Ignasi Camós, director of the Instituto de la Cinematografía y las Artes Audiovisuales (ICAA), has died at the age of 56 after months of medical exit due to cancer, the Spanish Ministry of Culture confirmed in an official statement.
The Ministry acknowledged Camós’s “great work and commitment” at the helm of the institute, noting his dedication to public service and the lasting impact of his leadership on individuals and institutions within the audiovisual sector.
Camós assumed leadership of the ICAA in June 2023, succeeding Beatriz Navas, whose tenure had earned her widespread respect among independent producers and filmmakers for her advocacy in sector negotiations.
Despite the challenge of following a widely admired predecessor, Camós gained the trust of the film community through his conciliatory approach, consistently prioritizing dialogue and accessibility, often answering calls directly to hear concerns from those he represented.
His tenure was defined by efforts to advance a long-stalled Film Law, a piece of legislation repeatedly demanded by industry stakeholders. Even though the draft law was presented twice to the Council of Ministers, it remained unapproved during his time in office, despite his work to build cross-party consensus for its passage.
Under his direction, the ICAA continued to implement public policies that contributed to a notable period for Spanish cinema, including the selection of three Spanish films in the Official Competition at the Cannes Film Festival — a result Camós frequently cited as evidence of the value of state support in strengthening Spain’s cultural presence abroad.
Before joining the ICAA, Camós served as a parliamentary advisor in the Cabinet of Minister of Culture and Sport Miquel Iceta from 2021 to 2023, where he coordinated working groups for the development of the Artist’s Statute. Earlier in his career, he held positions in the Catalan government and worked as an advisor in the cabinets of Ministers Magdalena Valerio and Teresa Ribera, as well as in Spain’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels.
Described as a trusted figure within the PSOE, Camós brought his interpersonal and mediating skills to the ICAA during a period when increased European funding expanded the institute’s capacity to support the audiovisual sector.
