Festival de Málaga puts the spotlight on ageism in cinema
The association ACCIÓN has organised a debate in which several directors analysed the difficulties of directing projects in their professional maturity
On Thursday 20 March, the Festival de Málaga hosted the round table discussion 'Getting older should not be penalised in film', organised by ACCIÓN, the film directors' association. The meeting brought to the table the challenges faced by filmmakers with established careers in bringing new projects to fruition.
Juan Antonio Vigar, Director of the Festival de Málaga, opened the meeting, stressing the importance of valuing professional career and maturity: "We must see experience as an asset”. Moderated by Javier Tolentino, the colloquium was attended by Fernando Colomo, Daniela Fejerman, Alfonso Albacete and Pilar Pérez Solano.
During the debate, Pilar Pérez Solano pointed out the difficulties faced by filmmakers with longer careers: "First-time directors have access to grants and support measures. However, filmmakers with established experience are encountering major impediments when it comes to securing funding”. She also claimed that "the diversity of ages in film directing enriches the audiovisual panorama and contributes to a more solid and representative society".
Fernando Colomo stressed the points system that governs film funding and the need to reformulate it: "We have to look for a system where there is no discrimination and where risk or failure is not punished so much".
Daniela Fejerman stressed the urgency of analysing the situation before the generation gap widens: "We must make proposals before the next generation arrives. A study on the presence of over 55s in the audiovisual sector is needed and should be cross-referenced with gender data”.
Alfonso Albacete highlighted the work of filmmakers who have continued to create despite their age, recalling figures such as Fernán Gómez, Ángela Molina, Berlanga, Almodóvar and Fernando Colomo himself, and highlighting their iconic works, "the work of many filmmakers who have not been stopped by age".
However, he regretted that the new generations are often unaware of classic references in the history of cinema: "I have met students, our future professionals, who do not know Bertolucci or Pilar Miró".
The debate has served to focus on the need to value talent and experience without age being an obstacle in the film industry.
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