Spain Reaffirms Commitment to Audiovisual Industry Growth with "Spain Crece" Fund
Óscar López, Spain's Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Administration, has declared the government's steadfast commitment to bolstering the nation's audiovisual sector. At the San Sebastian Festival's 'The New Script of the Audiovisual Industry' conference, López confirmed on Sunday that his Ministry would persistently back the industry via the Spain Crece Fund, with further strategic investments anticipated through SETT, the Ministry's sovereign venture capital fund.
Highlighting the success of current policies, López underscored that effective public initiatives should be sustained indefinitely. He proclaimed the present era as a 'golden age' for Spain's audiovisual industry, citing remarkable growth figures. This includes a 31% surge in audiovisual production in 2025, positioning Spain as the European Union's largest production market. Furthermore, employment within the sector has seen a dramatic increase, more than doubling from 30,900 workers in 2020 to over 64,000 in 2025. The Minister also proudly noted that Spanish productions dominate Netflix's global non-English Top 10s, with more titles than any other country. López attributed this success to pre-existing talent, innovative ideas, and diverse locations, now complemented by decisive political will and substantial capital injection through initiatives like the Spain Audiovisual Hub Plan, which has already channeled 1.6 billion euros into the sector, yielding significant benefits and expanding horizons.
Industry leaders, including Miriam Segal of Good Film Studios and José Carlos Garcia of Ánima Kitchen, lauded Spain's supportive environment, praising the studios, talent, and government commitment that have facilitated growth and international competitiveness. A panel discussing Europe's audiovisual future emphasized the continent's cultural diversity as a key strength, advocating for varied approaches in incentives, investment, and talent development. They also discussed the evolution of television into a broader 'ecosystem' encompassing linear channels, streaming, production, and distribution, with calls for regulation to keep pace with technological advancements. Preliminary data from an Olsberg study revealed that direct production expenditure between 2020 and 2025 reached 20 billion euros, generating nearly 18 billion euros in gross value added and sustaining around 64,000 jobs, with over half of these jobs originating from related industries. The comprehensive report is set for release on September 22, promising further insights into the sector's vibrant ecosystem.
Spain's proactive and strategic investments in its audiovisual sector exemplify a forward-thinking national policy that fosters creativity, economic growth, and global cultural influence. By recognizing and nurturing its inherent strengths, Spain is not only achieving remarkable success on the international stage but also setting a compelling example for how nations can champion their cultural industries for a brighter, more prosperous future.
