Ten projects based on AI, 3D printing and mobile apps to compete in the Zinemaldia Startup Challenge of the San Sebastian Festival

Ten technology projects, five Spanish and five European, will compete in the Zinemaldia Startup Challenge, the competition for recently created startups and entrepreneurial teams with technology developments applicable to the audiovisual sector. 

The Zinemaldia Startup Challenge is the central initiative of Zinemaldia & Technology, to run on Thursday, 25 September. The event will include presentation of the ten selected projects and a round table on the ethical implications of new technologies, with a discussion on how they could be more inclusive, diverse and ethical.

Out of the five finalists of the Spanish competition, three apply AI to their developments: Bubbo offers personalised recommendations for content streaming on platforms; Crowdy is an ecosystem with tools for managing audiovisual projects and attracting talent at any stage of production; and IT'S ON is a streaming platform for remote on-set monitoring. Completing the selection are the mobile apps Kultura Hub, which connects and highlights the audiovisual content of European cultural stakeholders, with particular focus on minority languages; while Quickets offers the last-minute sale of cinema tickets with an instant discount drawing on dynamic pricing techniques.

Four of the European projects are also AI-based: All-VP (UK) is a digital LED wall which, depending on the size and appearance of the performer, recalculates the lighting, shadows and reflections in a viral environment; Mimik (Sweden) generates real-life 3D avatars from mobile phone scans; Signapse (UK) delivers photo-realistic sign language interpreters to enhance the audiovisual accessibility of deaf people; and Tape It (Germany) digitally removes background noise to achieve a proper studio sound. Finally, Novel Fire Masks Engineered with 3D Technology (UK) creates silicone fire masks using additive manufacturing and 3D printing techniques combined with a hyper-realistic finish.

Two independent juries will decide the winners of the 10,000 euros going to both the best European and the best Spanish project. A third jury will also give a special mention coming with 3,000 euros to a project in recognition of its entrepreneurial values. The winning and finalist projects will have the possibility to access funding of up to 500,000 euros for developing their project in the Basque Country.  

Moreover, the finalists —whether they already have a mature solution and are currently selling to their target market, or only have an idea with no functional prototype as yet— will have the possibility of one year’s free access to an incubation space at one of the BICs (Business Innovation Centres) belonging to the Network of Basque Technology Parks.

Some of the winning projects from the first five editions are currently enjoying success with the development of their business strategy. Dub.me (2024) has received the Seal of Excellence from the EIC Accelerator programme and has closed agreements thanks to which they can now operate in key markets throughout Asia, Europe and the USA; Motmo.pro (2022) is already up and running in the market, while Hyperate.io (2023) has seen a considerable rise in its app user numbers.

The Basque Government, through the Department of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability and SPRI, promote the Zinemaldia Startup Challenge, central initiative of the Zinemaldia & Technology event, organised by the San Sebastian Festival in collaboration with TECNALIA, ALÍA (Audiovisual Industrial Alliance) and Vicomtech. Zinemaldia & Technology is a strategic commitment by the San Sebastian Festival in its endeavour to position itself as a space for reflection on technological innovation in the audiovisual sector.

The competition for national startups is part of Spanish Screenings: Financing & Tech, an initiative enjoying the involvement of the Ministry of Culture through the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA), the Ministry for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service, ICEX España Trade amd Investment, the Malaga Festival and the San Sebastian Festival.