THE Minister of Culture, Miguel Angel Vazquez, participated in the inauguration of the seventh edition of the Almeria Western Film Festival (AWFF), where he reaffirmed the commitment of the Junta de Andalucia regional council to local cinema.
The Ministries of Tourism, Sport and Culture will this year contribute more than €60,000 to the festival. During his speech, the Minister highlighted the increase in projects with the AWFF, as well his prediction that this year there will be a “fundamental role” for women in film and the western genre.
The official also recalled the close link that, for more than 60 years, has united Almería with cinema, which has become “a thriving industry that provides employment, dynamism and wealth.
“Almeria is a land of cinema and a land of wealth. And so is Andalucia, which is increasingly attractive as a shooting ground.”
He added that the Andalucian Film Commission have said that there are more than 1,300 filming locations in the region, which produce more than €118 million and provided jobs for 15,541 professionals in 2016.
Finally, Vazquez has assured the industry with a commitment from the Junta de Andalucia that it will produce a Cinema Law, enshrining protections for the industry. “We are very committed to the cinema, that engine of development, which fosters the talent and creativity of this land. We have an excellent professional team, we have a first-class industry and natural heritage of the first magnitude to attract shootings.”
