“I survived NATO bombings in Belgrade, raised my son as a single father in the UK, and rebuilt my career in Barcelona.” A solid introduction.

It’s clear that Cal Smyth (Bristol, 1975) knows how to tell a story. A screenwriter and video director, he co-founded Diigima Creative Studio to merge narrative and technology, creativity and innovation, with the goal of bringing more stories that deserve to be told to life. Among them, many that unfold at Tech Barcelona events.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

CS: We combine storytelling and technology to create videos that emotionally impact every audience.

TB: Where is your project now, and where do you see it in two years?

CS: Well, we just survived our first year! We’ve completed some really interesting projects, but now we’re focused on securing long-term clients. In two years, our goal is to be able to pay our salaries and keep our accountant happy.

TB: A key decision that shaped your project.

CS: It happened on a train ride from Barcelona to Madrid. Sitting with my future partner, the idea came up—we bought the domain and shook hands to become co-founders of Diigima Creative Studio.

TB: The biggest challenge you’ve faced and what it taught you.

CS: Raising my son as a single father while he had to overcome racism and bullying taught me to show love, resilience, and perseverance in the face of any obstacle.

TB: The best advice you’ve ever received.

CS: Probably from our accountant, who told us to always put everything in writing in a contract before starting any work. Countless times, I’ve wished I had listened.

TB: We all change over time. Have you changed your mind about anything?

CS: Phew, about many things. For a business to succeed, you have to be flexible. I think nowadays the word everyone uses is “pivot.”

TB: A professional figure who inspires you and why.

CS: I’ll choose someone local but also internationally minded. As owner of Blue Book Theatre Company, Aileen Kelly pours her soul into making it work: a passionate project that also needs to be financially viable. Plus, we have a lot of fun creating trailers and recording plays for her.

TB: What do you value most in the people you work with?

CS: Luca, my co-founder at Diigima Creative Studio, is incredible at learning and implementing new tech skills to fit all my crazy creative ideas—whether designing our website or filming and editing a dystopian romantic thriller with Barcelona as an empty urban landscape.

TB: One technology that will shape the future.

CS: AI, obviously, is what everyone talks about, but rather than letting it shape us, I think we should see it as an amazing tool for humans. Otherwise, we’re practically doomed.

TB: A startup or company you admire and why.

CS: From a distance, I admire Questo, an interactive walking exploration game app. I don’t know the ins and outs of their business model, but I love the mix of technology, storytelling, and physical experience.

TB: How do you disconnect?

CS: I’ve always found it hard to switch off my mind, but I take daily walks and go for a run once a week to clear my head.

TB: A book to recommend.

CS: Well, there are some really cool novels written by a guy named Cal Smyth, but I guess I can’t recommend my own. So I’ll go with The Border by Don Winslow: a fantastic noir novel, a masterful portrayal of drug trafficking between Mexico and the U.S., and a powerful human story that hits you right in the gut.

TB: A song that defines your current moment in life.

CS: Right now I’m revisiting OK Computer by Radiohead because my son is learning to play it on guitar.

TB: A recipe, dish, or restaurant.

CS: Thai noodles. It’s my own creation. I also love Can Paixano, just around the corner from Pier01 at Tech Barcelona: cava and burgers for just a few euros. An amazing place.

TB: A place in the world.

CS: So many places. Barcelona and Belgrade are my favorite cities. For island getaways: Hvar, Elba, and Crete. Also the Path of the Gods in Amalfi. Oh, and being atop Montserrat on my fiftieth birthday.

TB: Where would you invest €100k?

CS: In Greenland’s military defense? I’m not sure €100,000 is enough to unite the world in harmony, but maybe more wind turbines should be built in Europe.

TB: If you weren’t an entrepreneur…

CS: Sometimes I still dream of playing for Liverpool, which honestly could use a defender lately. I’d say being creative and making films, but that’s already what I do. So I’d stick with living on a remote island, writing stories, and swimming every day.

TB: What is Tech Barcelona to you?

CS: A support network where you can meet incredible people. At one of the Afterworks, I met people who became great friends, and that’s how we landed our first job with Tech Barcelona itself. I’m very grateful for that—it shows Tech Barcelona works on both levels: social interaction and creating job opportunities in the tech sector.