Mexico Pursues Major Studios

The Mexican national film institute has dissolved Conafilm – the National Film Commission – and created a new office for promoting Mexican films and developing addtional world-class studios.

A new division of the Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografia (Imcine) has been created to provide logistical aid to foreign and domestic producers and will manage a catalog of local film service providers and a photo bank of locations, provide consulting services and act as a liaison with local governments, according to Variety’s Michael O’Boyle.

The Mexican Film Union last year were unhappy with Conafilm’s management and apparently political pressure led to it's elimination.

Imcine is charged with developing the country’s infrastructure and creating new studio facilities within a few years. The country’s film industry relies on Estudios Churubusco Azteca in Mexico City – the only major facility in Mexico – for Hollywood-style productions such as William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet.