Catalan president Salvador Illa held a series of meetings in Los Angeles with major players in the global entertainment industry. The focus was on the Catalunya Media City project—a future media hub in the Tres Chimeneas area, which regional authorities presented to the leadership of Disney, Lionsgate, and Infinity Ward, the creator of Call of Duty. Catalonia aims to attract new investments and secure its status as one of the key centers of the European media business.
During the visit, Illa emphasized that the region is ready to offer not only filming locations, but also infrastructure for housing creative centers. According to him, Catalunya Media City could become a platform for developing world-class projects, and government support along with tax incentives offer additional reasons for international companies to invest. The meeting with Infinity Ward’s management took place in Woodland Hill, where the prospects of expanding the studio’s presence in Barcelona were discussed. Notably, Infinity Ward already has a Digital Legends division in the Catalan capital.
At the Lionsgate office, Illa held talks with Television Group president Kevin Beggs and vice president of development Jocelyn Sabo. The company is known for such franchises as Los Juegos del Hambre, Saw, and Crepúsculo. In their presentation materials, the Catalan side emphasizes that Barcelona ranks among the top five startup ecosystems in the EU, and the media hub itself will bring together talent, infrastructure, and modern communications. At Disney, the President of Catalonia met with Eric Schrier and Kristen Finney, responsible for international strategy and television development. Following the talks, government representatives noted that all participants showed interest in the project, especially regarding the development of gaming and new content formats.
Catalan authorities openly state that the trip to California is part of a long-term strategy to attract investment and strengthen the region’s position in the global audiovisual services market. According to the government, the media sector already accounts for up to 3% of Catalonia’s GDP, and projects like Catalunya Media City are set to reinforce this trend. Presentations for American partners specifically highlight that Barcelona, Tossa de Mar, and Girona have already become venues for major international series, including Game of Thrones and The Crown, and that tax incentives for producers can reach up to 30%.
It is worth noting in context that Spanish regions are showing increasing interest in foreign investment and cooperation with global companies. For example, the authorities of Murcia recently called for an inspection of a Russian vessel near Cartagena over concerns regarding nuclear components, which also reflects a growing focus on international relations and security. More about this can be found in the article about Murcia’s demands to the Ministry of Defense regarding the Ursa Major vessel.
For reference: Infinity Ward is one of the leading video game developers, and Call of Duty is considered one of the most successful franchises in history, with over 500 million copies sold and revenues exceeding $30 billion. Lionsgate and Disney traditionally rank among the world’s largest media conglomerates. In recent years, Spain has actively developed tax incentives for foreign producers, and Barcelona is strengthening its position as a European hub for creative industries.