Balearic cinemas face €189,732 Madrid funding block

Cinema funding worth €189,732 is at risk across the Balearic Islands after Madrid blocked money planned for this year’s grants. In Palma on 15 September, the regional government told cinema operators it had filed an administrative appeal against the decision. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaume Bauzá said the dispute was between institutions, not the cinemas receiving the aid.

Why Madrid has cut the allocation

The row centres on support for costs incurred by cinemas during 2025. The Institut d'Indústries Culturals de les Illes Balears (ICIB) published the call for applications on 30 December 2025, before the year ended, and awarded the grants on 26 March 2026.

Spain’s Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA) takes a different view. It says the grant decision itself should have been completed before 31 December 2025. Rather than demand repayment of money already spent in 2025, it has deducted €188,888 from the 2026 allocation as a carry-over amount.

The Balearic government says that leaves this year’s planned €189,732 cinema grant call blocked. At least four other autonomous communities face the same interpretation.

Balearics promise to step in if appeal fails

The government argues that the ICIB followed the law and the required administrative process. It says it will pursue negotiations and objections to protect the funding for cinemas across the islands.

If the ICAA rejects the appeal and the central government does not transfer the money, the Balearic government says it will cover the amount from its own funds. It will then consider further legal options.

Topics: Culture · Tourism · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com