ARCHIVED - Hollywood returns to Alicante: filming finally allowed to resume at the Ciudad de Luz
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
The Valencia Government once again has complete control of the 'City of Light' film studios in Alicante
It's all action once again at Alicante city's Ciudad de Luz which has been closed as a film studio for 10 years after Pinewood Studios in Britain complained to the European Commission that the subsidies from the regional government to help fund the 'City of Light' constituted unfair competition.
However, in excellent news for the city and province as a whole, the European Commission this week informed the Valencia Government that the sanction is no longer in effect and that it once again has full control of the studios, having "complied with the restrictions".
The restrictions were actually lifted in March this year, when Brussels ruled the complex could resume cinemagraphic activities from July 1, five years earlier than the original ruling. And on September 12, Valencia President, Ximo Puig received formal notification from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition that the case was closed.
"This brings to an end a nightmare that has lasted too long," said Puig on Tuesday, adding: "Fortunately we have been able to free ourselves from all the restrictions placed on Ciudad de la Luz and begin a period of optimism, lifting a burden that cost the Valencian society more than 400 million euros."
Puig, who on Monday September 19 plans to present the full potential of Ciudad de la Luz at the San Sebastian Film Festival, said that the film sets at the City of Light are "a useful instrument for generating employment, culture and future".
According to the Generalitat, more than 200 productions are set to be filmed at Ciudad de la Luz over the next five years, generating 850 million euros in the Valencia region. In addition to the financial benefits, the projects will provide around 4,900 permanent jobs and a further 22,000 service contracts.
The government plans to invest 2.4 million to "get the studios back into operation", "much smaller" than the returns expected.
"Over the next five years the reopening of the complex will result in at least 1.5 million overnight stays in the province of Alicante", a major boost to the hospitality sector, added Puig.
To be listed on the CAMPOSOL TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
To be listed on the CONDADO TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
Guidelines for submitting articles to Camposol Today
Hello, and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event.
Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia, providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area, which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia.
When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today, please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible:
Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com
Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc
Include all relevant points, including:
Who is the organisation running the event?
Where is it happening?
When?
How much does it cost?
Is it necessary to book beforehand, or can people just show up on the day?
…but try not to exceed 300 words
Also attach a photo to illustrate your article, no more than 100kb