The Government of PP and Vox in Castilla y León says that a committee of officials will evaluate the ideological transcendence of the films and charge against the Seminci

The regional government of Castile and Leon, led by a coalition of the People’s Party and Vox, announced plans for a committee of civil servants to evaluate the ideological significance of film projects seeking public funding. Culture Minister Alberto Diaz Pico stated that this new valuation commission will assess proposals to ensure only works with sufficient quality receive subsidies. Speaking after a plenary session on Wednesday, Diaz Pico questioned whether public employees were themselves ideologically biased, asserting confidence in their professionalism. He argued that common sense should define what constitutes ideologized cinema, insisting that public money must generate culture for everyone rather than financing political propaganda. Diaz Pico refused to specify which films might fall under the category of ideological indoctrination. When asked about the recent film La Bola Negra, he noted he had not seen it and therefore could not offer an opinion. He mentioned seeing Resident Evil with his son recently and pointed out that some high-grossing films received no public aid, while others that failed at the box office did. The minister defended his focus on production excellence, arguing that potential revenue correlates with quality and that citizens choose movies based on merit, not politicians or media. He claimed his criteria respond to social demand and institutional neutrality, criticizing the national Ministry of Culture for imposing ideological biases on creators. Regarding a legal challenge announced by the national Ministry of Culture, Diaz Pico said the regional administration had not yet received official communication. He expressed familiarity with the central government using the judiciary when convenient and suggested the ministry might lose power before filing suit. The minister, who served as coordinator for cultural policy services between 2013 and 2022, maintained that the region supports creative freedom free from external ideological constraints. Criticism has emerged regarding the San Sebastian International Film Festival, known locally as Seminci. Diaz Pico stated the festival needs improvement in ideological neutrality, noting that historical themes related to Spain’s global presence are often absent. He described the current programming as heavily ideologized. However, he confirmed that regional aid for the festival is not currently under evaluation and no changes are planned in the upcoming budget debate at the Castile and Leon parliament. This stance aligns with previous comments by former deputy president Juan Garcia Gallardo, who in 2024 called the festival essential but urged local authorities to address its direction. Opposition leader Oscar Puente accused the regional government of acting like a dictatorship by blocking film aid involving ideological indoctrination. The dispute highlights tensions over how public funds are allocated to cultural sectors within the autonomous community. Diaz Pico emphasized that public resources should not support positions that interest no one and serve only as political advertising. He reiterated that the goal is to fund productions that resonate with audiences through quality rather than political messaging. The regional council expects to finalize the composition of the expert committee soon, though specific guidelines for the ideological assessment remain undefined. The national ministry’s potential lawsuit adds a layer of legal uncertainty to these administrative changes. For now, the regional government proceeds with its stated aim of filtering projects based on perceived professional and societal value.