Open Call: Aids for Writing Feature Film Screenplays (Spain)

The Screenplay Development Grants support the creation of original and adapted fiction and documentary screenplays by individual writers and co-authors in Spain. The programme offers grants of €30,000 for fiction projects and €20,000 for documentary projects, with a total funding budget of €4 million to help writers develop high-quality screenplays.

Screenplay Development Grants for Fiction and Documentary Writers in Spain

The Screenplay Development Grants provide financial support to writers developing original or adapted fiction and documentary screenplays. The programme aims to strengthen screenplay development, encourage creative storytelling, and support professional screenwriters in transforming their ideas into high-quality scripts for film and documentary productions.

The funding is available to individual writers and co-authors who meet the programme’s eligibility requirements and submit projects that comply with the prescribed application guidelines.

About the Programme

The programme is designed to support the early development stage of screenplay creation by providing funding that enables writers to dedicate time and resources to script development.

Both fiction and documentary screenplay projects are eligible, including original works and adaptations. Applications are evaluated based on the quality of the proposed screenplay and compliance with the programme’s submission requirements.

Programme Focus Areas

The grants support projects related to:

Fiction screenplay development.
Documentary screenplay development.
Original screenplays.
Adapted screenplays.
Film script writing.
Documentary storytelling.
Screenwriting research.
Narrative development.
Script structure and treatment.
Professional screenplay creation.
Creative writing for cinema.
Independent screenplay projects.

Funding Details

Total Programme Budget: €4,000,000
Fiction Screenplay Grant: €30,000 per selected project.
Documentary Screenplay Grant: €20,000 per selected project.
Funding Purpose: Screenplay development.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

Individual natural persons.
Co-authors consisting of up to two natural persons.

Applicants must:

Have reached the legal age of majority by the application deadline.
Have legal residence in Spain when the grant is paid.
Be up to date with tax obligations.
Be compliant with Social Security obligations.
Have no outstanding subsidy repayment obligations.
Not have tax residence in a recognised tax haven.
Be eligible to receive public funding.
Not be subject to exclusion under Law 38/2003.
Not have received funding under the previous call unless the previous grant was formally renounced or voluntarily returned before the current application period.

For co-authored projects:

Both applicants must independently satisfy all eligibility requirements.
A signed co-authorship agreement must be submitted.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must prepare a project dossier that includes:

Explanatory statement.
Author’s statement of intent.
Project synopsis.
Screenplay sample.

For fiction projects:

Sequenced treatment.
One script-format scene or sequence.

For documentary projects:

Narrative or technical treatment.
Sequenced outline.

Submission Requirements

All written documentation must:

Follow the prescribed formatting requirements.
Remain anonymous.
Not reveal the identity of the applicant or author.
Exclude names, biographies, or identifying information.
Contain no images.
Include no visual references.
Exclude promotional or sales material.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in exclusion from the competition.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Confirm that all eligibility requirements are met.
Decide whether to apply individually or as co-authors.
Prepare the screenplay development project.
Compile the required dossier, including the statement of intent, synopsis, and screenplay sample.
Prepare the appropriate supporting materials depending on whether the project is fiction or documentary.
Ensure all documents comply with formatting and anonymity requirements.
Include the co-authorship agreement if applying jointly.
Submit the complete application before the deadline.

Why This Programme Matters

Strong screenplays form the foundation of successful films and documentaries. By supporting writers during the development stage, the programme encourages creative excellence, strengthens Spain’s audiovisual sector, and enables authors to dedicate time to producing well-developed, original, and culturally significant screenplays.

The grants also provide financial support that allows writers to refine ideas before production, increasing the quality and competitiveness of future audiovisual projects.

Application Tips

Applicants should:

Carefully follow all formatting instructions.
Remove every element that could identify the author.
Submit only the documentation requested.
Ensure fiction and documentary submissions contain the correct supporting materials.
Present a clear and compelling synopsis.
Demonstrate originality and strong storytelling.
Review the application thoroughly before submission to avoid technical disqualification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the Screenplay Development Grants?

They are grants that support the development of original and adapted fiction and documentary screenplays by writers in Spain.

How much funding is available?

Selected fiction projects receive €30,000, while documentary projects receive €20,000. The total programme budget is €4 million.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are adult natural persons with legal residence in Spain who meet all tax, Social Security, and public funding eligibility requirements. Co-authors of up to two people may also apply.

Can adapted screenplays be submitted?

Yes. The programme supports both original and adapted fiction and documentary screenplay projects.

What documents are required?

Applicants must submit an explanatory statement, statement of intent, project synopsis, screenplay sample, and the required treatment or outline depending on the project category.

Can applications include images or visual references?

No. Application documents must remain anonymous and must not include images, visual references, or promotional material.

What happens if anonymity or formatting rules are not followed?

Applications that fail to meet the anonymity or formatting requirements may be excluded from the funding competition.

Conclusion

The Screenplay Development Grants provide valuable financial support for writers developing fiction and documentary screenplays in Spain. With funding of up to €30,000 per fiction project and €20,000 per documentary project, the programme encourages original storytelling, strengthens screenplay development, and supports the continued growth of Spain’s audiovisual and film industries while promoting high standards of creativity and professionalism.