• They promote the entity's strengths as a film production center in the “Film market” space
• Producers exhibit short and feature films during the event

Guadalajara, Jalisco.- As part of its activities, the delegation that attended the 39th edition of the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG) held from June 7 to 15, attended 80 meetings and for the first time the state of Baja California had a promotional stand at the Guadalajara Film Market, a space to create ties, build relationships and do business with the most important film professionals in Latin America, announced Javier Espinoza Medina, Baja Film Commissioner of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (SEI).

The delegation made up of producer Luisa Gómez de Silva of G8 Entertainment; producer Alfredo González from Áridocine and the BC Hace Cine association; and businessman Juan Madrigal from the Studio 3351 equipment rental house, together with the Film Commission, were serving sales agents, studio and platform executives, producers, festival representatives, students, and the general public.

“…Having participated in the Industry Market at FICG 39 was a great opportunity to remind the 'top players' of this industry that Baja California still exists as a film production hub. That we have highly qualified human talent, a geographic incentive comparable and competent with the best in the world, as well as the government incentive for support in logistics and production accompaniment... On a personal level, I learned in detail how the national film industry works. It served as a thermometer to be able to measure the current situation of our cinema and take the necessary measures to make it grow from our trenches,” said Luisa Gómez de Silva.

Regarding the screenings of the creators of Baja California at the FICG, the best Ibero-American short film “She Stays” directed by Marinthia González and produced by Melissa Castañeda, which was recently selected in the Critics' Week of the Cannes International Film Festival. “Passarinho” co-written by Gerardo Lechuga was included in the same shortlist. The feature film “Vergüenza” produced by Janeth Mora also participated in the competition for the Mezcal award as Best Mexican Feature Film. Producer Cristina Velasco presented the feature film “La Sombra del Catire”; and the producer and host Oscar Uriel was the master of ceremonies during the benefit gala to present the film “The Wingwalker” filmed on location in Baja California, under the direction of Alonso Álvarez and starring Omar Chaparro.

Juan Madrigal from the rental house Studio 3351, commented: “participating in this edition of the FICG was an opportunity to remind filmmakers that products and services that previously only existed in CDMX already exist in Baja California and have existed since more than 30 years ago. It also served to remind us that this experience and qualified team makes production viable in the state, since most of its needs can be resolved locally.”

The Baja Film Commission, being part of the board of directors of the Mexican Network of Film Commissions and Filming Support Offices (REDMEXCOM), witnessed the signing of the letter of intent between the National Chamber of the Film Industry (CANACINE), Mexican Association of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences (AMACC) and the University of Guadalajara, to formalize the creation of the Observatory of the National Cinematographic and Audiovisual Industry, which will be a collegiate work to identify industry problems and generate information and organization of academic activities on the economic, political, cultural and social reality of the film and audiovisual sector, among others.

Regarding his participation in the FICG, Alfredo González Unibe from Áridocine and BC Hace Cine commented: “Producers, creatives and the state government representation have come together during the different activities of the festival and market. Participation has been favorable, opening conversation to attract investment and economic benefits to the state through the search for intellectual property, co-production possibilities and offering filming and production services for film projects in the state. Without a doubt, the first step was taken to begin positioning the state as an ecosystem that provides value to filming and producers who see a business opportunity in Baja California. Now it continues, in addition to continuing to participate in this type of events, to continue working in the state in view of a modification of the Law for the Promotion, Development and Development of the Cinematographic and Audiovisual Industry to the state, which in addition to the technical and technological human resources already existing, provide legal certainty for the attraction and consolidation of medium and long-term investments in our state through all types of film projects,” he concluded.