The ICA is the Portuguese national public film agency. It succeeds to the Portuguese Film Institute, established in 1973.

The ICA is accountable to the member of the Government in charge of Culture, supports the political authorities in establishing the national film policy and its measures and is responsible for the implementation of those measures.

Its main tasks are:

• implementing the financial support programmes for film and audiovisual writing and development, production, distribution, film exhibition, international promotion, festivals, film literacy and film education;
• collecting data on film admissions and other statistics and research;
• participating in international bodies and organisations in the field of film policy and cooperation.

The ICA is financed by industry taxes, under the national film law.