Madrid, Spain – Spain’s vibrant capital has solidified its position as a global filmmaking hub, recently disclosing a record-breaking 71 feature film shoots for 2025, a significant increase from the previous high of 47 set in 2022. This surge in production activity underscores a concerted effort by the city to attract major international projects, including the latest film from legendary director Woody Allen, which is slated to feature Madrid prominently in its title and narrative.
The burgeoning success is largely attributed to the strategic initiatives spearheaded by the Madrid Film Office, an audiovisual arm of Madrid’s City Council. Raúl Torquemada, the office’s director, is at the forefront of these efforts, working tirelessly with local and global production companies to facilitate filming across the city’s diverse landscapes. Beyond feature films, Madrid also hosted an impressive 52 series and over 410 medium and large-scale commercials in 2025, demonstrating a broad appeal across all segments of the audiovisual industry.
Madrid’s Magnetic Appeal and Financial Backing
Madrid’s ascendancy as a premier production destination is not accidental. Its appeal is rooted in a compelling blend of factors: a wealth of creative and technical talent, a robust ecosystem of experienced production companies, an array of visually stunning and diverse locations, and exceptional international connectivity. These qualitative advantages are amplified by substantial financial incentives, positioning Madrid as an attractive option for both large-scale blockbusters and independent productions.
The Spanish national tax incentives provide a significant draw, complemented by Madrid City Council’s direct grants for film production, promotion, and distribution. Between 2021 and March 2026, these municipal grants totaled nearly €15 million ($17 million), a testament to the city’s long-term commitment. Furthermore, new support programs for the development of series and miniseries were launched this year, signaling an expansion of the city’s investment strategy. The Madrid Film Office, operating under the City Council’s Tourism Area, plays a crucial role in providing practical assistance, connecting productions with local professionals, and streamlining the complex logistics of filming in an urban environment.
The Woody Allen Effect and Star-Studded Productions
The announcement that Woody Allen chose Madrid for his latest, still-untitled feature film highlights the city’s growing prestige. Filming for the contemporary comedy, a co-production by Wanda Visión, Gravier Productions Inc., and 3Six9 Studios, recently commenced, with Madrid serving as its primary setting and much of the shoot taking place in iconic city center locations. The project is not merely a transient shoot; a key condition of the city’s financial backing, which includes a €1.5 million ($1.7 million) institutional sponsorship from the City Council, is that "Madrid" will be part of the film’s title. Additionally, the agreement mandates that a significant percentage of exterior scenes must showcase the city, ensuring Madrid’s character becomes an integral part of the cinematic narrative, much like New York, Paris, or Rome have in Allen’s previous works. The regional government is also contributing to the production, further underscoring the collaborative support for this high-profile venture. The cast features international talents such as Alexi Wasser, Jemima Kirke, Peter Vives, Marton Csokas, and Jakob Oftebro.
Woody Allen’s decision adds to a growing list of acclaimed international and domestic productions that have recently chosen Madrid. Series buffs have seen the Spanish capital prominently featured in AMC’s The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, Netflix’s global phenomenon Money Heist and its spinoff Berlin. More recently, Apple TV+’s espionage series Safe Houses, starring Ana de Armas and Jennifer Connelly, and HBO’s grand historical production Carlota also utilized Madrid’s versatile backdrops. Upcoming and recently filmed series include Fox’s spy drama The Interrogator, Netflix’s Korean drama Love Affair, and Apple TV+’s sci-fi show Murderbot, along with new seasons of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon and Has Fallen.
On the feature film front, Madrid has hosted projects destined for global recognition. Florian Zeller’s Bunker, a French-Spanish co-production involving Madrid-based MOD Producciones, filmed scenes in the city and stars Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Stephen Graham, and Paul Dano. Other notable films include Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi’s La bola negra (The Black Ball), Pedro Almodóvar’s Bitter Christmas, Marc Webb’s Day Drinker, Renny Harlin’s The Beast with Samuel L. Jackson, and Diego Luna’s Ceniza en la boca. The domestic slate remains robust with new works from celebrated directors like Pedro Almodóvar, Los Javis, and Rodrigo Sorogoyen, alongside popular series such as Reina Roja and Anatomía de un instante. This diverse portfolio, encompassing Spanish projects, European and Ibero-American co-productions, and ambitious U.S. and U.K. ventures, illustrates the comprehensive capabilities of Madrid’s audiovisual ecosystem.
