The event, held in Madrid, once again focused on technology at the service of creativity. In its five years of existence, the workshop has hosted 81 projects from more than 30 countries, which have received training and advice from professionals applying R&D&I and the latest technology.
In its fifth edition, Next Lab took another step forward in changing the way animation is understood, putting technology at the service of creativity. This work has been carried out in collaboration with the community that has formed over the last five years, which collaborates, participates, and pushes us to move forward.
If you have an animation or videogame project and you want to improve it, register for free in our annual call to participate in the Next Lab Generation workshop.
We will select the best projects from among those submitted and teach you how to use the latest VR technologies to implement them in your project.
A jury of experts will select the winner(s) who will present at Annecy MIFA 2027.
Once your project has been chosen, you will receive virtual reality glasses for the workshop. You will need to have a computer with a graphics card that allows you to work in VR environments.
For several weeks, you will be accompanied by animation professionals who will teach you how to use these new tools through various tutorships, both in groups and one-on-one.
With everything you have learned, you will have to create a teaser of your project, making the most of the new tools. You will also work on a pitch that you will present to the jury at the final event.
Experts in the field will help you to improve your presentation, as well as the way you present your project, so that you can show your work in the best possible way and make it attractive to the Jury.
It will take place on June 11 and 12 in Madrid. Tickets will be available soon on the website.
We will have the presence of the most influential people in innovation and new technologies in the world of animation and video games.
We will view the finalists' work, all of which was created during the workshop using innovative animation production technologies.
A jury of experts will select the winning project(s), which will be announced during the event in Madrid.
The winners will present their projects at Annecy MIFA 2027, and one representative from each project will receive accreditation.
Meet the fourteen international participants who took part in the fifth edition of the workshop and the twelve finalists.

Carmen Álvarez Muñoz
The Shower Club
Carmen Álvarez Muñoz
The Shower Club
The Shower Club
Project description
“Give me a lever, and I will move the world”
Bio
Carmen Álvarez began her professional career by directing the short film "Tesoro," which was selected for several festivals and nominated for the 2026 Goya Awards. In her career as a concept artist, she has worked on other projects such as "Con Café (cuentos con la c)" directed by María Manero and, more recently, as art director on the short film "¿Hay algún muerto en la sala?" directed by Lucía Sampedro and Miguel Medrano Malo.

Alberto Rubén Ferreira Miguélez
dibuNautas
Alberto Rubén Ferreira Miguélez
dibuNautas
dibuNautas
Project description
The Dibus are sick and tired of you kids just scrolling with your little fingers: You know what they say? Stop ignoring us and open your minds… Less screen time and more fun!
Bio
I've been a filmmaker, creative director, and post-production coordinator for many years at my studio, Fanki.es... though I actually like to think of myself simply as a creator of images—the more beautiful, the better

Airel Muñoz Sánchez
Mr. Newsstand
Airel Muñoz Sánchez
Mr. Newsstand
Mr. Newsstand
Project description
In a crazy world, the only sane person is the one who dares to imagine another reality.
Bio
Ever since he was old enough to make his own decisions, he has always chosen the red pill in *The Matrix*. This led him to study Drama at the William Layton Laboratory, Audiovisual Communication at the Complutense University of Madrid (where he sought to engage with narrative whenever possible), and 3D Animation at Pepe School Land, after discovering the infinite possibilities offered by a boundless world and the viewport as a space to let his imagination run wild.He has worked as an actor in theatrical productions such as *La margarita del Tajo*, which gave Santarén its name (the winning play of the 9th edition of ALMAGROFF), and the more recent *La dama capitán*, as well as a video editor for various projects. Now, as an animator, after rendering his demo reel, he is setting out to navigate uncharted waters to carve out his place in the industry.

Daniela Belmonte Valencia
The Message
Daniela Belmonte Valencia
The Message
The Message
Project description
The hardest battle is against those who are no longer here.
