U.S. HISPANIC
Secuoya: If Mexico and Spain work together, we can talk to the Hollywood industry one to one
Maribel Ramos-Weiner| 1 de noviembre de 2023
Raúl Berdonés de Grupo Secuoya
Uniting the audiovisual production industries of Spain and Mexico is the quest in which Raúl Berdonés, Founder and President of Grupo Secuoya, ventured during his most recent visit to Mexico. There, he met with different production companies and spoke with government authorities, such as the ambassador of Spain in Mexico, to promote a broader meeting between both industries.
“If we reach alliances and believe it, if we can unite Spain and Mexico, with talents, industry and public institutions, that will allow us to speak face to face to the Hollywood industry,” said Berdonés, who explained that the Spanish language with its 600 million speakers in the world is a market evolving, so there is a great opportunity that must not be ignored.
He explained that in the last five years, the market has leaned towards accepting different accents, and even Spanish content subtitled into English is being welcomed in the US market, which was previously unthinkable. “We are beginning to have a powerful entrance capacity worldwide, and we have to take advantage of this,” said Berdonés.
He suggested a “silver bridge” so that talent, both Spanish and Mexican, could move from one country to another without so many requirements. Institutions can learn from each other to adjust processes and perfect good practices. The same applies to incentives and programs to promote the audiovisual sector. Berdonés explained that the latest data about return on investment in incentives for the Spanish government was five euros for every euro invested. “Governments must be aware of the enormous potential of this industry and the impact that its incentives – direct and indirect – can have.”
He noted that the experience of SGR (financial company for the audiovisual, cultural, digital content, gaming, leisure, entertainment, and sports sector in Spain), which helps finance audiovisual projects, can be replicated and has lessons that could be drawn from. “We would have to propose in Spain creating a window to help the Mexican sector in the area of reciprocal guarantees so they can access greater financing,” he said, adding that another initiative is a working group from the public and private administration to review capabilities and improve everything possible in the sector.
He said he would like to invite the Mexican and Spanish governments to meet to review how they have done it and what is being done”. Let them see the returns or just the opposite. I think we have to learn what has worked well in different territories. It is an obligation.”
Berdonés met with two production companies Perro Azul, owned by Alexis Fridman and Juan Uruchurtu, with whom they have a co-production agreement. “As announced, we have an agreement with Perro Azul to co-produce together, and now we are working on the development of two projects, soon to be announced.”
He mentioned that in 2024, they will make four films in Mexico adapting Secuoya’s IP, and they are already in talks with Mexican production companies.
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