Sheinbaum and Salma Hayek to Announce New Incentives for Mexican Film Industry

Mexico City — President Claudia Sheinbaum announced she will unveil new economic incentives for film and television series production in Mexico during a public event this Sunday featuring actress and producer Salma Hayek.

Sheinbaum revealed the plans during her daily morning press conference on February 13, stating the incentives aim to boost domestic production and promote Mexico internationally.

“On Sunday we’ll announce incentives for series and film production in our country, which will also help promote Mexico worldwide,” Sheinbaum said.

The president credited Hayek with personally advocating for the initiative after they met in Veracruz, where Hayek emphasized the need for production incentives.

“Salma is an international Mexican figure,” Sheinbaum noted. “She insisted strongly on having incentives for film productions.”

Sheinbaum praised Hayek’s artistic career, particularly highlighting the global impact of the 2002 film “Frida,” which starred Hayek as the iconic painter.

“Frida Kahlo is a symbol worldwide today, and that’s largely due to the film she made about Frida,” Sheinbaum said. “Without that film, Frida might not have become the icon she represents globally.”

The upcoming announcement will address budget allocations for independent productions, tax reduction incentives, and international promotion of Mexican projects. Sheinbaum confirmed a commission will select which projects receive the benefits, though she provided no specific details about funding amounts or selection criteria.

The announcement comes amid reports that Hayek is producing another film in Veracruz, which Sheinbaum confirmed during the press conference.

“She’s making another film in Veracruz that also appears to be very good, set in the landscapes of Veracruz, which is an extraordinary state,” Sheinbaum said.