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What it is

Rules and aid for film and audiovisual works in Spain

BOE step 7 of 7 · Passed

It is a government bill. Introduced by the Government. It was introduced on 1 June 2007. Introduced by: Gobierno.

Official title: Government bill on Cinema.

Follow this law

Source: Congreso de los Diputados, file 121/000138· updated 11 Nov

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

  1. The law regulates film and audiovisual activity in Spain: it governs the production, distribution and screening of movies and sets measures to preserve the film heritage.
  2. A movie gets Spanish nationality if at least 75% of its authors, actors and technical staff are Spanish or from the EU, it is shot mainly in the original version in Spain's official languages, and filming and lab work take place in Spain or the EU.
  3. Movie theaters must show at least 25% of European Union films each year (the screen quota). Some sessions, such as subtitled original-version films or animation, count double.
  4. Recording movies in theaters is banned, including in venues with free admission. Theater managers must warn about the ban and report any recording attempt to the rights holders.
  5. The State grants aid for writing scripts, producing feature films and shorts, distributing and screening movies, preserving film heritage and taking part in festivals. In general this aid cannot exceed 50% of a film's cost.
  6. Breaking the screen quota is punished according to its severity: over 60% is very serious (fines up to €75,000), between 30% and 60% is serious, and below 30% is minor.

Who it affects

  • Film and audiovisual production companies: They must register, obtain the Spanish nationality certificate and meet requirements to receive aid.
  • Distributors and movie theaters: They must register, meet the screen quota and block recording inside theaters.
  • Screenwriters and new directors: They can apply for aid to write scripts and develop projects.
  • Moviegoers: Movies are rated by age groups and theaters must improve access for people with disabilities.
  • Autonomous Communities (Comunidades Autónomas): They have their own powers over ratings, registries and aid, and manage funds for film in co-official languages.

Words worth knowing

Cuota de pantalla (screen quota)
A rule requiring theaters to show a minimum percentage of European films each year.
Certificado de nacionalidad española (Spanish nationality certificate)
An official document proving a film is Spanish, which lets it access public aid.
Productor independiente (independent producer)
A production company not controlled by a TV broadcaster or by capital from outside the EU.
Película «X» (X-rated film)
A pornographic film or one glorifying violence; it can only be shown in special theaters for people over 18.
Filmoteca Española (Spanish Film Archive)
The public body that preserves and restores Spanish films and film heritage.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries

Where it stands

How far did it get?

It took 7 of 7 steps. It reached BOE, and today it is passed.

  1. Introduced1 June 2007Someone registers the text in the Congreso.
  2. Admitted5 June 2007The Bureau of the Congreso accepts it and, for a members’ bill, the plenary decides whether to consider it.
  3. Amendments8 June 2007Groups propose changes.
  4. Committee26 September 2007A committee goes through the text in detail.
  5. Plenary15 November 2007All 350 deputies vote.
  6. Senate22 November 2007The Senate can pass it, amend it or veto it.
  7. BOE20 December 2007It is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and comes into force.
See the 12 official steps on a timeline
Jun 2007Jul 2007Aug 2007Sept 2007Oct 2007Nov 200711. 1 June 2007: Presentación22. 5 June 2007: Comisión de Cultura Publicación desde 05/06/2007 hasta 08/06/200733. 5 June 2007: Calificación44. 8 June 2007: Comisión de Cultura Enmiendas desde 08/06/2007 hasta 17/10/200755. 26 September 2007: Comisión de Cultura Mesa - Calificación desde 26/09/2007 hasta 26/09/200766. 26 September 2007: Comisión de Cultura Debate de totalidad desde 26/09/2007 hasta 04/10/200777. 17 October 2007: Comisión de Cultura Informe desde 17/10/2007 hasta 24/10/200788. 24 October 2007: Comisión de Cultura Dictamen desde 24/10/2007 hasta 15/11/200799. 15 November 2007: Pleno Aprobación desde 15/11/2007 hasta 22/11/20071010. 22 November 2007: Senado desde 22/11/2007 hasta 10/12/20071111. 10 December 2007: Pleno Enmiendas o veto del Senado desde 10/12/2007 hasta 20/12/20071212. 20 December 2007: Concluido - (Aprobado con modificaciones) desde 20/12/2007 hasta 29/01/2008

Was there a plenary vote?

We have no plenary vote linked to this law in the Congreso’s data.

What happens next

What happens now?

It is law, or will be once published in the BOE. It comes into force on the date its own text sets.

Published in the BOE: Ley 55/2007, de 28 de diciembre, del Cine.

Sources

Where does all this come from?

  • The data comes from the open files of the Congreso, the Senate and the BOE, unaltered.
  • Each deputy’s province is the one of their seat on the day of the vote.
  • We only say “passed” or “rejected” when the majority needed is certain; otherwise we say which side had more votes.

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