The Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun, held three meetings with leaders from the main audiovisual manufacturing, distribution, and exhibition associations to share developments with the country’s cultural agencies. One key takeaway is that the Cinema Law, stalled in the last parliamentary session, is set to be revived, according to several participants who spoke to Europa Press.
Fernando Victoria de Lecea, president of the International Association of Audiovisual Production Companies (Profilm), reported that the minister indicated plans to continue the Film Law by reviewing it on the existing framework. He noted that this was the first contact in which the minister outlined the idea of moving forward with the latest draft of the law before Congress, coordinating with the culture committees there, and proceeding on the basis that already exists.
Specifically, the Film Code is eagerly awaited by various cinema sectors, especially independent producers who want to see how this initiative will unfold. The General Law of Audiovisual Communication, in this context, included a new definition of “independent producer” that drew disagreement among participants, as it appeared to confer greater power on network production companies.
Victoria de Lecea argued that the two different definitions found in the laws could be compatible, and he believed there would be no conflict since they originate from distinct regulatory domains.
Koldo Zuazua, president of the Independent Audiovisual Producers Federation (PIAF), also attended the meeting and praised the minister’s spirit and willingness to engage in dialogue. He noted that such openness was not a common experience for producers when dealing with previous ministers, especially in urgent situations.
Zuazua expressed that the participants left with a very positive impression, saying the minister promised to listen to them and that it would be the industry’s turn to be heard next.
While FECE members did not view the meeting as a first contact, they had already conveyed several demands before the Cinema Law came into force. Their proposals included repealing European exhibition quotas or creating 100-day exclusivity periods for new movie theater releases, as opposed to the current 45-day window.
The culture ministry stated that the purpose of these gatherings is to keep channels of dialogue open with the industry. The Monday producers’ meeting drew participation from the Association of State Independent Film Producers (AECINE), United Independent Audiovisual Producers (PIAF), Spanish Audiovisual Production (PATE), United Audiovisual Producers (PROA), the Spanish Federation of Production Companies — Animation (DIBOOS), the Spanish International Audiovisual Production Companies (PROFILM), the Regional Board of Audiovisual Producers (MAPA), and MEDIAPRO, among others.
On Tuesday, delegates from the Association of Independent Film Distributors (ADICINE), the Federation of Film Distributors (FEDICINE), and the Próxima Association joined the distributors’ meeting. Afterward, the minister and his team held discussions with the Federation of Spanish Cinema (FECE), the Association of New Spanish Film Exhibitors (NAECE), and the independent cinema network PROMIO. Cultural progress will continue to unfold as conversations with industry representatives proceed in the coming days, with ongoing updates anticipated in Canada and the United States through suitable channels and verified reports.