Ramiro Ruiz, Producer of Award-Winning “La Cocina,” Advocates for Eficine Reform
At the 67th Ariel Awards ceremony in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Ramiro Ruiz, the producer of the award-winning film “La Cocina,” shared his thoughts on reallocating public resources for Mexico’s cinematic industry. Ruiz, who won five Ariel awards this year, believes that the Mexican film industry should receive less production support and more backing for exhibition spaces.
Current State of Mexican Cinema
Currently, over 120 Mexican films are produced annually, with most receiving financial support through the Estímulo Fiscal para la Producción y Distribución Cinematográfica Nacional (Eficine). This, combined with foreign productions, makes it nearly impossible for the public to watch all these films.
- Ruiz emphasized that the sheer volume of films produced makes it challenging for audiences to consume Mexican cinema.
- He pointed out that, in the 67th Ariel edition, 95% of the 70 registered films received Eficine support and had to be screened at least two weeks before their registration deadline to compete.
Ruiz conducted a small survey among “La Cocina” crew members, asking how many of the produced films they had seen or heard of. On average, the response was 25.
Proposed Changes to Eficine
Ruiz suggested that Eficine should be more selective in the number of projects it supports annually, reducing the quantity to focus on quality and distribution.
He proposed that resources should be directed towards increasing exhibition spaces for Mexican films, such as cinematheques and cultural houses.
Concerns Over Budget Cuts
Giovanna Zacarías, nominated for Best Actress in “Pedro Páramo,” expressed her disappointment over a 16.1% budget reduction for the Secretariat of Culture in the Federal Budget for 2026.
“The ruling political party has decimated the cultural landscape of our country. The recent 16.1% cut is devastating, leaving us with almost nothing,” Zacarías lamented.
Historical Fluctuations in Film Industry Support
Humberto Busto, an actor and director with 25 years of experience including “Amores Perros,” discussed the historical ups and downs of financial support for Mexico’s cinematic industry, often tied to governmental matters.
Busto acknowledged the current challenges in launching projects due to reliance on these funds, but remained optimistic about the opportunities that technological advancements present for emerging filmmakers.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Ramiro Ruiz’s proposal for Eficine? Ruiz suggests that Eficine should be more selective in the number of projects it supports annually, focusing on quality and distribution rather than just production.
- Why is Giovanna Zacarías concerned about the budget cuts? Zacarías is worried that the 16.1% reduction in the Secretariat of Culture’s budget will severely impact Mexico’s cultural landscape.
- What challenges does Humberto Busto highlight in the Mexican film industry? Busto points out the historical fluctuations in financial support for the cinematic industry and the current difficulties in launching projects due to reliance on these funds.
