knowledge and analysis and generate business. This is a vision we share with the following institutions, professional associations and media outlets.”
- EUFCN
- Profilm
- LGMI
- Ayuntamiento de Valladolid
- Junta de Castilla y León
- Diputación de Valladolid
- Cámara de Comercio e Industria de Valladolid
- Audiovisual 451
- Cine y Tele
- Cineuropa
- Latam Cinema
- Asociación de Periodistas Iberoamericanos de Cine