Hi! My name is Mario Cano. I’ve been living in Barcelona since 2017, and I’m originally from Colombia—specifically from Manizales, Antioquia. I film skateboarding videos, as well as other types of content like events, music, and anything that can be born from art. At night, I work at The Station making cocktails, which allows me to balance everything I do creatively.
How was your transition to life in Barcelona, and how have you seen the skateboarding scene evolve since you arrived?
I had already visited several times before moving here. Anytime I was filming a tour or someone traveled abroad, we’d usually end up in Barcelona.
My transition was relatively smooth because back in 2006 I had a tough experience, and I told myself I wouldn’t come back until I had something more solid—an identity, a vision, and projects to pour myself into.
In 2017, I returned to Barcelona from Valencia after a breakup and decided to start fresh. Since I already knew a bit of the skate scene from past trips, it was easier to fit in.
Skateboarding in Barcelona has always been on the rise. Every time I came, the level was higher—people from all over the world, skating incredibly well. Now, there are so many skaters from so many places, it’s hard to even keep track of what tricks have already been done, haha.
How can we preserve the essence of skateboarding in Barcelona, especially with threats like gentrification, criminalization, and urban redevelopment in iconic areas like MACBA and El Raval?
To me, skateboarding has no limits. We’ll always find ways to skate—on the streets, in hidden spots, wherever.
Of course, it sucks to see legendary plazas like MACBA get overrun by people who don’t contribute to the culture and only reinforce the stereotype that skaters are criminals. But I think the best way to preserve what skateboarding stands for is by documenting it, living it, and embracing the lifestyle—traveling, meeting people, creating connections, and building community.
What’s the hardest part of trying to live off skateboarding and working as a filmer? And how’s the dynamic within the scene?
It’s possible to make a living through skateboarding, but in Spain, you’re just scraping by. Sometimes you land good jobs, other times it’s barely anything—it really depends on the moment.
After COVID, the skate industry took a hit. A lot of shops and brands overstocked thinking product would fly off the shelves, but that didn’t happen. They were stuck with inventory they couldn’t move, and many—especially smaller brands—ended up closing. Even the local, national brands suffered hard.
These days, I think the most sustainable path is to travel, work with international brands, and then return to Barcelona to maintain connections. Use Barcelona as a personal brand, a reference point—but not necessarily the place where you expect to make a living.
In my case, filming skateboarding is more of a passion than a primary job. It takes up a lot of time because I love it, but what really pays the bills is my job at The Station.
Whatever money I earn from skating, I see it as a bonus—money that falls from the sky. I never expected to make anything from it, so every small payday is a surprise that pushes me to keep going. At this point, if I want to grow and actually live well off skating, I know I need to take the next step: go somewhere with a bigger industry, put my work out there, and build from there.
And how’s the vibe within the skate scene?
Sometimes Barcelona feels competitive, but if you really look, there aren’t that many full-time skate filmmakers.
There are plenty of people with cameras, people who film occasionally—but very few who dedicate themselves to it professionally, day in and day out.
So yes, there’s some competition, but there’s also space for anyone who puts in the work. Personally, I’ve mostly collaborated with skaters from outside Spain—people passing through the city.
The local scene in Spain is cool, though I’d say it’s stronger in Madrid or up north.
Barcelona, on the other hand, is super international—it’s a crossroads where everything and everyone blends together.
