THE NEW GOVERNMENT MEASURES CREATE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ANIMATION AND VISUAL EFFECTS SECTOR

From the Federation of Animation and Visual Effects Producers of Spain (Diboos) we want to express our satisfaction with the new decisions of the Government for the cultural field in the context of the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, since they reinforce the position of our sector as a factor in attracting foreign investment. We hope that this marks a new trend to reinforce in the future the national production of this type of content with other measures that still need to be taken.

The measures approved yesterday by the Government, especially those related to tax incentives, are clear proof that the coordinated work between the Ministries of Finance and Culture, with the invaluable work of the ICAA, together with the private agents of the sector, is yielding positive results. Specifically, these measures mean increasing our competitiveness in the short term and attracting foreign investment by creating qualified jobs and youth employment, so necessary at this difficult time, without requiring an outlay for the State coffers.

They also represent a major step towards putting the Spanish animation and visual effects sector in the position it deserves on the international scene, putting us on a par with other countries in our environment. They also represent a reinforcement for family content, which is essential for boosting the entertainment business in the audiovisual and film world.

“The animation and visual effects industry, although affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic like the rest of the cultural sectors, has demonstrated its strength and ability to recover in this crisis,” says Nicolás Matji, president of Diboos. Despite the establishment of the state of alarm and general confinement, companies in the sector have continued to work and maintain jobs in a very high percentage. “We have been able to move to teleworking with relative ease because we are eminently digital companies, accustomed to constantly learning and innovating.” In addition, it is a strategic sector that acts as an engine for many others implicit in the value chain, from toy companies, licenses, merchandising or auxiliary audiovisual services to interactive and digital content.

It is therefore time for the agents involved and public administrations to change, together, the paradigm at the audiovisual level of our country. The measures published today are a first step on this path, and we hope that in the future, as the situation normalises, they will be accompanied by other measures that are equally necessary for our sector. Specifically, the simplification of investment processes and tax incentives via AIEs, the recovery of aid to animation series already in development by the ICAA or the establishment of a minimum percentage of investment in animation content from independent producers in the future transposition of the European directive on the investment obligation of television channels and digital platforms.

It is also our responsibility to promote this new framework more vigorously among our foreign partners in the main forums and events of the sector, both those taking place within and outside our borders. Starting with the Quirino Forum of Ibero-American Animation, which will be held next June and where we will be able to demonstrate this potential.

Diboos has its own identity, but it has been able to work together with the rest of the audiovisual and cultural sector to make proposals that make a difference. From the federation we will work tirelessly to be part of the solution and, together, reactivate our sector in these times of crisis and contribute to the economic recovery of our country.