Local filmmakers worry about effects of Trump’s tariffs

Director, screenwriter and producer Glorimar Marrero Sánchez (Facebook via Glorimar Marrero Sánchez)

By THE STAR STAFF

Following President Donald Trump’s announcement to impose tariffs of up to 100% on foreign film productions, local professionals are already expressing concerns about how the move will affect the industry, which often relies on co-productions with other countries.

Director, screenwriter and producer Glorimar Marrero Sánchez said in a radio interview (Radio Isla) that the president is taking a “narrow” view with this new measure, which currently lacks a start date or details on its implementation.

“They’re trying to impose a tariff on an industry that has historically relied on co-productions. Film is a global business venture,” Marrero said. “Attempting to limit access has a domino effect; this measure could lead to more than just one consequence. Not only will it make foreign films more expensive, but it will also raise costs for audiences. Distributors or exhibitors may decide against bringing these titles to the market, considering this significant increase. This will restrict access to content and diminish our connection to other parts of the world, diverse stories, languages, and narratives.”

If implemented, the tariffs could create even greater challenges for Puerto Rican productions, independent artists and professionals, she added. Marrero, for example, had the opportunity to attend the Goya Awards gala in 2024 for the nomination of “La Pecera” (2023) for Best Ibero-American Film.

“In Puerto Rico, it would be devastating because co-productions enable us to create films here,” she said. “While we produce 100% Puerto Rican films, ‘La Pecera’, for instance, was a co-production with Spain.”

Marrero highlighted the importance of the Ibero-American market, where the films are in Spanish and involve collaboration with regional countries.

She also warned of potential retaliation from other countries, which could prevent U.S. productions from being shown in their markets.

Uncertainty remains regarding the impact on consumers and how the tariffs will be applied to exhibition projects, Marrero noted. It is unclear whether they will affect new releases, films on streaming platforms, or those screened at film festivals around the world.

“There is some ambiguity regarding how this will be enforced and what qualifies as a foreign film,” she said when asked about the specific stages at which the tariffs would apply. “Will it be based on percentage contributions or the allocation of points by creative directors, for example? This will limit independent filmmakers’ access to international financing mechanisms, which is crucial for promoting co-productions that open markets for us and allow us to explore additional distribution channels.”

Marrero pointed out that production costs begin with the development of an idea and continue until the project is ultimately presented. Therefore, concerns about the tariff increases focus on whether they will be applied to box office sales at theaters or to production companies that decide to film scenes outside the United States.

“This measure undermines the free expression of filmmaking because it jeopardizes the income and economic structures necessary for us to make films,” Marrero said. “It’s incredibly challenging for independent filmmakers to cover the entire cost of production in the United States, given that those costs can be prohibitively high and funding sources are scarce.”