At the 73rd San Sebastián Film Festival, Madrid reaffirmed its role as a leading global hub for the audiovisual industry.
During the event, organized by the Madrid Audiovisual Cluster with support from the City Council and the Community of Madrid, regional and national representatives presented fresh data and strategies that highlight the city’s rapid growth in international production, investment and infrastructure.
According to a recent study by the AFI (Analistas Financieros Internacionales): the region accounts for 28.9% of all active audiovisual companies in Spain, but generates 74.7% of the sector’s revenue and 47.2% of its employment. Moreover, the sector contributes 2.6% of the GDP and 2.8% of employment in the Community of Madrid, generating €2.3 billion ($2.7 billion) in direct GVA, with a total economic impact of $8.45 billion.
As Carlo d’Ursi (VP of Madrid Audiovisual Cluster) remarked, Madrid is home to the largest concentration of the audiovisual sector in Spain, including independent cinema, major streamers, public and private TV corporations: giants such as Netflix, Disney, Amazon, Mediaset, Atresmedia and Televisión Española operate all over the country, but they’re all based in the capital.
Another relevant aspect is the city’s growing significance as a production hub, due to the exceptional level of development and competitiveness of the ecosystem, made up of more than 3,500 companies, and the high level of qualification and specialization of the over 30,000 professionals who work in the audiovisual sector in Madrid.
The Community of Madrid is preparing a new strategic plan for the audiovisual sector that foresees a significant expansion of support measures. The plan envisions a doubling of production grants, the launch of fresh schemes to attract investment, and dedicated initiatives aimed at nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable practices. It will also place a renewed emphasis on showcasing the entire region’s municipalities as prime filming locations, broadening opportunities beyond the capital itself.
With these measures, Madrid not only positions itself as Spain’s audiovisual powerhouse but also as a serious competitor in the European and international landscape, attracting productions that seek quality infrastructure, reliable incentives and a vibrant creative environment.
Photo credits: Pexels
