Spanish ministers have updated the industry on plans to grow the country’s film and TV production sector by 30% by 2025.
Speaking at the San Sebastian International Film Festival on Wednesday (Sept 22), government representatives said work is going ahead on the ambitious €1.6bn ($1.9bn) investment plan that is intended to boost the number of production made by Spanish companies and the use of the country as a location over the next three years.
First unveiled six months ago, ministers reiterated the main aims of the plan: devise strategies to attract international investment; support local companies and talent, growing their presence in international markets; and increase gender parity.
The scope of the ambition is reflected not only in the amount earmarked for the industry but also through the involvement of key government departments, such as the ministry of economy, which has long been called for by the film sector.
This ground-breaking involvement from different areas of the government was spotlighted in San Sebastian by Roberto Sánchez, secretary of state of telecommunications and digital infrastructures from the ministry of economic affairs and digital transformation.
Sánchez also highlighted a new law set to regulate the film and TV sector, which is being drafted and could be passed before the end of the year, which aims to see international streaming platforms invest 3.5% of their revenue in Spanish content.
Beatriz Navas, head of the Spanish Film Institute (ICAA), also reminded the audience that a new law for the film industry is being drafted, which is aimed at reflecting changes on the landscape of the production sector.
Navas said ICAA is working on gender parity strategies “to speed up the process and have more productions led by women”, supporting the development of projects through talent labs.
Strengthening the presence of Spanish productions worldwide is also a priority and Navas said €20m has been allocated in a bid to increase co-productions, international distribution and the presence of productions and talents in festivals and markets.
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