Spanish cinema raises more but shoots less

Las películas españolas llevan recaudado en 2016 casi 57 millones de euros y han sido vistas por 9,3 millones de espectadores. El número de rodajes iniciados ha descendido casi un 19%.

FAPAE, confederación que integra a la práctica totalidad de las productoras audiovisuales españolas de cine y televisión, en el marco del 64º Festival de San Sebastián ha hecho balance del momento que vive la industria.

El presidente de los productores Ramón Colom ha iniciado su comparecencia solicitando al Gobierno que finalice el proceso de puesta en marcha del nuevo modelo de ayudas al cine. Colom ha especificado que, en principio, el nuevo modelo contaba con treinta millones de euros de presupuesto para las ayudas generales a la producción de largometrajes sobre proyecto, de los que veinte están ya en proceso de pago, mientras que el resto se han quedado en un cajón “a causa del rompecabezas burocrático”.

However, the president of FAPAE has reported that the Secretary of State for Culture, José María Lassalle, had assured him that this matter would be resolved in an upcoming Council of Ministers, so no producer or member of the audiovisual industry had to be concerned about this situation.

Colom has emphasized that not providing a solution to the problem of budget allocation could jeopardize the future of audiovisual production and has regretted, during the press appearance, that the agreement between the Popular Party and Ciudadanos has not included the reduction of VAT on cinema as it has done with live shows.

Colom recalled that during the electoral campaign, all the Parties, except the Popular Party, were in favor of reducing VAT on cinema, and according to Government sources, it could almost certainly be adjusted to the average range of 10%. “Going to see a movie is no less a cultural event than a theater or an opera,” said the president of FAPAE.

The president of EPE-APV (Association of Basque Producers), Carlos Juárez, has joined these reflections, advocating for a financing model where the State regulates appropriate and non-testimonial tax relief. Juárez is betting that a new executive arrives willing to understand the audiovisual production industry in order to reach a competitive model.

For his part, Joxe Portela, vice president of FAPAE and president of EPE-APV, (Association of Independent Audiovisual Production Companies of the Basque Country), has released updated data on the film sector in Spain.

Box office goes up, filming goes down

As of September 15, 2016, 142 Spanish films have been produced, which represents an increase of 24.6% compared to last year in the same period. It should be noted that almost half of the qualified feature films are documentaries. On the contrary, the number of filmings started has decreased by almost 19%, 104 notifications compared to 128 in 2015 on the same dates.

Regarding the box office, according to data provided by ComScore, as of September 15, Spanish cinemas have grossed 405.7 million euros and have obtained 67.5 million spectators, which represents an increase of 8% in collection and 7.5% in spectators in relation to 2015 on the same dates.

Spanish films have obtained 56.8 million euros, with 9.3 million viewers. Therefore, the box office share of Spanish cinema stands at 14%. The president of FAPAE has assured that this is an excellent quota, higher than that of previous years at this time (with the exception of 2014).

Finally, Ramon Colom highlighted the Spanish participation in the San Sebastián Film Festival, which "this year is once again extensive, as well as the quality and creativity of our productions."

“Box office data show that Spanish cinema has connected with the public and this trend continues, so we trust that Spanish cinema will have an excellent year, with many releases to come and 2016 will end with a share very similar to last year,” concluded the president of the Spanish audiovisual producers.

The ICAA launches a new video to promote Spanish cinema

The Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA) of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports has presented a new video at the San Sebastián International Film Festival to promote Spanish cinema.

This is the second spot made by the ICAA, at the service of the film sector, as a letter of introduction for our cinema at festivals, markets and other film events, both internationally and nationally.

The spot shows references to nearly 50 films and aims to make the audience aware of the richness and creativity of the Spanish film industry. Edited by Rafael Martínez for the ICAA, the video can be seen on platforms and movie theaters, as well as on social networks.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWvyb1PinJ8[/youtube]