Key data
| Regulation | Order CLT/1155/2026, of 27 October |
|---|---|
| Publication | 2 November 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified in the regulation |
| Affected parties | Filmmakers, audiovisual artists and experimental cinema and non-fiction collectives |
| Category | Grants and Subsidies |
| Number of grants | 2 grants per annual call |
| Regime | Competitive procedure — European de minimis regime |
| Managing body | Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía |
The Ministry of Culture has published the regulatory bases for the «Joaquim Jordà Artistic Residencies» through Order CLT/1155/2026. The regulation does not create the program from scratch, but rather provides legal certainty and flexibility to an existing call, adapting it to the singularities of the experimental audiovisual field.
The objective is clear: to offer filmmakers and collectives a stable framework for developing experimental cinema projects with international reach, articulated in three concrete stages and with guaranteed access to European co-production networks.
What does this regulation establish?
Order CLT/1155/2026 regulates the bases of an annual call for two grants under competitive procedure. The program is structured in three differentiated stages:
| Stage | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Writing and project development | Madrid (Reina Sofía Museum) |
| 2 | Project presentation at FIDLab | Marseille (France) |
| 3 | Participation in Doclisboa | Lisbon (Portugal) |
Beneficiaries can be natural persons, associations or collectives that develop author cinema, essay film or non-fiction projects. It is not limited to professionals with established careers: the residency format is also designed for projects in development phase.
A differentiating element is that selected projects automatically access evaluation by the FIDLab jury, the project laboratory of the Marseille International Film Festival, and international co-production networks. This turns the residency into a lever for visibility and international financing, not just a local production grant.
The regulation is subject to the European de minimis regime, which means that the grants received count within the maximum limit of de minimis aid that the same beneficiary can accumulate in a period of three fiscal years. No specific grant amount is specified in the published regulatory bases.
Economic and operational impact
By being subject to the EU de minimis regime, beneficiaries must bear in mind that these grants are added to the total amount of de minimis aid received in the last three fiscal years. The general limit of the European de minimis regime is €300,000 in three years (according to the current EU Regulation), so for most independent filmmakers and collectives this ceiling does not represent a practical restriction.
From an operational perspective, the program involves travel and stays in three cities (Madrid, Marseille and Lisbon). The regulatory bases must specify in each annual call whether travel and accommodation expenses are covered by the grant or are the responsibility of the beneficiary, information that is not specified in the published bases.
The main value is not only economic: automatic access to the FIDLab jury and international co-production networks can open doors to European financing and co-productions that multiply the initial project budget.
Who does it affect?
- Individual filmmakers developing author cinema or essay film projects
- Audiovisual artists with projects in the field of experimental non-fiction
- Associations and collectives of audiovisual creators with projects in development phase
- Independent production companies linked to experimental cinema or non-fiction projects
- Audiovisual sector professionals interested in accessing international co-production networks (FIDLab, Doclisboa)
The regulation does not establish nationality or residence restrictions in the published regulatory bases, although annual calls may specify additional requirements.
Practical example
An independent filmmaker with an essay film project in script phase submits their application to the «Joaquim Jordà Artistic Residencies». If selected as one of the two annual beneficiaries, the process would be as follows:
- Stage 1 — Madrid: Develops and writes the project at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, with access to the museum's resources and environment.
- Stage 2 — Marseille: Presents the project at FIDLab, where the international jury automatically evaluates it. This gives them visibility before co-producers and European funds present at the festival.
- Stage 3 — Lisbon: Participates in Doclisboa, one of the leading festivals for documentary and experimental cinema in Europe, with access to its co-production network.
The result: a project that starts from a writing phase in Madrid can end up with international co-production contacts and evaluation by a leading jury in the European experimental cinema circuit, all within the same program.
What should interested parties do now?
- Consult the specific annual call: The regulatory bases published in Order CLT/1155/2026 are the general framework. Deadlines, amounts and specific requirements will be set in each annual call published by the Reina Sofía Museum.
- Verify the de minimis regime: If you have received other public grants in the last three fiscal years, check that you do not exceed the accumulated limit of the European de minimis regime before applying.
- Prepare the project in advance: The program values author cinema, essay film or non-fiction projects. Having the project documented and in advanced development phase improves the chances in competitive procedure.
- Follow the Reina Sofía Museum publications: Annual calls will be published through the museum and the BOE. Set up alerts so you don't miss the submission deadline.
- Assess the international impact: Beyond the economic grant, evaluate the strategic value of access to the FIDLab in Marseille and Doclisboa in Lisbon as levers for co-production and international visibility for your project.
Frequently asked questions
How many grants are announced each year in the Joaquim Jordà Artistic Residencies?
2 annual grants are announced under competitive procedure, managed by the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. Selection is made from all projects submitted in each call.
Who can apply for the Joaquim Jordà Artistic Residencies?
Natural persons, associations or collectives that develop author cinema, essay film or non-fiction projects can apply. The regulatory bases do not establish a minimum professional track record requirement, although each annual call may specify additional requirements.
What stages does the residency program include and where are they held?
The program is articulated in three stages: project writing in Madrid (Reina Sofía Museum), presentation at FIDLab in Marseille (France) and participation in Doclisboa in Lisbon (Portugal). Selected beneficiaries automatically access evaluation by the FIDLab jury and international co-production networks.
What is the de minimis regime and how does it affect these grants?
The European de minimis regime establishes a maximum limit of public aid that the same beneficiary can accumulate in three consecutive fiscal years. Grants from the Joaquim Jordà Residencies count within that limit. For most independent filmmakers and collectives, this ceiling does not represent a practical restriction, but it is advisable to verify it if other recent public grants have been received.
When are the annual calls for the Joaquim Jordà Residencies published?
Order CLT/1155/2026 establishes the general regulatory bases, but does not set a specific call date. Each year the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía will publish the specific call with deadlines, amounts and requirements. It is recommended to follow the museum's publications and BOE alerts.
Official source
View complete regulation at official source
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-22992
