The third edition of the IsLABentura Canarias laboratory has already chosen the stories linked to the islands that it will turn into scripts for film and television in 2024. This is an initiative of the Government of the Canary Islands, through the Canary Institute of Cultural Development in collaboration with PROEXCA Sociedad Canaria de Fomento Económico and the seven island councils.
Set in La Graciosa, is the feature film 'Tras la vela', by Atteneri María González, which deals with the crisis of faith of a priest and the conflict that his homosexuality implies. According to the jury "it does so in a rather original way: turning it into the starting point of a supernatural horror drama and that promises to be a very special project".
The story chosen for Lanzarote is 'Astro!' conceived by Margarita Ana Dorao for a television series. A comedy that talks about "beings for whom this planet has become too small."
Both projects will take shape in the coming weeks thanks to the advice of a tutorial team made up of prestigious screenwriters, who have also participated in the selection of these stories. They are Diana Rojo, Joaquín Oristrell, Yolanda García Serrano, Pepe Coira, David Muñoz, Marta Buchaca and Isa Sánchez.
The resolution of the call is available on the website of the Canary Institute of Cultural Development, dependent on the Government of the Canary Islands: www.icdcultural.org.
Stories selected on the other islands
Linked to the island of Gran Canaria is 'Tierra', a story for a feature film by Arima León that talks about exploitation, but also and, above all, about the struggle of women for their rights. Also included here is 'Lluvia de estrellas', a proposal for a TV series by Rebeca Serrada, a fantasy in a comedy tone, "an original look at the Spanish jet set that delves with grace and acidity into its decadence."
In Tenerife is located 'Tourist go home', by Hugo Menéndez, a story for a series that deals with "a problem as pressing and widespread as housing", says the jury, which also highlights "the originality of the proposed plot elements and its critical tone full of humor." The second story, also for a series, is 'Aquí cabemos todos', by Gonzalo Lugo Godoy, which "plays on the edge, a provocative exercise, a zombie story, a black humor story", the jury points out.
For La Palma two feature films are proposed. 'La Cathedrale', by Eduardo Cubillo, a murder case that, according to the jury, "catches you from the beginning and, without a doubt, can be a great movie." It is joined by 'Contra las llamas', by Héctor Beltrán, which deals with arson, but also with precariousness and the difficulty of surviving in today's society.
From El Hierro is 'Morfología de la oscuridad', by Bryan Aguirre, which, in the words of the jury, "is one of the most original feature film script projects I have read in a long time." Also included here is the series proposal 'La (última) guerra de las pulgas', by Jorge Begega, "A very genuine comedy in a low tone that talks about something as relevant as friendship."
From Fuerteventura is the feature film 'Una Lady victoriana en Tindaya', by Esther Fernández, with a story from 1884 inspired by the British writer Olivia Stone during one of her trips to the islands; in addition to the series proposal 'Dinamita', by Daute Matías Campos, which "invites you to enter a universe with great narrative potential, full of borders to cross."
For La Gomera there are two series. One of them, 'El Ovni', by Alejandro Artiles, tells the 24 hours of a town in the middle of its patron saint festivities and its reactions to the arrival of a UFO; and 'Por la banda', by Alejandro González, selected "for treating bias in sport from a fresh and relaxed perspective, giving voice to minoritized groups through diverse characters."
