Spain's Ministry of Culture has announced that 15 films from new directors have been selected to receive subsidies totalling Euros 2.5m in 2003.

The 15 projects, which have each been granted between Euros 60,000 and Euros 210,000, are unique in that they are all in the hands of new directors with experimental or documentary-style feature films.

Seven of the 15 will receive the maximum amount of Euros 210,000, including Pedro Perez Rosado's Esperare Por Ti (Que Llueva Cafe) and Zine 1's Frio Sol De Invierno.

Artimana Productions will receive Euros 150,000 for its feature, Sud-Express, while Luis Mamerto Lopez has been awarded Euros 60,000 to direct his documentary, Memorias De Un Peliculero: Eduardo Garcia Mamoto.

According to the ICAA, the audiovisual division of the Ministry of Culture that has handled the subsidies, the successful candidates were judged on both artistic flair and the clarity of their finance plans.