After the Silence: Reforming Spain’s Audiovisual Workplace

After the Silence: Reforming Spain’s Audiovisual Workplace

The publication of the report After the Silence has marked a definitive turning point for the Spanish film and television industry, revealing that workplace safety is no longer a peripheral social issue but a central economic imperative. Produced by the Association of Women Filmmakers (CIMA) in April 2025, this comprehensive study has pulled back the curtain on a systemic crisis: 60% of women working in the audiovisual sector have experienced some form of sexual violence or harassment. While Spain has successfully positioned itself as a "European Hollywood," attracting record-breaking international investment and fostering a golden age of production, these findings suggest that the industry’s foundation is built on a precarious "culture of silence." For the Spain Audiovisual Hub to remain a sustainable global powerhouse, the transition from a model of rapid expansion to one of ethical integrity is now mandatory.

The Economic Paradox of the Spanish Cinematic Boom

Over the last five years, the Spanish audiovisual landscape has undergone a radical transformation. Fueled by the rise of streaming platforms and generous tax incentives, production volume has reached unprecedented heights. However, After the Silence highlights a sharp paradox: as the industry grows in financial value, the human cost of production is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. High turnover rates and the premature exit of skilled female professionals represent a significant loss of intellectual property and creative potential. When 60% of a demographic feels unsafe, the resulting brain drain acts as a hidden tax on the industry, increasing recruitment costs and stifling the diversity of perspective that makes Spanish content globally competitive.

Quantifying the Cost of Workplace Harassment

Economists analyzing the data from After the Silence argue that harassment creates tangible financial liabilities that go far beyond legal fees. In the high-pressure environment of film sets, a toxic culture leads to decreased productivity, higher absenteeism, and increased insurance premiums for production companies. Furthermore, in an era where environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria dictate international investment flows, a sector plagued by systemic safety failures risks losing its appeal to institutional investors. By failing to provide a safe environment, the industry is effectively devaluing its own assets. Reforming these structures is not just an act of social justice; it is a strategy to protect the long-term ROI of the €1.7 billion government investment in the sector.

The Role of CIMA and the Call for Transparency

The Association of Women Filmmakers, or

, has been instrumental in shifting the narrative from individual grievances to structural reform. Their report, After the Silence, provides the first large-scale empirical evidence of the scope of the problem in Spain. By moving beyond anecdotes and providing hard data, CIMA has forced industry leaders and policymakers to acknowledge that the current "high-growth" model is unsustainable. Transparency is the first step toward mitigation. The report calls for the establishment of independent reporting channels and the public disclosure of safety audits, ensuring that production houses are held accountable not just for their box office performance, but for the welfare of their workforce.

Integrating Safety into the Audiovisual Hub Plan

In response to the growing pressure from advocacy groups and the findings of After the Silence, the Spanish government has begun integrating workplace safety into the core of its economic strategy. The second phase of the €1.7 billion

now includes specific provisions that link public funding to gender equality and mandatory safety protocols. This shift recognizes that the "Spain brand" is at risk if the country becomes known for lax labor standards. By making safety a prerequisite for subsidies, the government is using economic levers to force a cultural shift that has been decades in the making.

Transitioning from High-Growth to High-Safety Models

For Spain to maintain its status as a global leader in content creation, experts suggest the industry must adopt what is being termed a "high-safety" model. As After the Silence suggests, this involves more than just a code of conduct; it requires a complete overhaul of the production value chain. This includes the mandatory presence of intimacy coordinators on sets, specialized training for department heads, and the empowerment of labor inspectors to conduct unannounced site visits. Moving into 2026, the ability to guarantee a professional, harassment-free environment is being marketed as a competitive advantage, attracting top-tier global talent who are increasingly selective about the environments in which they work.

Legal Liabilities and the Shifting Responsibility of Producers

The legal landscape in Spain is also evolving in the wake of After the Silence. Production companies are finding that "ignorance" of workplace conditions is no longer a viable legal defense. New interpretations of labor laws suggest that the lead production house on a project bears ultimate responsibility for the safety of all subcontractors and freelance staff. This shift is driving a surge in the adoption of "safety-first" project management software and the inclusion of strict ethical clauses in co-production agreements. Producers are beginning to realize that preventing harassment is significantly cheaper than settling a high-profile lawsuit or facing the reputational damage of a public scandal.

Global Comparisons and the International Image of Spain

While the findings of After the Silence are specific to Spain, they resonate with global movements like #MeToo and Time’s Up. However, Spain’s unique position as a central hub for both European and Latin American production means that its reforms will have an outsized impact on the Spanish-speaking world. If Spain successfully implements these reforms, it can serve as a blueprint for other emerging audiovisual markets. Conversely, if the industry continues to rely on a culture of silence, it risks being left behind as international standards for workplace ethics continue to tighten across the global creative economy.

Training and Education as Pillars of Reform

A significant portion of the recommendations found in After the Silence focuses on the role of education. Reforming the industry requires unlearning the hierarchical and often abusive power dynamics that have characterized film sets for generations. Mandatory training programs are being developed for film schools and professional workshops, focusing on consent, communication, and bystander intervention. By educating the next generation of creators before they enter the workforce, the industry aims to foster a "new normal" where professional boundaries are respected as a standard part of the creative process.

Why Reforming After the Silence is Non-Negotiable

As the industry looks toward the horizon of 2026, the message from the After the Silence report remains clear: the future of Spanish cinema depends as much on its ethical standards as it does on its artistic brilliance. The economic imperative is undeniable; the industry cannot afford the loss of talent, the legal risks, or the reputational damage associated with systemic harassment. By embracing comprehensive reform, Spain has the opportunity to lead the world not only in content production but in the creation of a sustainable, equitable, and safe workplace for all creators. The era of silence is over; the era of accountability has begun.