Flaming marvellous: AnthroTek makes El of an impression with Spain success
Its winning innovation was an AI-enhanced fire stunt mask designed to protect actors and stunt performers during high-risk fire sequences. The invention combines advanced silicone composites with AI-driven design optimisation.
Unlike traditional fire hoods, AnthroTek's novel fire masks combine advanced materials and AI-assisted 3D technology to enable safe yet realistic fire stunts with real flames. Already used in the movie 28 Years Later - starring Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes and Danny Boyle among others - it offers directors cinematic realism without CGI, setting a new safety and creative standard in SFX.
An early version of the solution is being sold, e.g. an MVP. Early adopters are the main customers.
Co-founder and CEO Raoul Peltier said: “This recognition highlights not only our commitment to innovation but also our mission to make film production safer worldwide.
“I was genuinely surprised the competition sponsored this project. It’s a niche market but a real problem area. Technology should also solve practical, real-world issues, not just billion-dollar ones.”
The Awards are the Festival’s flagship technology competition. Quickets, which applies airline-style yield management to cinema and theatre, won the Best Spanish Project accolade and also received the Special Mention for Entrepreneurship.
Each main prize carries €10,000 ($11,700), while the Special Mention adds €3,000 ($3,500). All finalists gain access to potential Basque Country funding of up to €500,000 ($585,000) and free incubation space at regional innovation hubs.
Backed by the Basque Government’s Department of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability and its agency SPRI, and organised with Tecnalia, Alía and Vicomtech, the Challenge has become the centrepiece of the Zinemaldia & Technology showcase.
Since 2022, it has also hosted a Spain-specific competition under Spanish Screenings: Financing & Tech, promoted by the Culture Ministry (ICAA), the Digital Transformation Ministry and ICEX.
Finalists each had 10 minutes to present and answer questions. The competition for national startups is part of Spanish Screenings: Financing & Tech, an initiative enjoying the involvement of the Ministry of Culture through the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA), the Ministry for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service, ICEX España Trade and Investment, the Malaga Festival and the San Sebastian Festival.