The Instituto do Cinema e do Audiovisual, I. P. (ICA, I.P.) arose from the restructuring of the Instituto do Cinema, Audiovisual e Multimédia (ICAM), essentially to bring greater precision to the functioning of this Institute than before, and in a way which, in the approach of the cinematographic and audiovisual sector and in the support to the creation, production, exploitation and dissemination and other activities in the area of cinema, would take into account the new forms and opportunities of production and distribution or broadcasting of cinematographic works. The mission and general attributes defined for the ICA, I. P., mean that it unequivocally continues on from the public organisms which, on the bases established by Law no. 7/71, of 7 December, ensure the intervention of the State in the cinematography sector in Portugal.