The Official Credit Institute (ICO) has launched ICO Audiovisual Growth, a new financing line initially endowed with more than 300 million euros aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises in the audiovisual, cultural, and entertainment sectors.
The program arrives at a key moment for the Spanish audiovisual industry, which seeks to consolidate its growth and competitiveness beyond 2026, as the execution of European funds linked to the Recovery Plan progresses. The initiative is presented as a tool for SMEs in the sector to access credit adapted to their production cycles, an aspect that has traditionally hindered their financing through conventional banking channels.
Loans adapted to production timelines
As explained by the ICO, the loans in this program will be adjusted to the actual production and commercialization timelines of audiovisual and cultural projects. This means that repayment periods will take into account the time each project needs to start generating revenue, which is common in the sector due to long filming, post-production, and distribution processes.
The program will generally finance operations between 50,000 euros and 2.5 million euros, a range designed to cover both specific needs and larger-scale projects within the sector's SME fabric.
Who can apply for the financing
ICO Audiovisual Growth is aimed at a wide range of companies linked to the creation and distribution of content. Recipients include:
- SMEs in film and audiovisual production.
- Animation, video game, and digital content companies.
- Distributors and marketers of audiovisual works.
- Technical and auxiliary service companies linked to production.
The program is not limited to the strictly audiovisual sphere. It also includes financing for projects related to music, performing arts, and other activities typical of the cultural and creative industries.
Likewise, the line includes the possibility of financing Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) specifically constituted to develop concrete cultural projects, always in accordance with their particular access conditions.
Collaboration with mutual guarantee societies
To deploy this program, the ICO has the collaboration of Crea SGR, the mutual guarantee society specialized in the cultural and audiovisual sector, in addition to the group of mutual guarantee societies (SGR) operating in Spain. Their role is to facilitate the arrival of financing to a greater number of companies, especially those SMEs that might find it more difficult to access credit on their own.
Application deadline and program framework
Interested companies can submit their applications until December 31, as indicated by the ICO.
ICO Audiovisual Growth is part of the Spain Grows initiative and continues the work started by the Recovery Plan through the Spain Audiovisual Hub. The stated objective is to leverage funds from the European Next Generation EU program to boost business growth and strengthen the competitiveness of the Spanish audiovisual sector, with an eye on the years following 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is ICO Audiovisual Growth?
It is a financing program from the Official Credit Institute initially endowed with more than 300 million euros, aimed at SMEs in the audiovisual, cultural, and entertainment sectors.
What amounts can be requested?
In general, the program finances operations between 50,000 euros and 2.5 million euros per project.
What type of companies can access this financing?
SMEs in film and audiovisual production, animation, video games, digital content, distributors, marketers, technical and auxiliary service companies, as well as music, performing arts, and other cultural and creative industry companies. Economic Interest Groups constituted for specific cultural projects can also access it.
Until when can applications be submitted?
The deadline to apply for financing ends on December 31.
Who collaborates with the ICO in this program?
Crea SGR, the mutual guarantee society specialized in the cultural and audiovisual sector, together with the group of mutual guarantee societies in Spain.
What framework is this program part of?
It is part of the Spain Grows initiative and continues the Recovery Plan through the Spain Audiovisual Hub, financed with funds from the European Next Generation EU program.
