Madrid has established itself as a key location for international film and television. Thanks to its infrastructure, diverse locations, and tax incentives, the city has hosted numerous successful co-productions. In this article, we explore the most notable recent projects and their impact on the industry.

Introduction to International Co-Productions in Madrid

Madrid is already a prime destination for international audiovisual production. Its combination of modern infrastructure, tax incentives, and diverse locations makes it a magnet for filmmakers worldwide. Every year, the city hosts numerous foreign productions, enhancing its reputation in the industry. In this context, international co-productions play a fundamental role, enabling collaboration between countries and strengthening the local industry.

Madrid: The Bridge Between Cultures in Audiovisual Production

Madrid Film Office, the audiovisual department of the City Council, reported last year the filming of 41 movies, 53 series, and more than 430 commercials in the city. Among them, at least 8 were international co-productions, reflecting Madrid’s growing appeal for global projects.

Benefits of Co-Producing in the Spanish Capital

Co-productions in Madrid offer multiple advantages:

• Access to a broad technical and artistic talent pool.
• Versatile natural and urban settings.
• Favourable tax framework with specific incentives for the audiovisual industry.

Additionally, Spain has co-production agreements with numerous countries, facilitating project financing and distribution. This synergy boosts Spanish cinema’s presence in the global market and strengthens Madrid’s relationship with major film powerhouses.

10 Most Outstanding Co-Productions Filmed in Madrid

1. A la cara

Award-winning filmmakers Javier Marco and Belén Sánchez-Arévalo reunite in this acclaimed short film starring Goya winner Manolo Solo.

Synopsis

Lina doesn’t mind being insulted. But if it happens, it better be to her face. People think it’s easy to hide behind social media, but perhaps someone will seek you out with the intention of demanding answers.

International Participation

Produced by Pecado Films, LaCima Producciones, Odessa Films, Langosta Films, Biograf Capital AIE, and À Punt (distributed by Sideral Cinema). Co-produced with Creative Europe Media, a European Union Program that finances projects of European scale to strengthen the competitiveness of the cultural sector.

Impact and Reception

Javier Marco’s A la cara highlights the hatred on social media with a significant critical impact, winning the 2021 Goya for Best Short Film.

2. Ciudad sin sueño

Guillermo García López presents the reality of a community facing drastic measures.

Synopsis

Ramón, a 13-year-old boy living in La Cañada Real, watches his world collapse when he receives an eviction notice at home and discovers that his best friend Said is leaving La Cañada for good. Amid fabrications about the future, Ramón grows increasingly distant from his family and his roots.

International Participation

Produced by Sintagma Films, Encanta Films, BTeam Prods, Les Valseurs, Filmin, RTVE, and Tournellovision (distributed by BTeam Pictures). Co-produced with France.

Impact and Reception

During its development, the film was selected for prestigious residencies and labs such as Berlinale, Torino Film Lab, and Cannes’ Cinéfondation, where it received awards and mentions. Additionally, it stood out at markets like the European Co-Production Market, Ventana CineMad, and Cannes’ Marché du Film.

3. Ídolos

Mat Whitecross, known for his musical documentaries, explores the world of dreams through family relationships this time.

Synopsis

Edu is a young and aggressive motorcycle racer whom no team trusts. Eli, the head of the Aspar Team in Moto2, offers him a chance on the condition that his father, Antonio Belardi, will train him. Edu hates his father for abandoning him, but he knows that only with him can he achieve his dream. Edu will undergo the strict training regimen demanded by Antonio, which includes putting aside love… until he meets Luna, a young artist who has just opened a tattoo parlor right beneath his apartment.

International Participation

Produced by 4 Cats Pictures, Warner Bros. Entertainment Spain, Mogambo Productions, Anangu Grup, Imperio Contraataca AIE, Warner Bros. Entertainment Italy, Greenboo Production, RTVE, and Max (distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Spain).

Impact and Reception

It has the collaboration of MotoGP™. It will be distributed exclusively in cinemas in Spain by Warner Bros. Pictures Spain.

4. La huella del mal

Manuel Ríos San Martín brings us closer to criminology with Atapuerca as the backdrop.

Synopsis

During a school visit to the Atapuerca archaeological excavation, a fourteen-year-old boy discovers that one of the human replicas imitating the burials of hominids from thousands of years ago is, in fact, the body of a dead girl. The young woman appears to have been placed with ritualistic symbolism, and all the clues point to a gruesome homicide similar to one that occurred six years earlier at another site in Asturias.

International Participation

The project is a production by La Charito Films with associated production by Nadcon. It involves the participation of RTVE, Netflix, ZDF, international sales by Film Factory, and distribution by Alfa Pictures, also with the collaboration of the Junta de Castilla y León.

Impact and Reception

An excellent adaptation of the 2019-published novel, delving into the realm of police thrillers with an intriguing and suspenseful proposal.

5. Sigue mi voz

Inés Pintor Sierra and Pablo Santidrián direct this intimate drama about resilience and the need to be heard.

Synopsis

After a health crisis, Klara does nothing but listen to her favorite radio show, Sigue Mi Voz. But one day, she wonders: is it possible to fall in love with someone you’ve heard on the radio, but never met? Can she really feel something for Kang, the radio show host?

International Participation

Produced by Zeta Cinema, Beta Fiction Spain, Sigue y No Pares AIE, and Wattpad Webtoon Studios (distributed by Beta Fiction Spain).

Impact and Reception

The audience eagerly awaits the premiere of this romantic drama, which has the power to rebuild you piece by piece while teaching a powerful life lesson: the importance of feeling good about yourself to be able to do everything you love again.

6. Hasta el fin del mundo

Mexican filmmaker Emiliano Castro Vizcarra takes us on an unexpected journey that can change the course of your life.

