Canary Islands Institute of Cultural Development and DAMA Partnership

Overview

The Canary Islands Institute of Cultural Development (ICDC) has officially published a cooperation agreement with DAMA, Spain’s leading audiovisual rights management entity. This partnership supports the 2026 edition of IsLABentura, a flagship scriptwriting lab aimed at fostering local talent and promoting Canary Islands’ stories.

Significance

This initiative plays a vital role in strengthening the island’s audiovisual sector, which the Canary Islands’ Parliament declared a strategic industry in 2009. The program offers:

Advanced training to experienced screenwriters
Opportunities to visit the islands
Creation of scripts rooted in local culture, landscapes, and history

Agreement Details

The agreement, signed in March 2026, confirms DAMA’s role in:

Recognizing the best scripts with €2,000 awards
Supporting related activities such as masterclasses and workshops

"..confirms DAMA’s role in recognizing the best scripts with €2,000 awards and supporting related activities like masterclasses and workshops."

It also emphasizes:

Respect for intellectual property rights
Ensuring confidentiality

Funding

Funding for the project comes from:

The regional government's audiovisual development program
DAMA’s own funds

Partnership Framework

The collaboration is framed as a partnership between independent entities, with both committed to:

Disseminating the project’s aims
Sharing its results

Duration and Future Plans

The agreement will last until the end of 2026, with the option to extend for four more years after a review process.

Objectives

By boosting local storytelling and international co-productions, this initiative seeks to:

Elevate the Canary Islands’ cultural footprint
Offer meaningful opportunities for professional growth within its vibrant audiovisual scene.