Weird Market 2025 Spotlights Original And Top Global IPs, Awards Emerging Animation And Game Creators

The 17th edition of Weird Market, Spain’s leading gathering for animation, video games, comics, and more, wrapped up over the weekend after three days of showcasing the top talent, projects, films, and properties from Spain and, more and more each year, the world at large.

This year’s event, which focused on highlighting the importance of protecting and fostering original IPs, recognized 13 outstanding works across short films, series, and video games, alongside the international WFest short film festival.

Festival director José Luis Farias emphasized the market’s impact despite limited resources compared to larger international events, and urged for greater support. “We’re going to keep fighting for Weird Market wherever we can, because our creators and producers deserve a meeting point in our country,” he said, urging greater institutional support for the growing industry.

Emerging Animation Talent

One of Weird’s most prestigious awards, the RTVE–Weird Market Talent Award for Best Animated Short Film Project, went to Moosika by Víctor Monigote (Spanish Academy Goya Award winner) and Esther Yañez. The story follows a young prehistoric woman who, despite partial paralysis, discovers the transformative power of sound and music. The prize includes a €25,000 development grant, opening the door for the short to evolve into a feature or series.

Another key honor, the Movistar Plus+ Short Film Project Award, granted by the country’s top streamer and one of its most important animation partners, was given to Only Rats by Paz del Carre, a Spanish–Portuguese stop-motion co-production set in New York City. The prize includes a €9,000 acquisition deal and guarantees a premiere at the first Weird Market after the film is finished.

Additionally, Nuria Mañosa Vázquez was recognized with the Best Young Creator Series Project Award (Annecy–MIFA) for Kipaut Survival Guide, earning free professional accreditation to next year’s MIFA, the market component of France’s Annecy Festival.

Innovation in Video Games

Weird Market has long spotlighted independent interactive media, and this year’s RTVE/Fallo de Sistema Awards honoring three standout video games who devs were present at the market:

• Numbra (Hamahiru – DigiPen Bilbao) — Best Video Game Project
• Parkoff! (Xabier Olaz) — Most Innovative Video Game
• Jordi & Oslo: La Cua Perduda (Joveguille) — Weird Plus Video Game

WFest: Global Short Films

The WFest short film festival distributed prizes to some of the most exciting voices in animation worldwide. The international jury praised the Jordanian–French co-production Shadows by Rand Beiruty as Best International Short Film for its compassionate portrayal of resilience in the face of violence and exile.

The European section celebrated Percebes (Portugal–France) by Alexandra Ramires and Laura Gonçalves for its poetic storytelling, while Izibene Oñederra’s When It Comes (It Will Have Your Eyes) was named Best National Short Film.

A new award in 2025, the Jury Award for International Talent, went to Balconada by Bulgarian filmmaker Iva Tokmakchieva, recognizing debut works from global animation schools.

Special mentions were also given to Off-Time by Nata Metlukh (European section) and Mater Benefacta by Marc Riba and Anna Solanas (National section).
Finally, the Audience Award went to Jervasio by Felix Bollain and David Rosel.

Winners – Weird Market 2025

• RTVE–Weird Market Talent Award (Best Animated Short Film Project): Moosika, Víctor Monigote & Esther Yañez
• Movistar Plus+ Short Film Project Award: Only Rats, Paz del Carre
• Best Young Creator Series Project (Annecy–MIFA): Kipaut Survival Guide, Nuria Mañosa Vázquez
• RTVE/Fallo de Sistema – Best Video Game Project: Numbra, Hamahir, DigiPen Bilbao
• RTVE/Fallo de Sistema – Most Innovative Video Game: Parkoff!, Xabier Olaz
• RTVE/Fallo de Sistema – Weird Plus Video Game: Jordi & Oslo: La Cua Perduda, Joveguille
• WFest – Best International Short Film: Shadows, Rand Beiruty
• WFest – Best European Short Film: Percebes, Alexandra Ramires & Laura Gonçalves
• WFest – Best National Short Film: When It Comes (It Will Have Your Eyes), Izibene Oñederra
• WFest – Jury Award for International Talent (Debut Film/School): Balconada, Iva Tokmakchieva
• WFest – Special Mention (European): Off-Time, Nata Metlukh
• WFest – Special Mention (National): Mater Benefacta, Marc Riba & Anna Solanas
• WFest – Audience Award: Jervasio, Felix Bollain & David Rosel