51-strong deluge of Spanish titles at Madrid de Cine

by Sergio Ríos Pérez

08/06/2009 - Over 130 buyers will gather in Madrid to sample the best of Spanish production at the 4th Madrid de Cine-Spanish Film Screenings (June 7-9).

Filmmaker and virtual president of the Spanish Film Academy, Álex de la Iglesia, is patron of the event, which is further proof of his growing involvement in the film industry.

The main aim of the initiative is to increase the international reputation of Spanish film, which is essential according to new ICAA director, Ignasi Guardans (watch the video interview). He pointed out that without this, "there is no amortisation of investment and the industry can’t develop". Moreover, he underlined the importance of cinema as “an image of Spain and one of its most important assets".

The 51 productions to be screened include current box office hits (Brain Drain [trailer], Sex, Party and Lies [trailer], Road to Santiago [trailer]); films presented in competition at festivals (Ander [trailer], The Frost, 25 Carat); other films as yet unreleased in theatres (El cónsul de Sódoma, The Friend Zone [trailer, film focus], Black Buenos Aires); and last season’s greatest successes (Camino [trailer], One Word from You [trailer], Just Walking [trailer]).

A new addition this year is the prize awarded by the FAPAE (Federation of Spanish Audiovisual Producers Associations) to the Spanish film with the greatest international impact, to be presented at the event’s closing ceremony on June 9.

Madrid de Cine-Spanish Film Screenings, whose budget stands at €540,000, is organised by the FAPAE, with backing from the ICEX, the Madrid region, the ICAA, Madrid City Council, Madrid’s Official Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Madrid Film Commission and EGEDA (Audiovisual Producers’ Rights Management Body).

(Translated from Spanish)