On August 21-24, Córdoba had its first Audiovisual Mission, organized by the Government of the Province of Córdoba through the Audiovisual Hub, the Córdoba Produce (“Córdoba Produces”) export group, the Federal Investment Council, the industry’s news platform Prensario Internacional and our Agency.
During the mission, different meetings were held between eight international leaders in the audiovisual industry, seven local producers that are part of the “Córdoba Produces” export group, and four producers from the Province of Mendoza, which participated in the event as a “Guest Region” and also in the organization through the Film Andes audiovisual cluster.
Córdoba’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Mining Roberto Avalle explained that, in the province, this activity is considered an industry, and as such, it has benefits similar to those of other manufacturing sectors. He said,
“The industrial trait is what guarantees the business identity that a company must have. Without ignoring cultural aspects, it must yield economic results. Otherwise, it is impossible to think about the creation of new jobs, or about reinvestments that will make a business grow. The internationalization of products is key and we are sure that we will see good results. Many film productions from Córdoba have been hugely successful in film festivals in Europe.”
Among the international media and production companies that visited Córdoba searching for local contents and co-production projects, were Sony Pictures Television (USA), TV Azteca (Mexico), Tondero (Peru), Rizoma Producciones (Chile) and TVZero (Brasil). In addition, participating pan-regional companies included FOX Networks Group Latin America and Viacom International Media Network (VIMN), apart from Telecom Argentina.
Argentine producers also participated in the event. Among them were El Calefón, Prisma Cine, Jaque Content, Tr3s Mares, Ideas por Rosca, Twins Latin Films and Feelm, from Córdoba; and Frontera Films, Palo Gol, Oeste Films and Vlexus, from Mendoza.
Jorge Álvarez, Coordinator of the Province’s Audiovisual Hub, explained,
“Currently, Córdoba is home to 12,370 students in audiovisual programs, which makes the province a huge ‘factory’ of professionals in the field. Apart from the variety of climates and landscapes, we have great human resources, who are highly trained in all the audiovisual areas, and specific equipment, rentals, and everything that is needed for post-production stages for both image and sound. All of this is supported by a state policy, which is why we can say that we have all the necessary ingredients to generate great audiovisual products, where our history, values and amazing creativity are present.”
He also added, “We are going to set up a provincial audiovisual animation center in Unquillo — which is one of a kind in the continent — where 11 animation companies will be working side by side to enrich animated productions. We will also have, in Villa María, a soundtrack production center (score and special effects) and a videogame center. All of this makes Córdoba an advanced hub in the field audiovisual production.”
This mission was part of a support program for the audiovisual industry, which receives technical, logistics and financial support from the Federal Investment Council and our Agency, both of whom seek to raise awareness of the Province’s and industry’s potential in the international market.
ProCórdoba’s General Manager Roberto Rossotto said,
“The Agency has supported the Córdoba Produces Group for many years now through its Export Groups Program. On this occasion, we have organized the inward mission with the financial support of the Federal Investment Council. The event allows for the participation of international networks and content producers.”
“One of the main objectives of the inward mission was to foster the development of the regional and federal audiovisual industries, through their production hubs, in order to attract investments and capitalize on the growth that has been achieved in the last few years. The goal is to position the Province of Córdoba as a referent in the country, as it faces the challenge of conquering foreign markets,” he finished.
Córdoba: An Audiovisual Hub
The audiovisual activity of Córdoba has become bigger and bigger since the passing, in October 2016, of Provincial Act 10381 on the Development and Promotion of the Audiovisual Industry. This act declared the audiovisual development in all stages of the process to be a transformative production activity, comparable to industrial activities as defined in the industrial promotion acts and National Act No. 26838, which allows the local sector to offer significant funding and tax benefits, as well as strategic support for the Audiovisual Hub, and to create a Film Commission.
Producers in the “Córdoba Produces Group” work collaboratively to expand the international market with the support of ProCórdoba’s Export Groups Program, Fundación ICBC, and the Argentine Investment and Trade Promotion Agency.
Since its inception, this group has participated in world markets such as MIPCOM, NAPTE, MIPTV, the European Film Market, the Rio Creative Conference, DocMontevideo and Ventana Sur, among others, offering a complete portfolio of services that encompasses the pre-production, production and post-production stages. Furthermore, its productions have won awards at the biggest international film festivals.
“The internationalization of products and services from Córdoba seeks to bring together national financing and international resources in order to create sustainable audiovisual productions. It is in this context that the mission acquires a huge relevance,” expressed María Eugenia Ferrer, Managing-Partner and Representative of the Córdoba Produces Group.
Film Andes President Marcelo Ortega, for his part, concluded,
“As a collaborative space and industry, we work in three main activities: training, generation of strategic information and smart insertion in the global market. Participating in this mission together with Córdoba gives us the chance to strengthen our strategic partnership and consolidate the international potential of our regional industry. We are still learning and we are very grateful for this amazing opportunity to show what our Province has to offer.”
