RTVE finances 57 new Spanish film projects

Public television becomes the best window for Spanish cinema as it is the network that has broadcast the most titles so far this year, with 668 films compared to the 76 broadcast on all private channels. There have been 310 more titles than in the previous period, and 89.9% of all Spanish cinema broadcast on general channels, the highest figure in nine seasons.

This year, RTVE has committed its participation to date in 57 audiovisual projects between cinema, documentaries and TV movies. In addition, it has become the best window for Spanish cinema as it is the network that has broadcast the most titles, with 668 films compared to the 76 broadcast on all private channels. There have been 310 more titles than in the previous period, and 89.9% of all Spanish cinema broadcast on general channels, the highest figure in nine seasons.

In the presentation of these figures at the San Sebastián Festival, the director of TVE, Eladio Jareño, spoke about TVE's relationship with cinema, its support in production, broadcast and promotion, and highlighted the importance of "maintaining this commitment of Spanish Television with cinema. When we say 'We are cinema', we really mean it. And we want to continue being that."

The director of Film and Fiction at TVE, Fernando López Puig, has indicated that in principle, the figure committed to launching these projects is 23 million euros, of which 75% will be allocated to cinema and the rest to other formats. On the other hand, he has insisted on the network's willingness to continue supporting film projects: "We do it from the heart and with great enthusiasm. Cinema, documentaries, TV movies... are one of the most important points of a public channel's programming and a wonderful way to compose our schedules."

As highlighted in the press conference, La 2 celebrates 50 years of supporting Spanish culture. The director of the chain, Juanma Hidalgo, has highlighted that it is "the cinema chain. Our prime time is taken by cinema and we like it to be that way. We also want to go further and that in La 2 cinema is also debate, history, we want people to talk about cinema, and we want to bet on the future of cinema, for example through 4K".

Beyond the TVE screen, Alejandro Vega, director of RTVE Digital, has highlighted the commitment to cinema on RTVE.es: "We have more and more films available. On the web, cinema is highly consumed. Also on social networks. With this, the public has a 360-degree experience, in which 4K is increasingly present."
At the end of the press conference, Ramón Colom, president of FAPAE, presented the award from the Federation of Spanish Audiovisual Producers to TVE for its 60 years of cinema, pointing out that "without TVE, Spanish cinema as we know it would not be what it is." Eladio Jareño has collected the plaque stating that "we are now turning 60. And highlighting our support for cinema. A fact and a relationship, that of TVE with cinema, that will remain the same when we turn 100."

Participates in 24 films so far this year

RTVE has participated in 24 Spanish films so far this year, among them Juliet by Pedro Almodóvar, La Jota, by Carlos Saura, The last of the Philippines, by Salvador Calvo and me man by Laura Mañá. He has also opted for animated films with titles such as Buñuel in the turtle labyrinth, D'Artacan and the three muskedogs y Yoko and her friends.

In addition, RTVE is previewing two titles in this edition of the San Sebastián Festival: Winds of Havana by Félix Viscarret, starring Jorge Perugorría and Juana Acosta, adaptation for the big screen of the literary world of Cuban Leonardo Padura, last Princess of Asturias Award for Literature; and coproduces Spain in a Day, by Isabel Coixet, a project started on October 24, 2015 that culminates with the preview of the film in San Sebastián and that summarizes life in Spain for 24 hours through the edition of more than 22,000 stories created by Spanish citizens.

Issues 668 Spanish titles

RTVE has once again been the largest showcase of Spanish cinema. La 1 and La 2 have been the channels that have programmed the most Spanish films in the last year, with 668 titles, 310 more. The increase occurs in both channels, with 68 Spanish films broadcast on La 1 and 600, on La 2. This is 90% of Spanish films broadcast on general free-to-air channels. It is the season in which the most titles have been broadcast for nine years. Most of the titles have been broadcast in prime time, with 321 films, 129 more than the previous season. La 2 is once again the largest showcase of Spanish cinema in prime time, with 311 feature films, 163 more.

In total, 41.7 million viewers have watched Spanish cinema on TVE at some point. On La 1, the most followed film has been The witches of Zugarramurdi, with 2.6 million (14.3%), while Death had a price has been the most watched on La 2: 1,113,000 viewers (8.2%), a historical record for History of our cinema last July.

RTVE also continues to promote Spanish cinema on its screens under the heading 'We are cinema', with 41 titles this season, compared to 32 last season. The number of passes is also doubled (5,820). It is the largest promotional effort for Spanish titles on RTVE by seasons since it was recorded.

Participate in 28 documentaries

RTVE has participated in 28 documentaries so far this year, among which stand out Send eggs, by Diego Galán, which is screened at this Festival. Extension of With a broken leg, tells how Spanish cinema has reflected the Spanish man or at least, certain prototypes over the years; Don Quixote from the audience, by Ángel Peláez, which shows how Cervantes' work has been seen throughout history on stage through different productions, film, television, musical, opera or ballet.

Also co-produces The secret history of mummies, with the most unknown and surprising history of mummies and Ancient Egypt; or the second part of The Sinsombrero, Hidden and impeccable, a transmedia project about the forgotten women of the generation of '27, co-produced by RTVE; as well as Joaquín Sorolla, catching the light, about the work of the Valencian painter.

Tv movies

This year marks the centenary of the death of the poet Rubén Darío and TVE will premiere the tvmovie for this occasion Princess Paca, with Irene Escolar and Daniel Holguín, a story about Rubén Darío's love for Francisca Sánchez, a young gardener. It is directed by Joaquín Lamas, with a script by Joaquín Llamas and Javier Pascual and is an adaptation of a novel by Rosa Villacastín and Manuel Francisco Reina.

The network will also recover a women's story set in World War II, The light of hope, directed by Silvia Quer, based on real events that happened in the Elna maternity hospital, which cared for pregnant women from the Argelés and Rivesaltes internment camps, in Vichy France. The cast is headed by Noémie Schmidt; and alongside her will be the actresses Natalia de Molina, Blanca Romero, Nora Navas and Nausicaa Bonnin.