08/01/2009

The ICAA (Film and Audiovisual Arts Institute) – which is dependent on the Spanish Culture Ministry – began the new year by opening the 2009 funding competition for the amortisation of features, the production of debut, experimental and cultural films and the development of screenplays. Moreover, the organisation published a list of the beneficiaries of the 2008 extraordinary funding competition for the amortisation of works.

The first type of subsidy, for the amortisation of features, is usually by far the largest (in 2008 it represented 78.85% of the total). In 2009, €55m will be allocated for this area, which is considerably less than last year’s €56m.

Production companies whose films were released in 2007 are eligible to receive these subsidies, for an amount equivalent to 15% of overall takings and up to 33% of the producer’s investment. The maximum sum per film is €1m.

As for the other two forms of funding, the ICAA has earmarked €10m for the production of films by new directors, as well as experimental, cultural and artistic works, documentaries and pilot animated series. In addition, €600,000 has been set aside for the development of feature film screenplays. In both cases, the amount of funding is the same as for 2008.

Finally, before the close of 2008, the ICAA announced the beneficiaries of the €4.6m in exceptional amortisation funding, which was granted to 11 films. These include Pan’s Labyrinth [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] (€1m), Go Away from Me (€745,331), The Distance [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (€742,220) and The Maiden’s Conspiracy (€653,486).

(Translated from Spanish)