Spain has been a focus country at the European Film Market (EFM), one of the most important events in the audiovisual industry worldwide, which was recently held in Berlin in parallel with the Berlinale film festival. The choice of Spain as the country of honour is a recognition of the growth and quality of the Spanish audiovisual sector thanks to the success of the Spain Audiovisual Hub.
This is a public-private collaboration initiative led by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service and financed by the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, thanks to which Spain has established itself as a global benchmark for audiovisuals, promoting investment, production and attracting international talent. Thus, during a session held under the title "Spain Audiovisual Hub. A Model of Success", a balance of the results of the Audiovisual Hub since 2021 was presented, and the impact it has had in terms of sector activity, employment and internationalisation.
The sector is experiencing remarkable growth, as demonstrated by the 37% increase in film productions over the last year, exceeding 375 in 2023. This dynamism is also reflected in the significant increase in the turnover of the Spanish audiovisual sector, which rose from 251 million euros in 2021 to 487 million in 2023. Added to this success is the growth of the video game sector, with an increase of 16.3%. In addition, the sector has generated a considerable increase in employment, with an impressive growth of 95.62% between 2020 and 2023. These data confirm the leadership and competitiveness of the Spanish audiovisual sector at a global level, positioning Spain as an attractive destination for investment and content creation.
The Spanish Ambassador in Berlin, Pascual Navarro, gave the institutional welcome to the event, highlighting the importance of the audiovisual sector for Spanish culture and economy. Next, Carla Redondo Galbarriatu, Director General of Digitalisation and Audiovisual Communication Services at the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Public Service, presented the results of the Spain Audiovisual Hub, highlighting its contribution to the growth and internationalisation of the sector. According to Galbarriatu, Spain has become a key reference in European audiovisual production thanks, in part, to the promotion of the Hub Audiovisual España programme.
For her part, the CEO of ICEX Spain Export and Investments, Elisa Carbonell, highlighted the role of ICEX in the Spain Audiovisual Hub and its commitment to the international promotion of the sector. "For ICEX it has been an honour to be part of the Spain Audiovisual Hub Plan, reinforcing the internationalisation of the Spanish audiovisual industry," said Carbonell. "We are committed to ensuring that Spanish audiovisual projects receive the international recognition they deserve. Our strategy focuses on boosting visibility in the industry's main markets and festivals, facilitating strategic connections to foster strong alliances between the main players and promoting co-productions, helping companies secure financing, find the right partners and minimise project risks," she added.
A round table was also held during the event, which brought together leading industry professionals and government representatives, including: Jaime Ortiz de Artiñano, CEO of Atresmedia Cine, Olga Martín Sancho, Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at NBCUniversal, Ignacio Fernández-Vega, CEO of TBS - Telefónica, David Fares, Vice President of Global Public Policies at The Walt Disney Company Spain, María Luisa Gutiérrez, producer and CEO of Bowfinger International Pictures, and José Pastor, Director of Film and Fiction at RTVE.
The event was closed by Carmen Páez, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, who reaffirmed that "the Spanish audiovisual sector has experienced extraordinary growth in recent years, driven by a firm commitment from both the public and private sectors." "Today, Spanish audiovisual productions have consolidated a solid presence in the main international markets, from television series that have captivated global audiences to high-quality animation and award-winning films at the most prestigious international festivals. In addition, our country is committed to promoting international co-productions, strengthening ties with Europe, Latin America and beyond. Spain stands as a bridge between continents, providing privileged access to both the European and Spanish-speaking markets," she concluded.
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