Bio
With a deep passion for storytelling and animated film, Daniela began her career as a 3D generalist after graduating with a degree in Animation and Digital Art in Mexico. During this time, she discovered her calling for character animation, which led her to move to Barcelona to specialize in animation and storytelling at Pepe School Land. Her career spans video game, virtual reality, and advertising projects, and she has collaborated on productions such as a Black Mirror VR experience and the music video “Paranoia” for Riot Games. After working on independent projects like “Lumen,” “¿Hay algún muerto en la sala?” and “Catwalk,” she is now seeking new opportunities not only to continue growing but also to tell her own stories.

María Cristina Achau Torrente
Lows
María Cristina Achau Torrente
Lows
Lows
Project description
Underground, reality fades away.
Bio
Cristina Achaui, born in Albacete, studied Fine Arts in Valencia and Graphic Design in Madrid. She works in the animation industry from her home in Torredembarra. For the past seven years, she has worked for studios such as Influx, Hampa, La Mola, and Lucy Animation Studios, handling art direction, color scripts, and character and background design.

Luah Garcia
Os Ombreiras
Luah Garcia
Os Ombreiras
Os Ombreiras
Project description
In an incredible world where objects wear shoulder pads, a group of workers at a creative studio tries to survive the creative chaos, endless spreadsheets, and a mysterious cat that seems to control everything.
Bio
Luah Garcia is a Brazilian animator, illustrator, and producer based in Rio de Janeiro. She has worked on animated productions such as *Irmão do Jorel*, *Historietas – O Filme*, *Galaxy of Creatures* (Star Wars), and *Little Ellen*. She participated in international programs such as the Nickelodeon Content Accelerator and Ventana Sur Animation! with her series *Pizza Delivery*. She also directed episodes of the animated documentary series Mulheres Fantásticas and developed auteur short films such as Lucinéia and Os Aventureiros do Tempo Perdido. She is currently developing original animation projects through her production company Mochilando por Aí, focusing on environmental, educational, and adventure narratives.

Lyda Fernández Umbría
Rewind
Lyda Fernández Umbría
Rewind
Rewind
Project description
The greatest mysteries are smaller than we think.
Bio
Lyda Fernández Umbría is a 3D animator from Mallorca who loves bringing ideas and characters to life. A recent graduate, she is focused on building her career in animation. She specializes in 3D animation, has experience in 2D, and independently created the short film *The Way of Fear*.

Angel Luis Arce Castro
Sad Mahan
Angel Luis Arce Castro
Sad Mahan
Sad Mahan
Project description
He defends what he loves with what hurts him.
Bio
Ángel (Sankalibrado) is an illustrator and 3D artist from the Canary Islands. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Design and Creative Technologies from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and a master’s degree in Motion Graphics and Video Editing from CEI. He grew up surrounded by comics and visual references that shaped his sharp, narrative sense of humor, which is reflected in his work.In 2021, during his final year of college, he decided to teach himself 3D modeling, ignoring the advice of some of his design professors. Since then, he has been working at the intersection of 2D illustration, digital sculpture, and VR animation, creating expressive characters that connect with international audiences through unique worlds imbued with a strong personal touch. His work has been exhibited internationally in New York, Barcelona, Tokyo, Florence, and Seville, and has been included in global digital art collections.

Juan Luis Hernández Marroquín
Taras
Juan Luis Hernández Marroquín
Taras
Taras
Project description
What is named shatters the mask
Bio
Juan Luis is a Mexican artist with over seven years of experience in the animation industry as a visual development artist and production designer. He recently worked as part of director Robert Valley’s team on the animated series *Stranger Things: Tales from the 85* and on the UFC show *For Mexico, For All Time* at The Sphere in Las Vegas, a project that won a 2025 Emmy Award for Sports. He is currently developing his first original work, "Taras."
