In Mexico, a country boasting 950 commercial exhibition complexes and 7,383 active screens, only 4% of tickets sold correspond to national films, raising questions about the visibility and support for local cinema. To address this issue, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced two critical legislative initiatives aimed at enhancing the cultural sector: a new Federal Law on Cinema and Audiovisual, and a reform designed to protect voice actors amid the increasing role of artificial intelligence in the industry.

These proposed changes mark a significant shift in an industry that has undergone drastic transformations over the past three decades, evolving from celluloid to digital formats, and from traditional single-screen theaters to multiplexes. Previous regulations primarily catered to commercial interests, which did not sufficiently promote the visibility of local productions. The Secretary of Culture emphasized that the new proposals are designed to ensure that domestic films receive better representation and support in a market dominated by foreign offerings.

The implications of these legislative changes could be extensive, potentially redefining the landscape of Mexican cinema and ensuring that local productions not only have a fighting chance in theaters but also safeguard the jobs and creative rights of voice actors who are essential to the dubbing industry that has seen increasing competition from AI technologies. This move reflects a broader commitment by the Mexican government to revitalize national culture and cinema in the face of transnational challenges.