Synopsis

Manuel (Mauricio Ochmann) is an exemplary man with a successful job and is about to marry a wonderful woman. An unexpected phone call will change his destiny, as Manuel must travel and reunite with Esmeralda (Aislinn Derbez), the woman who marked his life.

International Participation

Produced by BTF Media (Francisco Cordero and Ricardo Coeto) and AF Films (Frank Ariza). Co-production with Mexico and the United States.

Impact and Reception

Hasta el Fin del Mundo marks a milestone in Emiliano Castro’s career. It also showcases how local talent can transcend borders and reach new heights. This film is destined to leave an indelible mark on the international film industry. With stunning landscapes and a deeply human narrative, it promises to captivate both critics and international audiences.

7. Tierra de nadie

Albert Pintó creates a story about drug dealers where friendship is one of the core values.

Synopsis

Three friends trapped in a powder keg that will test their friendship: Mateo ‘el Gallego,’ a civil guard; Juan ‘el Antxale,’ a fisherman turned drug dealer due to bad luck and unemployment; and Benito ‘el Yeye,’ a resigned and intelligent judicial depositary always caught between the law and crime.

International Participation

Produced by Esto También Pasará, Glow, En Tierra de Nadie Films AIE, and SDB Films, with the participation of Prime Video, RTVE, Canal Sur, Mogambo, and CREA SGR, in partnership with Film Factory, supported by the ICAA. Distributed by Sony Pictures. Co-production with Mexico.

Impact and Reception

It promises to be one of the films of the year. Upcoming release in cinemas on March 28, 2025, distributed by Sony Pictures.

8. ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ (Season 3)

We conclude the selection with the best co-produced series in Madrid. The iconic AMC series continues to expand the zombie universe with a new installment starring Norman Reedus.

Synopsis

Daryl continues his fight for survival in a devastated world, facing new threats and exploring unknown territories in search of allies.

International Participation

Filmed in various locations across Europe, produced by AMC, and globally distributed through Disney+ and Prime Video.

Impact and Reception

Each season maintains a high level of viewership and positive reviews, solidifying Daryl as one of the most beloved characters in the franchise.

9. Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue

BBC and MGM+ present this intriguing thriller with an ensemble structure and unexpected twists.

Synopsis

The story follows nine strangers who find themselves lost in a remote Mexican jungle after their plane crashes while traveling from Guatemala to the United States. One by one, the survivors are murdered, leaving the remaining passengers to solve the terrifying mystery before they too fall victim to the killer.

International Participation

British production. The series is produced by MGM Television, Sony Entertainment, and the BBC.

Impact and Reception

It promises to be a widely accepted series in the television suspense and mystery genre.

10. Isla Brava

ViX bets on suspense with this thriller set in a tropical paradise where nothing is as it seems.

Synopsis

A tourist island is shaken by the disappearance of Alfredo Suárez, a magnate who owns a resort. His wife Lucía is having a secret affair with Bruno, her husband’s brother. The keys to Alfredo’s disappearance and everything he was hiding lie in the past.

International Participation

Mexican production (Onza Entertainment) backed by Televisa Univision and ViX, with distribution in Latin America and Spain.

Impact and Reception

Its blend of mystery and visual aesthetics has generated great anticipation, making it one of the strongest releases of the year.

Keys to the Success of International Co-Productions in Madrid

Madrid has become a benchmark for the best international co-productions thanks to its combination of financial incentives, local talent, and top-level infrastructure. These features have attracted major international productions to the Spanish capital, establishing it as a prestigious audiovisual hub.

Support and Financing Policies

Institutional support for co-productions in Madrid is key to their success. Spain offers competitive tax incentives, with deductions of up to 30% for international shoots. Additionally, the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA) and programs like Creative Europe Media facilitate the financing and promotion of audiovisual collaborations between Spain and Latin America, as well as other global markets.

Infrastructure and Local Talent

Madrid boasts advanced recording studios, specialized post-production companies, and a network of highly qualified professionals. This combination ensures that international films shot in Madrid meet the highest quality standards. The versatility of its locations, from urban environments to natural landscapes, allows multiple settings to be recreated without leaving the city.

Impact of Co-Productions on Madrid’s Audiovisual Industry

Co-productions have transformed Madrid’s audiovisual industry, attracting investment, generating employment, and positioning Madrid as an international reference in film and television.

Economic Growth and Job Creation

The economic impact of co-productions in Madrid is significant. The arrival of major productions creates jobs in sectors such as hospitality, transportation, and technical services, while also boosting film tourism and strengthening the local industry.

Madrid’s International Projection as an Audiovisual Hub

Series co-produced in Madrid and high-profile productions have reinforced the city’s image as a top destination for film and television. Festivals like San Sebastián or the Madrid Film Festival also contribute to this global projection.

Future Prospects for International Co-Productions in Madrid

The future of co-productions in Madrid is promising. The city is filled with opportunities! However, there are also some challenges to solidify its position as a preferred destination for the film industry.

Emerging Trends and Opportunities

The rise of platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO has increased the demand for diverse content, positioning Madrid as a key epicentre for new cinematic co-productions. A growth in international productions in the Spanish capital is expected, especially in the series sector.

The recent creation of the Madrid Audiovisual Cluster is another major opportunity for filmmakers. Within it, industry professionals receive necessary support through networking, consulting, and relevant events.

Challenges and Considerations for Future Productions

Despite its success, the sector faces challenges such as the need to increase incentives for foreign productions in Madrid, reduce bureaucracy in filming permits, and ensure a balance between industry growth and urban conservation. Madrid will continue to adapt to maintain its appeal in the global market.

Would you like to turn your idea into an international co-production? It is possible if you have the right resources and support. Join the Madrid Cluster and embark on your path to audiovisual success!