Unique Incentives Attract Filmmakers
Through the Commission of Filmings of the State of Jalisco (FILMA), the Mexican state seeks to establish itself as the hub for Mexican and Latin American cinema, according to its director, Alejandro Tavares. Jalisco is the only state with a Filming Law and Cash Rebate in Mexico, Tavares emphasized. This unique position allows the state to attract new audiovisual projects, fostering pride in their Filming Law.
FILMA Jalisco Supports All Sizes of Creators
Tavares explained that FILMA Jalisco has funds available for creators of all sizes, from large-scale productions to local, small, and medium projects, documentaries, animations, and audiovisual industry festivals.
Cinema Boosts Tourism
In 2024, the Cash Rebate amounted to 125 million pesos. However, for every peso invested by the state, seven pesos in economic and tourism ripple effects are generated for the entity, Tavares specified.
Michelle Fridman, Secretary of Tourism for Jalisco, mentioned to El Economista that the film industry significantly promotes tourism. The current state administration decided to incorporate the film commission into Secturjal, recognizing the potential for joint economic and industrial growth.
“Together, we can bring more economy and industry; each filming project generates an economic ripple effect in overnight stays. We are building more tourism and cinematic industries, and it’s crucial that we promote the industry positively through film,” Fridman emphasized.
According to Fridman, tourism contributes 9.2% to Jalisco’s state GDP while being the third-largest contributor to national tourism GDP, surpassing destinations like Quintana Roo.
Support for the Film Industry
Between 2014 and 2019, Jalisco saw 326 productions generating a 441.5 million pesos economic ripple, according to FILMA Jalisco. In 2020, there were 102 productions with a 363 million pesos ripple; in 2021, there was growth with 252 productions and nearly 483 million pesos ripple. In 2022, there were 203 productions and a 469 million pesos ripple.
In 2023, when the Cash Rebate began, the ripple effect reached 817 million pesos. In 2024, it grew to 948 million pesos. For 2025, FILMA Jalisco has received 200 applications.
Ariel Awards in Jalisco
As part of the strategy to support the film industry and create new tourism products related to cinema, Jalisco hosted the Ariel Awards ceremony for the third consecutive year, this time in Puerto Vallarta, the state’s primary tourist destination. For the first time, the ceremony took place in Puerto Vallarta.
The 67th edition of the Ariel Awards, organized by Secturjal and the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences (AMACC), gathered 156 nominees from 48 films competing in 25 categories for the award recognizing Mexico’s best cinema.
Over 600 attendees joined the ceremony, with an estimated minimum audience of 22 million people following the awards via television, as per Secturjal’s estimations.
Jalisco’s Film Industry Collaboration
“The event reinforces the public-private collaboration driving Jalisco’s cultural positioning, especially Puerto Vallarta, a destination chosen as a film location for 32 national and international productions since 1964,” Fridman Hirsch stated.
