CFILMA: In 2022, US$563 million was invested in audiovisuals and 1,200 projects were recorded in CDMX

The Mexico City Film Commission introduced its 2022 Statistical Yearbook, with the results of the audiovisual activity, highlighting that the investment generated by the Audiovisual Industry grew 16.4% compared to the previous year, from US$563.7 million to US$656 million. Among the attendees were representatives of different production houses, platforms such as Netflix, Disney, Paramount+, Amazon Prime, Universal+, as well as Epigmenio Ibarra from Argos Comunicaciones and Benjamín Salinas from TV Azteca.

Among the highlights of the report are that the economic income generated that year exceeded US$2.1 million, and that US$690,000 was invested in the acquisition and maintenance of existing projection equipment, both the Faro Cosmos and Faro Aragón, new spaces for production that will be part of the city’s audiovisual circuit.

“CDMX is becoming a city of great economic growth, reduction of inequalities and today we are fortunate to have great guests such as the main international studios, particularly from the US, and the support of the National Chamber of Cinematography and production companies such as Argos. This process of industries and companies is already a reality in this city and particularly regarding the creative industry, which is today an unparalleled space for investment and creativity in our country and the entire world,” said Claudia Sheinbaum, Head of Government of Mexico City.

As for productions, Guillermo Saldaña, general director of the CDMX Film Commission, said that while in CDMX 1,289 audiovisual projects were made, in Bogota the number was of 203; in Buenos Aires, 646; and São Paulo 710. “This positions us as the city in Latin America where more is filmed for the second consecutive year. In addition, the most important studios in the world have branched here to make investment decisions and project development for the entire region. These data, among many other indicators, have made this city the audiovisual capital of Latin America today.”

In 2022, 13,246 locations were requested for filming, in addition, “the city has a growing supply of recording studios and forums with the highest cutting-edge technology, trained personnel to meet the needs of any type of audiovisual project.” He highlighted that the ten most important forum groups add up to 81,230 square meters of infrastructure for filming in CDMX.

MEXICO: THE MAIN PRODUCER OF MINUTES FILMED IN SPANISH
Avelino Rodríguez, President of the National Chamber of the Film Industry, said that in 2022 Mexico returned to fourth place in the world in moviegoers. “Our filmmakers are succeeding around the world, distribution dynamism grew, and films were released before going on platforms and in 2023 even more films financed by streaming platforms will be released in movie theaters.”

Regarding production, he reported more than 200 films, 759 commercials and 101 TV series in CDMX alone. “Let’s not forget that for some years Mexico has been the main producer of minutes filmed in the Spanish language on the planet and one of the largest exporters of foreign language production services. CDMX is considered as the world creative capital and, above all, in the audiovisual industry.”

The export segment of production services grew 45.6% compared to the previous year. “75% of the audiovisual production of fiction and advertising in the country takes place here, whether they are series, movies or commercials, the image of CDMX is constantly exported to the world.”