IMCINE announces shutdown of FilminLatino

Arturo Ripstein, Roberto Fiesco, and Julián Hernández

were the most seen Mexican filmmakers during the three years of Filmin Latino’s existence as part of the Mexican Cinematography Institute (IMCINE) .

Last night, the shutdown of the digital platform was made official through the Twitter account of María Novaro, new head of IMCINE .

Filmin Latino was aimed at facilitating viewers’ access to Mexican and international cinema online at a very low cost.

According to official numbers, the platform had a catalog of nearly two thousand titles with more than 75 thousand registered users . The website also had a free section of Mexican Cinema with around 200 short and long-feature films .

Subscriptions came with a cost of 69 pesos a month or 390 pesos for an entire year .

Its shutdown will take effect on January 1st and, according to Novaro, the decision was seen as necessary in order to promote Mexican cinema.

Off-the-record, Filmin Latino’s operation required an investment of 7 million pesos in order to function for the past three years , a figure that is three times lower than the average cost of a Mexican movie production.

Nonetheless, Mexican director Guillermo del Toro asked María Novaro to discuss the possibility of continuing the project . This morning, the filmmaker tweeted: “I think it is interesting as an instrument for distribution outside the country’s capitals. […] I would like to offer my help and support to change this decision. Many people who don’t have access to cinematheques and such have found a window to cinema through Filmin Latino .”

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