The animation industry adapts to current circumstances

This industry has demonstrated in this crisis a response capacity that, no matter how expected, has been less striking.

There is no doubt that one of the sectors of society that will be most affected by the pandemic COVID-19 What we are suffering from is the world of culture and entertainment.

Thus, for a still undetermined time, events such as music concerts, different sporting events or film shoots will have to adapt to new protocols and demands, currently being in a situation of almost paralysis and without a certain short-term horizon. . But within cultural production there is an industry that in this crisis has demonstrated a response capacity that, no matter how expected, has been less striking, and that is none other than the animation and visual effects sector.

Nicolas Matji, President of Diboos, a Federation that encompasses 80% of animation and visual effects production companies, highlights that “our sector, although it has obviously also been affected by the pandemic, has undoubtedly demonstrated strength and a great capacity to react and adapt to this new situation".

And the world of animation has significant added value at this time, since its adaptation to this new work situation based on teleworking has not posed any major inconvenience for an innovative and eminently digital industry, and it can be said that its production and performance has not suffered any decrease in quantity, nor of course in quality.

We must remember the relevance that the animation and visual effects industry has acquired in Spain, where, being only 4% of the total audiovisual companies, they generate 20% of employment in the sector, employing nearly 8,000 professionals (of which 35% is female employment) and continuously creating qualified jobs and young people in recent years according to data collected in the sector's White Paper. Likewise, it must be highlighted that in addition to its intrinsic production, it is an indispensable industry for a sector that is going to be increasingly important in this new situation, such as interactive and digital content.

If to this rapid adaptation to the current circumstances and its great international prestige (70% of the turnover of Spanish companies dedicated to animation comes from abroad) we add the recently approved new tax incentives in line with what is regulated in the countries around us and that will finally allow us to compete with them on equal terms, it could be assured that it is highly probable that this industry will be capable of attracting even greater volumes of foreign investment, as important as it is almost essential in this extremely complicated economic scenario. that we face.

Because unlike other areas of the cultural industry, the world of animation has to be valued not as a sector to be maintained, but as an industry that can be part of the solution given its capacity to generate wealth and stable employment. of quality and above all without it meaning a disbursement for the public coffers, an essential circumstance given the economic horizon that is presented to us.

But to do this, Diboos defends that it must be supported by the public authorities following the line marked by the announced tax incentives, providing it with necessary tools such as development aid and new formats, greater investment in animation by public television stations. , the simplification of bureaucratic procedures, establishing a minimum percentage of investment in animation content on the different television channels and digital platforms, as well as a special sensitivity towards animation in the next transposition of the European Audiovisual Directive. Because it is clear that this last aspect is essential and a great opportunity for Made in Spain animation to continue growing and go one step further, creating powerful global brands with a Spanish designation of origin.

“We trust that the government, television stations and platforms will be part of a constructive dialogue on these and other issues that will undoubtedly be beneficial for everyone,” Nicolas Matji was hopeful when asked about this topic.

“Very few cultural sectors (if any) offer such solid growth prospects as the animation and visual effects industry…”

From the Animation Federation they emphasize that few cultural sectors (if not any) offer such solid growth prospects as the animation and visual effects industry, where Spain has built a prestige and an international reputation with successes both in the visual effects such as in animation of the importance of Wonderpark, Klaus, Tadeo Jones, Buñuel in the Turtles' Labyrinth, The Mandalorian, Game of Thrones, Pocoyo, Virtual Hero, Momonsters, Cry Babies, etc. far above what would be expected given the weight and volume of our audiovisual industry.

Let's take advantage of having such a competitive and internationally recognized sector to provide it with the necessary weapons so that it can be a reference in creating jobs and helping the recovery of our audiovisual industry, because its success will be the success of all. , they conclude from Diboos.

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