Company: San Sebastian International Film Festival
Type of company: Competition for startups and entrepreneurs
Sector: Film and audiovisual
Location: Basque Country
Zinemaldia Startup Challenge is a competition aimed at European entrepreneurs and startups with solutions incorporating new technologies applied to the audiovisual sector. It is an initiative of the San Sebastián International Film Festival to foster new business projects to drive technological innovation and digital transformation in the industry.
The Zinemaldia Startup Challenge holds an annual one-month call for startups and entrepreneurs, which opens in May. Particularly, this competition has already completed six cohorts, with Zinkup hired to collaborate since the first edition in 2019. Every year, we are responsible for startup recruitment, coupled with managing direct marketing and personalized one-to-one communications. Besides, our work extends to outreach within the broader audiovisual industry community, including film schools, accelerators, incubators, and European film festivals.
The main communication and marketing objectives established by Zinemaldia for the startup recruitment period are as follows:
In order to attract high-quality startup and entrepreneurial project registrations for the Zinemaldia Startup Challenge, Zinkup leads several initiatives. The most important tasks include identifying startups and entrepreneurs as potential candidates for the competition. In any case, ensure clear communication and thorough follow-up with them throughout the process. Additionally, engagement with the broader audiovisual industry and entrepreneurship community strengthens our outreach. After all, these key actions are crucial for reaching the largest possible audience. Especially, they help position the competition as a leading European initiative, which drives innovation in the audiovisual industry.
Zinkup’s primary startup recruitment goal is to attract high-quality projects that align with the competition’s criteria. In the same way, the main challenge is the need to reach a very specific and targeted audience, specializing in new technologies applied to the audiovisual industry. To successfully address this, we conduct a thorough pre-identification process followed by highly personalized follow-up, which is divided into four phases.
Leads from startups and entrepreneurial projects that meet the competition requirements are part of a database that receives a series of email nurturing communications. Therefore, this series includes introductory, explanatory, and follow-up emails tailored to each target audience and in the appropriate languages. For example, there are different types of emails for Spanish-speaking and English-speaking projects. Separate emails are also sent to companies or entrepreneurs who have previously applied. Moreover, these emails offer the option to schedule a phone call to address any questions about the requirements, registration process, benefits, and prizes of the competition.
Undoubtedly, collaborating with the entrepreneurship ecosystem is essential for promoting the call for entries. In addition, working with the audiovisual industry community helps strengthen the outreach efforts. This partnership is key to positioning the Zinemaldia Startup Challenge as a leading initiative. Altogether, these efforts drive innovation in the audiovisual sector. To accomplish this, Zinkup first identifies and coordinates actions with key collaborators and influencers. Then, these partners help share the call for entries through social media and other communication channels. Additionally, newsletters and emails from film schools and festivals play a crucial role in reaching their students and communities. Through collaboration with European festivals, film schools, incubators, and audiovisual influencers, the call has been disseminated across various channels and in different European countries.
Accordingly, we have maintained a close relationship with collaborators, keeping them informed of the development of the call through personalized emails and phone calls, and sharing relevant information and posts via social media.
Due to Zinkup’s expertise in startup recruitment, startup programs and meticulous communication, the results of the competition and the positioning of the Zinemaldia Startup Challenge have consistently improved over the course of these six editions. For instance, in the most recent 2024 edition, Zinemaldia received more than 60 project applicants. Notably, 14% came from the Basque Country, 42% from the rest of Spain, and 43% from across Europe. As a result, this marked a new enrollment record for the competition’s six editions. Furthermore, the international response was significantly higher than in previous years, with a 25% increase in registrations compared to the previous year.
startups, entrepreneurs, and promotion agents
informational emails sent to the database.
calls were answered.
of registrations and applications received with personalized follow-up
Certainly, these results are the outcome of the continuous work of a team of communication experts, fluent in English, French, Basque, and Spanish. Our team has extensive knowledge of the communication needs and challenges within the entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem. In addition, we are well-versed in the acceleration programs offered by both public administrations and private entities in Spain.
Zinkup has created numerous success stories throughout its history in a variety of innovation and startup acceleration programs, including BIND, Sportek Hub, and Fomento de San Sebastián, among others. Consequently, this has allowed us to build an extensive and solid network of contacts with leaders in the growing startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
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MADRID | DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIÁN
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