October will matter a lot for the City of Light project. Filming is slated to return to the Alicante film complex that month, after the European Union lifts facility restrictions on July 1. It was announced by the head of the Generalitat Valenciana this Tuesday that shooting will start in October. Ximo Puig spoke at the Alicante Forum under the banner “Ciudad de la Luz: a project with a future,” outlining a clear statement of intent about the Consell’s plans for the Alicante complex and the expected impact on the local economy.
Organized by the BİLGİ Club, Alicante University, the Valencian Community Business Confederation, Baleària, and À Punt, Puig’s participation was introduced by BİLGİ Club director Toni Cabot. For the first shoot of the new term announced for October, the president highlighted two additional agreed productions, one beginning in November and the other arriving in January next year. The first project will involve a Spanish production company with international reach, while the other two will involve American partners. Although Puig could not name the companies because of confidentiality, he noted that talks with Disney about filming in Ciudad de la Luz had progressed significantly during a prior visit to Hogueras.
From Community Thematic Projects has drawn up a five-year business plan for the Alicante complex once EU restrictions are lifted. The roadmap envisions up to 200 movies produced over five years, with studios turning profitable by 2025 or 2026 at the latest. It is estimated that 10% of these productions will be major projects. Other positive effects for the Alicante economy from the return of film-related activity include 5,000 industry contacts, 1.4 million overnight stays, and an estimated turnover of 850 million euros, according to Puig’s figures.
Predictions
Significant work has been carried out in recent months by the Generalitat, with steps directly overseen by the president, to ensure these economic forecasts come true. The strategic bet on Ciudad de la Luz is seen as key to moving past the reputational challenges from earlier corruption years that affected the region’s image. The work includes meetings with major production companies, the Spanish Film Commission, and ICEX—the Foreign Trade Institute.
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Puig opened his remarks by recalling tough negotiations with the “men in black” in Brussels to prevent the loss of a complex that has already attracted nearly 400 million in investment and could be repurposed as a logistics hub. Ciudad de la Luz became the cinema hub during a period when film activity dwindled to a trickle. Digital Zone, known as the vaccine center, served as a shelter for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict and shortages. Those refugees remained in the complex, and one of the next tasks will be to find a new, more stable home for them.
The relocation of Ukrainian refugees will allow Ciudad de la Luz to free more space for filming after August. “We need to resettle these people and pursue a more dignified, stable life plan,” the head of the council stated. He discussed the issue with Vice-President Aitana Mas, who shared Puig’s remarks during a livestream, along with minister José Luis Escrivá, who was urged to facilitate the transfer of incoming citizens to a better environment. From Ukraine to a more dignified area.
Initial investment
The Generalitat committed 2.5 million euros to commissioning new plants. This upgrade envisions rehabilitating the renowned water tank, a key feature attracting major production companies, as seen in classic Ciudad de la Luz films. The water tank is expected to be fully operational by November.
During the Alicante Forum, Puig reiterated that one of the main goals is to position Ciudad de la Luz as Spain’s premier film studio and one of Europe’s most significant hubs. He noted that forecasts show sufficient demand and that the audiovisual sector is enjoying a strong post-pandemic moment, with platforms like Netflix and HBO expressing growing interest in shooting there. An agreement with Euronews to host its European headquarters in Spain also moved forward.
There is a plan for a 25 million euro expansion of the facilities. If the Generalitat Valenciana’s five-year plan is fulfilled, Ciudad de la Luz will expand physically as well, with 90,000 square meters of space available for customization to meet emerging market opportunities in the ever-digitizing audiovisual sector. The president also hinted at potential facilities for esports events and streamers.
In his colloquium remarks, the socialist leader indicated Consell’s consideration of tax incentives to attract productions to Ciudad de la Luz, aligning with regional guidelines. Puig emphasized strengthening Alicante’s innovative position and keeping the studios connected to the broader innovation ecosystem as part of the Digital Zone. This includes nurturing new sectors such as electronic sports, which already carry weight in the province.
The President highlighted notable progress in Valencian Community innovation, noting a rise of 29 places in recent rankings. The European Union’s support places Valencia among the top Spanish autonomous communities for innovation and opens a range of possibilities beyond cinema.