The Shower Club
“Give me a lever, and I will move the world”
The Shower Club
Project description
“Give me a lever, and I will move the world”
Bio
Carmen Álvarez began her professional career by directing the short film "Tesoro," which was selected for several festivals and nominated for the 2026 Goya Awards. In her career as a concept artist, she has worked on other projects such as "Con Café (cuentos con la c)" directed by María Manero and, more recently, as art director on the short film "¿Hay algún muerto en la sala?" directed by Lucía Sampedro and Miguel Medrano Malo.
dibuNautas
The Dibus are sick and tired of you kids just scrolling with your little fingers: You know what they say? Stop ignoring us and open your minds… Less screen time and more fun!
dibuNautas
Project description
The Dibus are sick and tired of you kids just scrolling with your little fingers: You know what they say? Stop ignoring us and open your minds… Less screen time and more fun!
Bio
I've been a filmmaker, creative director, and post-production coordinator for many years at my studio, Fanki.es... though I actually like to think of myself simply as a creator of images—the more beautiful, the better
Mr. Newsstand
In a crazy world, the only sane person is the one who dares to imagine another reality.
Mr. Newsstand
Project description
In a crazy world, the only sane person is the one who dares to imagine another reality.
Bio
Ever since he was old enough to make his own decisions, he has always chosen the red pill in *The Matrix*. This led him to study Drama at the William Layton Laboratory, Audiovisual Communication at the Complutense University of Madrid (where he sought to engage with narrative whenever possible), and 3D Animation at Pepe School Land, after discovering the infinite possibilities offered by a boundless world and the viewport as a space to let his imagination run wild.He has worked as an actor in theatrical productions such as *La margarita del Tajo*, which gave Santarén its name (the winning play of the 9th edition of ALMAGROFF), and the more recent *La dama capitán*, as well as a video editor for various projects. Now, as an animator, after rendering his demo reel, he is setting out to navigate uncharted waters to carve out his place in the industry.
The Message
The hardest battle is against those who are no longer here.
The Message
Project description
The hardest battle is against those who are no longer here.
Bio
With a deep passion for storytelling and animated film, Daniela began her career as a 3D generalist after graduating with a degree in Animation and Digital Art in Mexico. During this time, she discovered her calling for character animation, which led her to move to Barcelona to specialize in animation and storytelling at Pepe School Land. Her career spans video game, virtual reality, and advertising projects, and she has collaborated on productions such as a Black Mirror VR experience and the music video “Paranoia” for Riot Games. After working on independent projects like “Lumen,” “¿Hay algún muerto en la sala?” and “Catwalk,” she is now seeking new opportunities not only to continue growing but also to tell her own stories.
Mia and the Echo of the Forest
Lows
Underground, reality fades away.
Lows
Project description
Underground, reality fades away.
Bio
Cristina Achaui, born in Albacete, studied Fine Arts in Valencia and Graphic Design in Madrid. She works in the animation industry from her home in Torredembarra. For the past seven years, she has worked for studios such as Influx, Hampa, La Mola, and Lucy Animation Studios, handling art direction, color scripts, and character and background design.
Os Ombreiras
In an incredible world where objects wear shoulder pads, a group of workers at a creative studio tries to survive the creative chaos, endless spreadsheets, and a mysterious cat that seems to control everything.
Os Ombreiras
Project description
In an incredible world where objects wear shoulder pads, a group of workers at a creative studio tries to survive the creative chaos, endless spreadsheets, and a mysterious cat that seems to control everything.
Bio
Luah Garcia is a Brazilian animator, illustrator, and producer based in Rio de Janeiro. She has worked on animated productions such as *Irmão do Jorel*, *Historietas – O Filme*, *Galaxy of Creatures* (Star Wars), and *Little Ellen*. She participated in international programs such as the Nickelodeon Content Accelerator and Ventana Sur Animation! with her series *Pizza Delivery*. She also directed episodes of the animated documentary series Mulheres Fantásticas and developed auteur short films such as Lucinéia and Os Aventureiros do Tempo Perdido. She is currently developing original animation projects through her production company Mochilando por Aí, focusing on environmental, educational, and adventure narratives.
Rewind
The greatest mysteries are smaller than we think.
Rewind
Project description
The greatest mysteries are smaller than we think.
