MPAA Chief Chris Dodd to Attend Morelia Film Fest

Chris Dodd will make his first-ever appearance at the upcoming Morelia International Film Festival, one of Mexico’s most prestigious film showcases.

Dodd presented the Atlantic Council’s Global Citizen Award to Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto on Sunday night at a New York gala event, and in a recent statement the MPAA chairman applauded the boom in the Mexican film and television industries.

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“Today, this industry generates 42,000 direct and 12,000 indirect jobs — all working together to produce more than 100,000 hours of television content and 126 Mexican films last year,” he said.

Mexico last year ranked as the 10th largest international box-office market and its television content aired in more than 100 nations.

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Dodd praised the latest industry reforms in Mexico. For instance, Pena Nieto recently signed into law a reform for the telecom and broadcasting sectors. Yet, as The Washington Post reported, many people in Mexico do not agree with the reforms and the president’s popularity has reached an all-time low.

The Morelia International Film Festival runs from Oct. 17-26.