Madhya Pradesh and Spain Deepen Audiovisual Ties Through Strategic MoU Signed in Madrid

In a development that marks a meaningful step forward in international cultural diplomacy and economic cooperation, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, held a significant meeting with Mr. Juan Manuel Guimeráns Rubio, President of the Spain Film Commission, on July 17, 2025, in Madrid. The high-level dialogue culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in the audiovisual sector, reinforcing shared ambitions to promote cross-border film production, tourism, and creative industry engagement.

Held as part of Dr. Yadav’s broader investment-focused visit to Spain under the “Madhya Pradesh Global Dialogue 2025” initiative, the meeting underscored the state’s growing focus on positioning itself as a global filming and tourism destination. With its rich historical heritage, diverse natural landscapes, and proactive film policy, Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a compelling location for international filmmakers. The MoU signed in Madrid is now poised to accelerate that momentum through structured collaboration with Spain’s established film industry framework.

Dr. Mohan Yadav, in his capacity as Chief Minister, led the Madhya Pradesh delegation and presented the state’s evolving infrastructure, incentives, and capabilities to support international film production. He extended a formal invitation to Spanish filmmakers and production houses to explore the cinematic potential of Madhya Pradesh, highlighting locations ranging from dense jungles and forts to serene ghats and urban backdrops. As a gesture of goodwill and cultural warmth, Dr. Yadav presented a symbolic token of honour to Mr. Guimeráns Rubio, signifying the spirit of mutual respect and long-term partnership.

Mr. Juan Manuel Guimeráns Rubio, a widely respected voice in European film and tourism policy, praised the substance and outcomes of the meeting. He described the engagement as both “fantastic” and “profitable,” and expressed admiration for the multifaceted tourism and cultural appeal of Madhya Pradesh.

“This was a fantastic meeting. He [Dr. Yadav] is a very interesting person himself. Moreover, he is representing a very interesting and not-so-well-known state for Spanish people yet. For me, it's been very interesting to know about what Madhya Pradesh highlights in tourism, the film industry and so on. It was a profitable meeting,” stated Mr. Guimeráns Rubio following the official discussions.

He further elaborated on the shared objectives of the signed agreement, stating:

“The main goal of the Spanish Film Commission is to promote film as an industry and also film as a tourism driver. Those are the main goals of the MoU, and those are the main fields we are focusing on. First, to build more filmy relations between Madhya Pradesh and Spain and to make films shot in Madhya Pradesh or in Spain as a tourist driver for visitors from both countries… Madhya Pradesh is a very balanced tourism destination.”

The MoU commits both parties to enhanced cooperation in areas such as co-production, location scouting, post-production services, knowledge exchange, and professional training. In line with these objectives, the agreement envisions regular participation in each other’s film festivals, hosting of joint promotional events, and deeper institutional linkages between film schools and content creation hubs.

Spain, with its robust record of supporting international film projects through grants and streamlined permits, offered insights into best practices that Madhya Pradesh could adapt and implement. Mr. Guimeráns Rubio noted Spain’s ongoing efforts to position its film industry as both an economic engine and a cultural outreach tool, an approach that Madhya Pradesh intends to reflect through its state-level film policies and incentive structures.

The meeting also involved discussions on creating a potential “Madhya Pradesh Film Showcase” in Spain. This proposed initiative would offer Spanish producers and media companies curated exposure to the filming possibilities within the state. Such a showcase could include visual presentations, interactive sessions with local filmmakers, and familiarisation visits to iconic sites across Madhya Pradesh.

Beyond the creative and technical collaboration, both leaders acknowledged the crucial role that film and media play in driving tourism and shaping global perception. The use of cinema as a soft power tool—able to inspire cross-cultural understanding and promote economic opportunity—was a shared belief throughout the discussions. The MoU, in this regard, serves as both a diplomatic mechanism and an industry-level roadmap to realise this vision.

Dr. Yadav’s visit to Spain and the resulting agreement are embedded within a larger strategy to draw international partnerships across sectors like tourism, medical infrastructure, minerals, sports, textiles, IT services, and logistics. The audiovisual partnership with Spain aligns closely with this objective, unlocking the potential for foreign direct investment and job creation in Madhya Pradesh’s creative economy.

A particularly important aspect of the MoU is its emphasis on skill development. By fostering collaborative training programmes in screenwriting, editing, VFX, and direction, the agreement aims to strengthen the human capital pipeline on both sides. Exchanges between Spanish and Indian professionals are also expected to create valuable learning ecosystems and promote artistic innovation.

The bilateral nature of the agreement is especially relevant in the current global environment where countries are increasingly using cultural exchange as a bridge for deeper economic and diplomatic engagement. Through this partnership, Spain gains access to new narrative terrains and diverse filming backdrops, while Madhya Pradesh positions itself at the intersection of global cinema and policy-backed tourism.