• Mario Escobedo head of SEST is now President of the organism which wasn’t active since 2011.

The Baja California film industry, in 2019 generated an economic growth of 27 million dollars, the industry will be reactivated by the Government of Jaime Bonilla Valdez, said Mario Escobedo, head of the Secretariat of Sustainable Economy and Tourism (SEST).

This was stated by the state official, upon assuming the Presidency of the State Filming Advisory Council, a body that hasn´t been working since 2011, and that requires coordinated actions between the Government, the private sector and society.

"We are very happy to participate in this advisory council, because this gives us the opportunity to push forward, promote and detonate the benefits of our State, which right now is in the eyes of the world in tourism, and particularly in terms of film production," he said.

He said that the cinematographic and audiovisual industry of Baja California has had a great growth, since year after year productions have arrive in the state, thanks to the great variety of landscapes that it has, ranging from beaches to deserts.

"In 2019, 91 projects were registered in the state, generating an economic spillover of 27 million dollars, for the benefit of three thousand jobs, with a hotel occupancy of 19,200 rooms," he stressed.

The purpose of said council is to propose actions for regulatory improvement; promote the linkage and liaison between industry and sectors; help with the promotion and development of projects; as well as preparing an annual work program. This council is stipulated in article 14 of the Law for the Promotion, Foment and Development of the Industry, Film and Audiovisual of the State of Baja California.

Escobedo Carignan congratulated each of the council members for their dedication, contribution and efforts to promote Baja California as a unique destination in the world.

For his part, the newly appointed Secretary General Javier A. Espinoza Medina, specified that this committee will function as a filter that will evaluate projects, with the support of specialists and give the final verdict. This is how we will work in the film industry, but also in the production of audiovisuals, promotionals, soap operas and other genres.

The President of Baja Estudios, Kurt Honold Morales, congratulated Mario Escobedo for his new assignment, and encouraged those present to work together in a non-polluting creative industry and with great development opportunities for the entity.

Also attended the Secretary of Culture of the State, Pedro Ochoa Palacio; the Undersecretary of Tourism, Ivette Casillas Rivera; Antonio Carrillo Vilches, Rector of the University of the Californias; and the Vice President of the Northwest Hotel Association, Carlos Rosete. Additionally, by the Observatory Center for Cinematographic Studies, Enrique González Silva; from Baja California Hace Cine A.C, Alfredo Rosales Uribe; and representatives of the mayors of Tijuana, Ensenada and Tecate.