Argentina's Flourishing Film Industry

Argentina is known for the vibrancy and diversity of its artistic production. Brought up on a rich and varied cultural diet, the Argentinian people possess a high level of appreciation for the valuable contribution made by the country's cultural industries to their quality of life as well as to their national economy. These industries, such as in the audiovisual sector, have traditionally crossed global borders, in terms of both what they give to - and what they gain from - other countries of the world.

Recent years have witnessed significant growth in the size and technical capacity of Argentina's film, television and advertising industries. A new generation of talented young film directors is attracting international interest, as are the high standards of output by the country's authors, actors and producers. Argentinean films are winning critical acclaim at international festivals, and on cinema and television screens around the world.

Boosting export revenues

The country's 2004 economic indicators reflect this dynamism. Revenue from Argentina's exports in the film sector last year rose faster than in any other sector, with an increase of 1,000 percent over the 2003 figures. Some 70 new films were produced or co-produced nationally. Daniel Burman's El Abrazo Partido (Lost Embrace) won two prestigious Silver Bear awards -for Best Picture and for Best Actor - at the 2004 Berlin Festival. Crowds thronged to the annual international film festivals in Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata. Rights to Argentinean screenplays were bought by major Hollywood producers: Fabian Bielinksy's Nueve Reinas (Nine Queens) was recently remade by Hollywood as Criminal. Lucrecia Martel's 2004 Cannes Film Festival Competition entry, La Nina Santa (Holy Girl), opened in New York in May. Meanwhile, the sector's reputation for professionalism resulted in a steady demand from outside film companies seeking to engage local...