The Spanish Audiovisual Agency is the ultimate recording tool for producers

Spain’s emergence as one of Europe’s most sought-after shooting locations was no coincidence or stroke of luck. The country has made a concerted effort to build its industry into the powerhouse it is today, attracting domestic and international manufacturers to the Iberian Peninsula.

One of the newest tools available to producers interested in working, setting up a business or filming in Spain is the Audiovisual Agency. Backed by the Spanish trade and investment organization ICEX-Invest, the Audiovisual Agency is an aggregation service for foreign and domestic producers looking for information on any part of the filmmaking process in Spain, wanting to set up a business in Spain, or looking are looking for help with networking in Spain. the country. The free service is open to any interested industry professional and promises a response within 48 hours.

For foreign companies, the Office has a team of advisors to help them understand how the Spanish industry functions and what benefits it offers to foreign producers. For local entities that already have experience shooting in Spain, the Office handles more specific requests and can act as an intermediary between local and foreign authorities.

Although the Agency’s offers are numerous, Elisa Garcia Grande, Executive Director of ICEX-Invest in Spain, says that one of the Agency’s greatest virtues is the specific nature of its services.

“One of the key values ​​of this service is that it provides tailor-made solutions to specific, real-world challenges,” she says. “It is this personal approach that makes our service truly invaluable. The value of this service has been directly demonstrated by almost a thousand companies, 50% of which are from other countries.

“Both in terms of the size and content of the requests and their origin, we have a real daily input into what the market in our country is looking for. And it is also through the application of these insights that we can evolve and become an even more indispensable tool for the people and companies we want to support,” she adds.

Common requests from Agency representatives include information on shooting locations, financial incentives and the best way to network in Spain, as foreign producers look to collaborate with the most suitable co-producers and service companies. Other frequently asked questions often relate to work visas, tax information and, increasingly, how to set up a permanent office in Spain.

“Since 2022, the office has provided direct support to both national and foreign companies,” said Garcia Grande. “In these first years we have learned that it is a much-needed tool to raise awareness of the benefits of the Spanish industry and that awareness is key. Both Spanish and foreign companies must be aware of the existence of the Office to fully benefit from it.”

By processing a thousand phone calls, emails and messages over two years, the Bureau has learned exactly what producers most want to know about the Spanish system.

“During these two years we have noticed that, in addition to financing, there is a great interest in working with Spanish companies, filming in Spain and, increasingly, establishing themselves in our country,” says Garcia Grande. “We will therefore continue to promote the Spanish Audiovisual Agency as an important point of contact. Our goal is to continue on this path and provide services to international companies interested in investing in our country, as well as to Spanish companies involved in international film shooting.”

Although the program is still in its infancy, the Bureau has already seen positive returns. The organization also answers many questions from returning parties, which indicates high user satisfaction.

“The Bureau’s impact has been significant in two key areas. First, it has managed to bring together all the ministries and government agencies involved in the audiovisual sector, creating a single point of coordination,” says Garcia Grande about the organization’s early impact.

“As a result, it has improved the international perception of the Spanish audiovisual industry, positioning it as a strategic sector for the country. Despite only being active for two years, the Agency has already supported a thousand companies and answered their questions, both for film shooting and for investment opportunities in Spain.”

As Spain continues to champion foreign and domestic shoots, producers are sure to make greater use of the Agency and its network of industry experts, boosting the country’s already robust screening industries.