Culture and the Film Academy sign a collaboration agreement

It contemplates, among other joint actions, the design and implementation of a Cinema Museum. The Film Academy will participate in the training and education activities of the Spanish Film Archive.

The Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, Íñigo Méndez de Vigo, and the president of the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain, Yvonne Blake, signed an agreement this Wednesday that will establish the framework for collaboration between the two institutions to promote the national and international promotion of Spanish cinema. The agreement is valid for four years and may be extended for annual periods up to a maximum total of six years.

El Ministerio y la Academia se comprometen a crear, mediante un convenio específico, una Comisión de trabajo para la Promoción y Apoyo del Cine Español. La Comisión estudiará las medidas necesarias para el fomento de la actividad creadora en el ámbito de la cinematografía, y para la difusión nacional e internacional del cine español. El documento firmado contempla, también a través de un convenio específico, actuaciones conjuntas para diseñar y poner en marcha un Museo del Cine.

In addition, both institutions will carry out training, advice and support activities aimed at professionals in the sector; and they will prepare studies and reports in the field of cinematography and audiovisual arts.

The agreement includes the participation of the Film Academy in the activities and actions carried out by the Spanish Film Library, in the program of visits and workshops for children and young people, both compulsory education and vocational training, aimed at educating through cinema.

Méndez de Vigo ha señalado que “2016 ha sido una cosecha extraordinaria para el cine español”. “Nos comprometemos con el fomento de la actividad creadora en el ámbito del cine, y con la difusión nacional e internacional del cine español”, ha declarado.

In this sense, the minister has highlighted the posthumous granting of the Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X The Wise to Gil Parrondo. This concession was approved last Friday in the Council of Ministers. Gil Parrondo, winner of three Goya awards and two Oscars, worked on renowned Spanish and American films, establishing himself as one of the most famous Spanish artistic directors outside our borders.

"The Government's work with the cultural industries is not so much to finance them as not to hinder them. To help as much as possible, but trying not to generate unnecessary dependencies," continued the head of Education, Culture and Sports. “Without a doubt, aid to the film industry is necessary to support its creative activity,” but “the Government is no stranger to the problems of film financing” and occupies “a priority place in the Culture Plan 2020.”

“If we are working on State pacts for education, for pensions, or for energy, it is reasonable to consider a pact for Spanish culture, seeking the context of all those involved and all formations,” he added.