Madrid Pitches Itself as Global Production Hub
Madrid officials promoted the city as a leading European production center at San Sebastian, citing strong 2025 filming numbers and over €15 million in
Madrid is intensifying efforts to become a top European hub for audiovisual production. Raúl Torquemada, head of the Madrid Film Office, outlined the strategy at the San Sebastian Festival under the banner 'Something is Cooking in Madrid.'
He emphasized the city's diverse filming locations, from the historic center and Gran Vía to neighborhoods like Lavapiés and Malasaña. The wider region offers rural and natural settings. "Madrid is a city for telling great stories," Torquemada declared.
Production and Economic Impact
Production activity in Madrid remained robust in 2025. According to the Madrid Film Office, over 1,025 medium- and large-scale projects filmed in the city with permits. The breakdown of major projects is as follows:
| Project Type | Number Filmed in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Feature Films | 71 |
| Series | 52 |
| Advertising Productions | 410+ |
The city council processed 11,001 filming applications. The film office provided 4,115 specific support services, a nearly 7% increase from 2024. A municipal network involving police, mobility services, and districts assists with logistics.
A study supported by the Autonomous University of Madrid found that films and series shot in the city between 2021 and 2024 generated over €1.5 billion in economic output. They also created approximately 10,100 jobs.
Funding and Development Support
Funding is a central part of the strategy. Since 2021, Madrid's audiovisual support programs have allocated more than €15 million to the sector. This includes €10 million for production and €5 million for promotion and distribution. The city has also introduced support for series development.
These initiatives aim to encourage international co-production and business. The Madrid Film Office supports events like the Platino Awards and Iberseries & Platino Industria. It organizes networking events to connect producers with partners.
The city invests in future talent through programs like the Film Academy’s Residency Programme and ECAM Forum. The goal is for Madrid to be a place where projects are developed, financed, and connected to global markets.
Iberseries Growth and Focus
Samuel Castro, co-director of Iberseries, said the event has become a reference point in six years. "We have become a place where Spanish and Portuguese-language content can find a springboard to global expansion," he stated. The event has expanded beyond its initial Ibero-American focus.
Last year's international focus was Korea, and this year continues with a major program dedicated to Korean content. Jesus Prieto, CFO of Iberseries, expects registered attendees to surpass last year's total of 2,700. He stressed the importance of participant quality, noting around half of the over 2,000 participants are from outside Spain. Many are expected from Mexico, this year's Focus Country.
Regional Government Commitment
Xiomara Garcia, general coordinator of the Madrid Film Region, highlighted the regional government's commitment. She noted the celebration of Spain's Oscar submission, 'La Bola Negra,' a Madrid production. Three audiovisual initiatives were recently put forward: support to attract younger cinema audiences, the creation of the Carlos Saura Cinema House, and a network of filming destinations across the Community of Madrid.
The 6th Iberseries & Platino Industria runs from September 29 to October 2 at Matadero Madrid.
