Two editions of Nokaekoiz Pena, a San Sebastian-based women-centric mentorship and production acceleration program, are beginning to fulfill that promise.
Funded by the Basque government through Zineuskadi and backed by Creative Europe Media, the programme reaches out to other regional entities such as the San Sebastián Film Festival Industry Office and Ikusmira Berriak to provide a structured path from script development to fundraising. Each receives intensive support across five modules: script doctor, budgeting, legal framework, funding application, and production planning, as well as a scholarship of 4,000 euros ($4,640) and exposure at Spanish indie industry showcase Abycine Lanza.
The initial results are promising. From the first edition, “Canción Animal” has moved to production with CSC Film and international co-producers, while “Lacoliana” could be supported by major companies at Porto/Post/Dock running, visitors of Berlin, San Sebastian Ixmee Laveliacs Esbaslands Esbasbasbasbasbasbasbusbusbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiásbastiá producer.
For the director, the programme is both a creative reset and a launchpad in the market. “I didn’t plan much work on the script,” director Maria Monreal told Variety. She is currently looking for lead producers and international co-production partners, targeting this year’s meeting at San Sebastian Festival.
Her production partner, Latvian-born industry expert Laura Lizma, has lived in the Basque country for more than a decade, and Noka said she had allowed her to reaffirm herself in the local sector. “A presentation at SSIFF will be a critical moment as we are looking for a majority producer to move it forward,” she told Variety.
Joana Moya, director of “La Colliana,” has discovered a scheme change. “Noka was a springboard where we started and deployed projects not only in Basque cinemas but also in wider stages such as Abyssin Lanza,” she said. The collaborative model of the program also blurred the lines between tutors and partners. “The tutors joined the team. Estivalis Urlesola was on board as a producer, and Rosio Mesa continues to accompany the project from Andalusia.”
Participant Zaila Zangitu, director of “Pajaracos,” explained the lab support in more phoric terms. “The workshop is like riding a long bike, not the same when you have a battery.
Mentorship is important. Tutors for the second edition include award-winning director Mar Coll and producer Valérie Delpierre.
For Nerea Castro, director of Cancion Animals, Noca’s role was clear. “Thanks to Noka, I have implemented a deep rewrite that allows me to capture the essence of the film. I also greatly improved the related documents, which helped me hone both my vision and how I told the story.” The project is currently under casting, and Flor & Txabe has already written original songs in search of lead actress and Basque singer Ana Arsuaga.
More generally, there is a strong sense of solidarity among participants. “I think there are very high quality cinemas made in Spain. I think this new generation of female directors has a lot to do with that,” says Monreal.
With both first edition projects now in production, new titles poised to take part in the funding round, and major producers on board in the early stages, Noka Ekoizpena has established herself as a notable accelerator designed to deliver women-led films to production, not just mentors.
