[EXCLUSIVE] In Conversation with Silvina Cornillón: Leading the Future of Ibero-American Animation

What is the importance of the Quirino Awards?

The Quirino Awards were born to develop the animation industry and to promote the talent it has to offer. In a way, they were created to recognize Ibero-American talent, and over the years they became something much bigger, not only recognizing talent but also boosting it. They now also address topics like innovation, public policy, advocating for the dissemination and circulation of works, and building networks. So, in that sense, it’s a kind of 360-degree platform.

Over the years, the event has hosted a congress, roundtables, a co-production forum, and the awards ceremony. What is the limit?

The day there’s a limit for the Quirino Awards, they cease to exist. We believe that an event with such ambitious goals, and that is so committed to the cause of strengthening Ibero-American animation, cannot set a ceiling for itself. It also can’t be seen as a fixed event with no evolution or transition, because the sector itself is also constantly moving. What’s important is having the reflexes to respond to those needs and understand where things are heading. The Futures Lab is a great example of that.

In recent years, we’ve seen Ibero-American titles co-produced with China, France, Italy, Pakistan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and more. How is it possible that the region adapts so well with such different allies?

I think there’s a point where there’s a strong capacity for adaptability that makes these partnerships work. I think many of our countries are already a big mix, and that allows for other kinds of alliances to happen. Also, I think there’s a constant search, present in animation and in those who produce it, for new opportunities. So there’s this hunger to find the resources and the means, and I think that translates into this adaptability.

Why should the world watch Ibero-American animation?

Because Ibero-American animation has grown a lot. I think today it’s producing very high-quality works, and also telling stories that reflect Ibero-American identity. That’s something very special: on one hand, it offers local audiences content made in the region, and on the other hand, for the rest of the world that is looking for something different, discovering these Ibero-American stories could make a real difference.