Bio
Lyda Fernández Umbría is a 3D animator from Mallorca who loves bringing ideas and characters to life. A recent graduate, she is focused on building her career in animation. She specializes in 3D animation, has experience in 2D, and independently created the short film *The Way of Fear*.
Sad Mahan
He defends what he loves with what hurts him.
Sad Mahan
Project description
He defends what he loves with what hurts him.
Bio
Ángel (Sankalibrado) is an illustrator and 3D artist from the Canary Islands. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Design and Creative Technologies from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and a master’s degree in Motion Graphics and Video Editing from CEI. He grew up surrounded by comics and visual references that shaped his sharp, narrative sense of humor, which is reflected in his work.In 2021, during his final year of college, he decided to teach himself 3D modeling, ignoring the advice of some of his design professors. Since then, he has been working at the intersection of 2D illustration, digital sculpture, and VR animation, creating expressive characters that connect with international audiences through unique worlds imbued with a strong personal touch. His work has been exhibited internationally in New York, Barcelona, Tokyo, Florence, and Seville, and has been included in global digital art collections.
Taras
What is named shatters the mask
Taras
Project description
What is named shatters the mask
Bio
Juan Luis is a Mexican artist with over seven years of experience in the animation industry as a visual development artist and production designer. He recently worked as part of director Robert Valley’s team on the animated series *Stranger Things: Tales from the 85* and on the UFC show *For Mexico, For All Time* at The Sphere in Las Vegas, a project that won a 2025 Emmy Award for Sports. He is currently developing his first original work, "Taras."
Click here to see all participants.
Meet the professionals who accompanied the participants in the workshop to get the most out of the tools.
Daniel Martín Peixe
A character animator with 12 years of experience at Disney ("Tangled", "Zootopia" and "Moana", the latter two Oscar winners), he currently works at Moon Studios as a cinematics animator. Daniel has worked in the animation industry as a traditional 2D and CGI animator in a variety of projects and locations around the world. Mentor of the professional online workshop Animsquad since 2017. Writer, director and creator of the virtual reality short film "The Remedy" (2019), created entirely with the virtual reality app "Quill".
Daniel Martín Peixe
Bio
A character animator with 12 years of experience at Disney ("Tangled", "Zootopia" and "Moana", the latter two Oscar winners), he currently works at Moon Studios as a cinematics animator. Daniel has worked in the animation industry as a traditional 2D and CGI animator in a variety of projects and locations around the world. Mentor of the professional online workshop Animsquad since 2017. Writer, director and creator of the virtual reality short film "The Remedy" (2019), created entirely with the virtual reality app "Quill".
Enric Sant
After graduating in Fine Arts, he starts his career as a multidisciplinary artist between classical techniques and digital art, he enters as a Junior Artist in the videogame studio Digital Chocolate, there he will gain experience until he reaches the senior category and will found his own studio, Omnidrone where he will carry out the art direction of various projects. Simultaneously, Enric continues to mature his artistic work, whose interest revolves around existentialism and other philosophical concepts. After more than 10 years involved in the video game industry, Enric decides to give a turn to his career and deepen the audiovisual field, leaving the production of video games to focus on making his own projects, focused on animation and CGI, assuming the role of art director and director, doing work for film and advertising, among his current projects are "IBIS" and "Lumen", VR animation series awarded at Annecy 2023.
Enric Sant
Bio
After graduating in Fine Arts, he starts his career as a multidisciplinary artist between classical techniques and digital art, he enters as a Junior Artist in the videogame studio Digital Chocolate, there he will gain experience until he reaches the senior category and will found his own studio, Omnidrone where he will carry out the art direction of various projects. Simultaneously, Enric continues to mature his artistic work, whose interest revolves around existentialism and other philosophical concepts. After more than 10 years involved in the video game industry, Enric decides to give a turn to his career and deepen the audiovisual field, leaving the production of video games to focus on making his own projects, focused on animation and CGI, assuming the role of art director and director, doing work for film and advertising, among his current projects are "IBIS" and "Lumen", VR animation series awarded at Annecy 2023.
