The Next Lab Generation 2026 workshop in Madrid showcased a diverse range of projects, with a particular focus on the integration of VR animation software Quill and AI image platform Magnific. The event, backed by the Community of Madrid and the Madrid City Council, aimed to foster innovation in the animation industry. Here's a breakdown of the six finalist pitches, each with its unique approach and perspective:
Don Quiosker-Man
This Spanish short film reimagines Don Quixote as a superhero, Kike, whose grief and financial struggles lead him to believe he has superpowers. The filmmakers combined CG animation with comic-book-inspired 2D sequences, creating a visually dynamic and emotionally engaging narrative. They found Quill to be a more creative tool than AI, allowing for intuitive sketching and scene blocking. The team's personal connection to the story and their unique visual style made this pitch stand out.
Rewind
Rewind is a preschool series that takes viewers on a journey through history, with two alien scientists accidentally triggering significant human milestones. The Spanish directors experimented with Quill-built VR dioramas, showcasing their creativity and attention to detail. While they found AI useful for generating individual images, they struggled with maintaining consistency in animated sequences, leading them to stick with traditional animation techniques.
Sad Mahan
Inspired by the Canary Islands' housing and tourism crisis, this Spanish videogame intro features a stylized paper-cutout aesthetic. The director, Ángel Arce, embraced AI for rendering and lighting, but emphasized the importance of control and not letting AI dictate the creative process. The project's metaphorical approach and unique visual style made it a strong contender.
Taras
This Mexican fantasy feature is set in the director Juan Luis Hernández's home region of Michoacán. Taras explores the relationship between fiction and reality, with a blind boy's journey through a mythical world. Hernández praised Quill for its intuitive nature and fell in love with the software, using AI primarily for finishing touches. The project's world-building and cultural connections made it a standout choice.
The Message
A deeply personal Mexican-Spanish short film, The Message is based on a story written by the director's mother about her relationship with her late father. The team produced the proof of concept almost entirely in Quill, avoiding AI to maintain an intimate, handmade feel. They explored the complex question of mourning and self-love, delivering a powerful and moving pitch.
The Shower Club
This Spanish comedy follows a group of older women who take on a nationwide movement after discovering better shower controls in the men's locker room. The directors, Carmen Álvarez Muñoz and Miguel Medrano Malo, found AI to be a fun tool, but ultimately decided on hand-drawn 2D animation for their unique visual style. Their memorable line, 'We felt like we were doing the boring part, and the AI was doing the fun part,' highlights the team's perspective on the creative process.
Each of these pitches demonstrated the diverse applications of Quill and Magnific, showcasing the power of technology in storytelling. The event's focus on VR and AI in animation is a testament to the industry's evolving landscape, and the finalists' unique approaches and personal connections to their projects make this year's Next Lab Generation particularly exciting.