Beyond the Camera: A Substantial Economic Impact
The influx of film and television productions translates into significant economic benefits for Madrid. A recent study conducted in collaboration with the Universidad Autónoma of Madrid revealed that feature films and series shot in the city generated an estimated €1.54 billion ($1.75 billion) in economic output between 2021 and 2024. This economic activity supported more than 10,100 full-time-equivalent jobs, contributed €883.6 million ($1.0 billion) in gross value added, and generated €367.3 million ($418 million) in tax revenues.
These figures paint a clear picture of the industry’s substantial multiplier effect, benefiting a wide array of sectors across the city’s economy, including hospitality, transport, construction, and various professional services. The continuous generation and analysis of such quantitative data are central to Madrid’s strategic focus, enabling a clearer understanding of the audiovisual sector’s profound contribution to the city and the broader region.
Fostering Global Connections: Iberseries & Platino Industria
A cornerstone of Madrid’s strategy to bolster its international profile is its support for key industry events like Iberseries & Platino Industria. The recently concluded sixth edition of this influential gathering brought together Spanish- and Portuguese-language content creators and executives from Europe, Latin America, and the United States. The event positions Madrid not just as a location or a production center, but as a vital meeting point and bridge between these creative economies.
The fifth edition alone attracted over 2,700 accredited professionals from 50 countries, with half of them being international attendees, alongside more than 1,500 companies and over 180 buyers and commissioners from 30 nations. This annual convergence fosters invaluable opportunities for co-production, financing, and internationalization. The Madrid Film Office has consistently supported the event from its inception, recognizing its perfect alignment with the city’s broader strategy to be a hub where Ibero-American creators can connect with European producers, where Spanish companies find international partners, and where global platforms discover new talent, projects, and production capacity. This commitment extends to other initiatives such as the ECAM Forum, the Platino Awards, and the Film Academy Residencies, all contributing to the robust ecosystem Madrid is actively building.
The Unseen Advantage: Confidence and a Complete Ecosystem
Beyond the obvious attractions of beautiful locations, renowned cuisine, and skilled crews, Raúl Torquemada points to an often-overlooked factor: the confidence Madrid instills in producers. The city provides a comprehensive support system that includes not only talent and infrastructure but also essential connections, accommodation, and specialized services necessary for organizing complex productions. This makes Madrid a practical and efficient base, not just for projects filming within its borders but also for those extending across Spain. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon serves as a prime example of a production that leveraged Madrid as a strategic operational hub for wider regional filming.
This confidence is further reinforced by a mature industry, a solid ecosystem encompassing advanced VFX, animation, post-production, and virtual production facilities, and a city council unequivocally committed to supporting its growth. The Madrid Film Office acts as a crucial liaison, helping producers navigate challenges and connect with local expertise. These strong relationships transform individual shoots into sustained investment, high-skilled employment, and enduring opportunities for local talent.
Strategic Vision for Sustainable Growth
Madrid’s ambition extends beyond simply increasing the number of productions. The city is committed to ensuring that this growth generates lasting value. This involves a dual approach: continuing to attract international productions and co-productions while simultaneously strengthening local companies and nurturing domestic talent. In line with the decentralization strategy of the Madrid City Council’s Tourism Area, efforts are underway to distribute filming activity more broadly across Madrid’s 21 diverse districts. Areas such as Usera, Villaverde, Carabanchel, and Tetuán offer distinctive settings and fresh storytelling possibilities, effectively extending the economic and cultural benefits of filming to a wider array of neighborhoods.
A critical aspect of this strategy is fostering positive coexistence between productions, residents, and local businesses, guided by a comprehensive Best Practices Guide for Filming. Furthermore, the city is actively developing screen tourism, promoting Madrid’s rich audiovisual heritage, and creating pathways for emerging talent to connect with the established industry. Continuous data analysis will be vital in assessing the sector’s impact and refining future strategies. Ultimately, Madrid aims to cultivate an environment where productions consistently choose the capital, and where companies, professionals, and creators find compelling, enduring reasons to establish and grow their presence, solidifying Madrid’s reputation as a dynamic and welcoming global production powerhouse.
