With the aim of strengthening one of the key elements in the value chain of the audiovisual sector, the Balearic Islands Institute of Cultural Industries (ICIB) published this Tuesday a new support scheme for cinema theatres and exhibition complexes. This commitment not only seeks to improve access to cinema and promote audience development, but also to encourage more diverse programming, with a greater presence of Catalan. All of this is made possible through funds distributed by the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA) among Spain’s autonomous communities, providing the archipelago with a total budget of up to €188,888.89.

Targeted at privately owned cinema theatres and complexes, and specifically aimed at independent operators, this grant will cover a wide range of expenses incurred in 2025. Eligible costs include not only rental or facility maintenance expenses, but also those related to the organisation of school, educational or social inclusion programmes. This broad scope also encompasses expenses associated with film screening rights, as well as the acquisition of signage to facilitate public access to cinema.

Furthermore, the amount allocated to each beneficiary will be determined based on two different parameters. Firstly, the call will assign base amounts to all approved applications, with allocations of €7,500 for operators with one or two screens; €9,000 for those managing between three and five screens; and €12,000 for complexes operating six or more screens. Once these base amounts have been covered, the remaining budget will be awarded as a supplementary allocation to beneficiaries who meet the scoring criteria set out in the call. This includes, for example, operators located in municipalities with fewer than 25,000 inhabitants, or those serving as venues for film festivals. In all cases, the aid may not exceed 80% of the recognised cost of the activity.

According to ICIB Managing Director Diana de la Cuadra, cinema theatres and exhibition complexes “are essential components for the healthy state of the Balearic audiovisual sector, not only as spaces connecting audiences with culture, but also due to the industrial dimension of their activity”. She further emphasised that the grant “will also have a positive impact on the cultural opportunities available to citizens, fostering a more diverse and therefore richer cinematic offering”.

Finally, it should be noted that the application period will remain open from 12 to 23 January 2026 (both inclusive). It is also worth highlighting that this scheme follows a non-competitive procedure, with grants awarded strictly in order of application. Consequently, funding will be granted to all applicants who meet the requirements set out in the guidelines, until the total budget allocated to the call has been exhausted.