Federico Moreno Breser
He studied filmmaking at the University of Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, later specializing in animation doing 3D short courses at Image Campus and finally returning from Animation Mentor in 2009. In 2005 he founded Mcfly Studio, one of the leading animation studios in Buenos Aires working for a wide range of clients and projects during all these years such as Legendary Pictures, Disney, Fox, Netflix, Ubisoft, Unicef, Bradesco, Marvel, Boca Juniors, Ford, among others. In 2009 he founded Moushon! a monthly magazine specialized in animation that spread animation in Latin America. Federico is the creator and director of the award-winning animated series Tierra de Rufianes, and the co-director of El Paraíso, an Epic Mega grant winning animated feature film noir that will hit theaters in September 2022. Towards the end of 2021 he released REBELS in association with Facebook Oculus, a virtual reality narrative story that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2021. Federico is currently based in Montreal working for Reel Fx as VFX Supervisor in the new Virtual Production department where they have just launched on Netflix, Super Giant Robot Brothers, the first animated series created using virtual production under the direction of acclaimed director and Pixar veteran, Mark Andrews.
Federico Moreno Breser
Bio
He studied filmmaking at the University of Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, later specializing in animation doing 3D short courses at Image Campus and finally returning from Animation Mentor in 2009. In 2005 he founded Mcfly Studio, one of the leading animation studios in Buenos Aires working for a wide range of clients and projects during all these years such as Legendary Pictures, Disney, Fox, Netflix, Ubisoft, Unicef, Bradesco, Marvel, Boca Juniors, Ford, among others. In 2009 he founded Moushon! a monthly magazine specialized in animation that spread animation in Latin America. Federico is the creator and director of the award-winning animated series Tierra de Rufianes, and the co-director of El Paraíso, an Epic Mega grant winning animated feature film noir that will hit theaters in September 2022. Towards the end of 2021 he released REBELS in association with Facebook Oculus, a virtual reality narrative story that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2021. Federico is currently based in Montreal working for Reel Fx as VFX Supervisor in the new Virtual Production department where they have just launched on Netflix, Super Giant Robot Brothers, the first animated series created using virtual production under the direction of acclaimed director and Pixar veteran, Mark Andrews.
Joaquín Martínez
He studied Fine Arts in Madrid, but ended up moving to the digital field, doing a master's degree in 3D animation. He also ended up moving to London, where he has developed most of his professional career. He lived and worked there for about 5 years, animating TV series for children, but always trying to cover other areas. In 2020 he returned to Spain, where he was part of the team of animators for the new installment of Tadeo Jones: "Tadeo Jones 3: Curse of the Mummy". That same year he participated in the first call of Next Lab, where he ended up being one of the 3 winning projects with "Going Down". Since then he works as a freelance collaborating in different animation projects as a VR artist or animator. He combines this with teaching experimental animation at the U-TAD university in Madrid, where he continues experimenting and developing new working methodologies.
Joaquín Martínez
Bio
He studied Fine Arts in Madrid, but ended up moving to the digital field, doing a master's degree in 3D animation. He also ended up moving to London, where he has developed most of his professional career. He lived and worked there for about 5 years, animating TV series for children, but always trying to cover other areas. In 2020 he returned to Spain, where he was part of the team of animators for the new installment of Tadeo Jones: "Tadeo Jones 3: Curse of the Mummy". That same year he participated in the first call of Next Lab, where he ended up being one of the 3 winning projects with "Going Down". Since then he works as a freelance collaborating in different animation projects as a VR artist or animator. He combines this with teaching experimental animation at the U-TAD university in Madrid, where he continues experimenting and developing new working methodologies.
Raúl Colomer
During the last few years he has been linked to Pinkman.tv studio as senior lighter and CG Supervisor with three projects completed, among them the Oscar winning "The Windshield Wiper", and the two Emmy winning "Jibaro", both directed by Alberto Mielgo. He has also been CG Technical Supervisor at In-Efecto, with the series project "Tara Duncan", where he was part of the studio's pipeline design team. He is currently the CTO of Hampa Studio, with more than ten projects in parallel in different states, focused on the development and implementation of proprietary and free software in workflows with "realtime" technology in 2D and 3D animation.
