Screenplays set in Fuerteventura received the top honours at IsLABentura Canarias, the international screenwriting laboratory that recognises projects inspired by the stories, culture and landscapes of the Canary Islands.
The screenplay for the feature film A Victorian Lady in Tindaya, written by Esther Fernández Guerra, and the television series Dinamita, created by Daute Campos and Sara Molina, received the awards for Best Feature Film Screenplay and Best Series Screenplay, respectively. Both projects place Fuerteventura at the heart of their narratives, highlighting the island’s rich cultural heritage and extraordinary natural environment.
This marks the third consecutive year that the Fuerteventura Film Commission, directed by Nereida Calero, has collaborated with a programme that continues to position Fuerteventura as a source of inspiration for audiovisual storytelling.
As part of the development process, the screenwriters travelled to Fuerteventura to conduct research and gather inspiration for their projects, accompanied by Goya Award-winning screenwriter Yolanda García, who served as their mentor throughout the programme.
According to Nereida Calero, Councillor responsible for the Fuerteventura Film Commission, the winning projects demonstrate both the quality of the work presented and the growing importance of Fuerteventura within the audiovisual sector.
“These screenplays not only showcase the talent and creativity of the professionals working within this industry, but also help project Fuerteventura as an exceptional location for the development of audiovisual projects, further consolidating our island as a cultural and scenic reference point,” she stated.
Calero also emphasised that initiatives such as IsLABentura contribute not only to enriching Canary Islands storytelling but also to strengthening Fuerteventura’s relationship with the international audiovisual industry.
The winner of the Best Feature Film Screenplay Award, A Victorian Lady in Tindaya, tells the story of the Victorian traveller and writer Olivia Stone, born in Ireland in 1856. The screenplay follows her journey through Fuerteventura as she documents unique aspects of island life, inspired by the work that would later become a landmark contribution to literature about the Canary Islands.
The screenplay also received recognition from the Association of Women Filmmakers and Audiovisual Media (CIMA) as an outstanding example of quality storytelling and female contribution to the audiovisual industry.
Meanwhile, Dinamita, written by Daute Campos and Sara Molina, and winner of the Best Series Screenplay Award, tells the story of a young resident of Fuerteventura who dreams of performing in the Carnival Drag Gala. Through the creation of his alter ego, Dinamita, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that reflects the spirit of freedom, diversity and celebration that characterises the Canary Islands and their traditional festivities.
The closing ceremony of IsLABentura 2024, which has become an important platform for promoting stories connected to the Canary Islands, took place at Lago Martiánez in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
The awards included financial support and, in several cases, opportunities for publication through partner production companies, inclusion in industry catalogues, or direct participation in international audiovisual markets.
The initiative is organised and promoted by the Government of the Canary Islands, with the collaboration of PROEXCA and the seven island councils.