Baja California, renowned for its cultural diversity and strategic location at the United States' southern border, is experiencing a boom in its film industry.

From Fox Studios Rosarito's peak to its current leadership in virtual production technologies, it has proven itself to be an innovative center where local talent, infrastructure, and strategic alliances have come together to make Baja California a global reference.

This development has not been an accident. Obstacles have been overcome, lessons from lost opportunities have been learned, and a path that balances tradition and modernity has been charted.

Through coordinated efforts between the government, businesses, and educational institutions, Baja California is building a comprehensive film ecosystem.

With the expertise of Gabriel Sebastián Reyes, CEO of iDigital Groups; Kurt Honold Morales, Secretary of Economy of Baja California; and Alma Delia Ábrego, Secretary of Culture of Baja California, we explore the state's cinematic history, challenges, and ambitious future.

Baja California in the Spotlight: Titanic & the State's International Filmmaking Boom

Baja California's relationship with film became significant in the 1990s when Fox Studios Rosarito became the epicenter of one of the film industry's most iconic productions: Titanic.

This blockbuster, directed by James Cameron, used the facility's specialized water tanks to recreate the sinking of this famous ship. This achievement positioned the region as a competitive destination in the film industry.

According to producer Gabriel Sebastián Reyes, the studio's facilities offered unique advantages regarding costs and technical quality. "The success of Titanic showed that Baja California could compete with any location in the world," he says.

From then on, Fox Studios started attracting international film productions while strengthening Baja California's role as a place of film excellence.

Tax Incentive Challenges: Lessons for the Industry

Despite this initial boost, Baja California faced significant challenges in the upcoming years: Mexico's lack of competitive tax incentives made it difficult to attract great international production.

Kurt Honold shares that, starting in 2006, a process that would change the region's cinema landscape began: acquiring Fox Studios Rosarito.

This location, known for being the set of Titanic, needed a new boost.

As such, Honold made it his mission to make these studios a reference for excellent film production companies.

One of this strategy's key milestones was the search for incentives to make Mexico a competitive destination for the entertainment industry. This strategy was developed to attract industry giants such as Disney.

Honold and key allies worked tirelessly with organizations such as ProMéxico and the Secretariat of Economy of Mexico. The goal was clear: to create a framework allowing Mexico to compete with established programs in countries such as England, France, and Australia.

Despite Mexico's enticing offer to the film industry, the lack of understanding regarding the economic impact led to bad decisions that, in turn, led to major productions such as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story to leave the country.

Secretary Kurt Honold recalls these experiences as valuable lessons. "It was a wake-up call for the need to educate the people who make decisions about cinema's economic impact," he says.

International studies have shown that every dollar invested in film production generates several benefits, from job creation to a boost in tourism.

Due to these challenges, Baja California has worked intensely to establish competitive tax incentives and position itself again as an attractive destination for large production companies.

Baja California: Unique Locations and Developing Talent

One of Baja California's main attractions from a cinematic point of view is its geographic wealth. From Ensenada's virgin beaches to the vibrant urban landscapes of Tijuana, the region offers an assortment of landscapes that adapt well to tell various stories.

Gabriel Reyes says that with several California-like landscapes, a more affordable economy, and a trained workforce, Baja California is an ideal alternative for international film productions.

"The light of the Pacific and the diversity of settings are unique. Here, you can film in deserts, coasts, mountains, and cities at a fraction of the cost of LA," the producer says.

Alma Delia Ábrego, the Secretary of Culture of Baja California, highlights the importance of local talent in this development.

"Many technicians and creatives who started in Fox Studios are now leading independent projects and working in international productions," she explains. Programs such as film workshops, festivals, and interinstitutional collaborations have strengthened local talent's skills, allowing them to compete in the global market.

Furthermore, the secretary mentioned that her role has always been to promote independent projects and strengthen creative industries.

"This includes film clubs, workshops, and aid for starting projects," Ábrego said.

Technological Innovation: Virtual Production

Digital technology breakthroughs have transformed the film industry, and Baja California has not been left behind.

Facilities dedicated to virtual production, such as the recently inaugurated LED screens at Centro de Artes de Tijuana (CEAR), have revolutionized movie production.

Virtual production replaces traditional "green screens" with hyper-realistic settings created through LED technology, allowing for greater efficiency and creativity when filming.

Recent film productions, such as iDigital Groups' collaboration with Black Bear Studios in the movie Train Dreams, have shown that Baja California can directly compete with Hollywood Studios.

Moreover, companies such as iDigital Groups have developed innovative, computer graphic-specialized platforms such as UnrealSims. These breakthroughs have placed the region at the forefront of the global film industry, positioning the state as a filming location and a center of technological innovation.

"We want Baja California to be a reference, not only in Mexico but the world," Reyes claims. "The ecosystems we are building encompass everything from pre-production to content export. This allows us to be pioneers in a highly competitive market."

Talent Formation: A Strategic Priority

Baja California's film industry's growth is only possible with a significant talent-formation investment.

Collaborating with local educational institutions such as UABC and CETYS and international universities such as NYU and San Diego University, the state has developed specialized programs in scriptwriting, virtual production, and artificial intelligence.

Kurt Honold stressed the importance of these efforts: "We are training a new generation of filmmakers and technicians that can work in Baja California and will be ready to compete anywhere in the world."

Government programs, many of which are subsidized, have expanded access to film education, allowing students and local professionals to educate themselves with state-of-the-art technology. These initiatives have created a strong ecosystem encompassing everything from academic training to production and content export.

Film Democratization: Access to Opportunities for Everyone

Opening the possibilities of film talent development is one of the fundamental pillars of Baja California's cultural strategy.

Through projects such as film clubs in marginalized communities, the state aims to bring cinema to those who have historically had less access to cultural activities.

Alam Delia Ábrego highlights the importance of these initiatives: "We want movies to be an educational and cultural tool that reaches everyone, from children to seniors."

Programs like La Matatena, focused on children's films and workshops for women filmmakers, reflect the state's commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

Moreover, festivals such as "Festival de Cine del Valle" in Ensenada combine movies, gastronomy, and enology in one single location, creating spaces where the community can enjoy a comprehensive cultural experience.

A Vision of the Future: Baja California on the Global Stage

The future of cinema in Baja, California, is ambitious and encouraging. Projects such as creating the film museum at CEAR and expanding virtual production facilities reflect the state's strategic vision.

This museum, still in the planning stages, aims to preserve the region's cinematic legacy while celebrating its evolution towards technological moviemaking.

Meanwhile, opening new studios in international markets such as Atlanta and Japan strengthens Baja California's global position. Gabriel Reyes states, "The goal is to establish Baja California as a leader in technological innovation and movie production."

Plus, the state government is working to establish strategic alliances that strengthen content export and technologies, ensuring that Baja California becomes a place to film movies and a center of cultural value creation and export.

A New Horizon for Mexican Cinema

Baja California is currently in a crucial moment in its film history. From the glory days of Titanic to its foray into virtual production, the region has proven resilient, visionary, and adaptable.

With unique locations, developing talent, technological innovation, and an inclusive vision, Baja California redefines what it means to make movies in Mexico.

Baja California's cinema is not only entertainment but an economic, cultural, and educational driving force.

While this border state continues to establish itself as the epicenter of the seventh art, the world is beginning to take notice. History has just begun, and Baja California has everything it needs to become a cinematic reference worldwide.

"We are in a crucial moment for cinema," Reyes says. "Baja California is not only a place to make films: it is a place that innovates, creates, and exports the cinema of the future."

Original article from Tomatazos