Raúl Colomer
Bio
During the last few years he has been linked to Pinkman.tv studio as senior lighter and CG Supervisor with three projects completed, among them the Oscar winning "The Windshield Wiper", and the two Emmy winning "Jibaro", both directed by Alberto Mielgo. He has also been CG Technical Supervisor at In-Efecto, with the series project "Tara Duncan", where he was part of the studio's pipeline design team. He is currently the CTO of Hampa Studio, with more than ten projects in parallel in different states, focused on the development and implementation of proprietary and free software in workflows with "realtime" technology in 2D and 3D animation.
An international jury of three industry professionals selected the three winning projects.
James Castillo
Originally from Madrid, he started his career in animation more than ten years ago, working in several countries such as Singapore, Spain, England, France and the United States. He has collaborated with renowned studios such as Sony Pictures, Nickelodeon and Netflix, in roles such as designer, art director and storyboard artist. In 2021 he debuted as a director with the virtual reality film Madrid Noir, which won several awards, including an Emmy in 2022. He also founded Martirio Films in 2023, with the aim of promoting genre animation nationally and internationally.
James Castillo
Bio
Originally from Madrid, he started his career in animation more than ten years ago, working in several countries such as Singapore, Spain, England, France and the United States. He has collaborated with renowned studios such as Sony Pictures, Nickelodeon and Netflix, in roles such as designer, art director and storyboard artist. In 2021 he debuted as a director with the virtual reality film Madrid Noir, which won several awards, including an Emmy in 2022. He also founded Martirio Films in 2023, with the aim of promoting genre animation nationally and internationally.
María Luquero
María Luquero is a creative director, production supervisor and 3D artist with a solid background in the animation industry. She has worked as Production Coordinator in outstanding projects such as Pocoyo, Tadeo Jones or El Ranchito VFX, among others. Currently, she is directing the pilot episode of her first original series, Titan Tofu, which has been selected in multiple national and international markets, highlighting MIFA Pitches, at the Festival d'Annecy, or Cartoon Forum. At the same time he develops his personal brand, Luquero Studio, where he offers specialized services in Art Direction, 3D Illustration and Animation Production.
María Luquero
Bio
María Luquero is a creative director, production supervisor and 3D artist with a solid background in the animation industry. She has worked as Production Coordinator in outstanding projects such as Pocoyo, Tadeo Jones or El Ranchito VFX, among others. Currently, she is directing the pilot episode of her first original series, Titan Tofu, which has been selected in multiple national and international markets, highlighting MIFA Pitches, at the Festival d'Annecy, or Cartoon Forum. At the same time he develops his personal brand, Luquero Studio, where he offers specialized services in Art Direction, 3D Illustration and Animation Production.
Tigran Arakelyan
Graduated from Hakob Kojoyan Art High School (2009) and Yerevan State University of Theater and Cinematography (2013) as a film art director. He was a designer at the well-known ReAnimania International Animation and Comic Festival (2010-2012); and has worked as an art director on more than 10 films, including the acclaimed Aurora's Sunrise. In 2018 he co-founded the Armenian studio OnOff Studio, where he has played a key role in numerous projects, including the feature film Zako, which was supported by the Armenian National Film Center and made entirely with Quill.
Tigran Arakelyan
Bio
Graduated from Hakob Kojoyan Art High School (2009) and Yerevan State University of Theater and Cinematography (2013) as a film art director. He was a designer at the well-known ReAnimania International Animation and Comic Festival (2010-2012); and has worked as an art director on more than 10 films, including the acclaimed Aurora's Sunrise. In 2018 he co-founded the Armenian studio OnOff Studio, where he has played a key role in numerous projects, including the feature film Zako, which was supported by the Armenian National Film Center and made entirely with Quill.
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