The municipality of José Luis Martínez-Almeida will begin the formal steps to award Tim Burton, the renowned American filmmaker, the title of Ambassador to Madrid. This marks the first time the city bestows this newly created distinction on a single individual.
Council sources confirm Burton’s appointment, describing him as a “tall and world famous artist” whose elevation to Ambassador of the city is expected to enhance Madrid’s image and underscore the achievements of one of cinema’s most distinctive voices.
The City Council Board of Governors is scheduled to approve the initiation of the procedure this Thursday. The move is included in the council’s framework of honorary privileges, reformed and approved last April, with the aim of recognizing individuals who have carried out activities or provided services abroad that benefit Madrid.
According to the plan, up to three Ambassador titles can be conferred each year, a privilege that will be granted only for actions deemed worthy and in keeping with the city’s public interests.
The award will align with the arrival in Madrid of an immersive exhibition dedicated to Tim Burton’s body of work. The show is planned to debut globally and will be staged at Espacio Ibercaja Delicias after the summer, with dates still to be confirmed.
Andrea Leviin, the municipal delegate for Culture, Tourism and Sport, commented that Burton’s lifelong creativity will be showcased in a city celebrated as a hub of world art and as Madrid’s own first love. The statements were disseminated to the press as part of the city’s communications plan. [City Council Archives]
Leviin added that, for the first time in Europe, a retrospective of Burton’s graphic work will be accessible to the public, noting that the artist’s process begins with drawing on a simple sheet of paper and evolves into a fusion of fabrics and brushes that reflect Madrid’s artistic spirit. [Cultural Affairs Office]
The City Council describes Tim Burton as renowned for the gothic aesthetics that characterize many of his films and as a singular visual genius among contemporary directors. He is credited with drawing audiences of all ages to cinemas worldwide, including teenagers and young people from diverse backgrounds. [Official Records]
Among Burton’s most notable works cited in the discussions are Bitelchus, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, Mars Attacks!, Sleepy Hollow, Planet of the Apes, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Corpse Bride, Sweeney Todd, and Alice in Wonderland. These titles are frequently referenced in analyses of Burton’s influence on modern cinema and visual storytelling. [Filmography Compendium]