INCENTIVES AROUND THE WORLD (Incentives and programs are subject to change)

INCENTIVES AROUND THE WORLD (Incentives and programs are subject to change)

The Best Countries in the World to Film Your Movie, Based on Production Incentives

This comprehensive guide to global production incentives asks: why not film in Fiji when you can recoup 50% of your production budget?

Filming a movie internationally has more benefits than merely exotic locale. In an effort to create jobs and stimulate local economies, many countries worldwide essentially pay productions to shoot within their borders. These production incentives vary significantly in structure and scope from country to country, but the end goal is universal: a symbiotic financial relationship between the country and foreign film productions. For a film with limited resources, shooting abroad could be just the ticket.

There are, of course, caveats to consider when comparing incentives. Each country stipulates a unique set of requirements, but the main issues to flag are the minimum amount of qualifying local expenditure (which can be high), local employment regulations, and whether or not the country requires the film to pass a cultural eligibility test.

International production incentives should not be confused with co-productions, which are multi-country productions that operate based on government treaties.

Here are the most common forms of incentives:

Cash rebates function similarly to grants and are paid to the production company in percentages based on qualifying local expenditures, including labor, production costs, and other services

Tax incentives are similar to rebates, but the production company must file a tax return to claim the funds. In turn, the company will receive a credit for taxes owed on qualifying local expenditures, including labor, production costs, and other services.

National or regional film funds are limited government-sponsored grants for which a production must specifically apply.

Tax shelters, relief, or waivers allow investors tax breaks on their investments.

Below, we've broken down the world's most attractive production incentives by continent. Based on our research, you should start thinking seriously about setting your next film in Colombia (60% cash rebate), Fiji (50% cash rebate), or Canada (30% to 70% tax credits).

BEST IN EASTERN EUROPE

#1: ESTONIA

Film commission: Estonian Film Institute

Financial incentive: Up to 30% cash rebate for film productions. There are also hefty sums available for development, pre-production, post-production, and distribution

Requirements: The amount of aid is calculated as a percentage of the costs done in Estonia (up to 30%) and paid out retroactively after all the expenses are audited. The maximum grant can be applied if the film production uses Estonian-based filmmakers, actors, and other production crew. It can also be applied if the story is set in Estonia

#2: HUNGARY

Film commission: Hungarian National Film Fund

Financial incentive: 25% tax incentive on eligible expenses

Requirements: Must pass a cultural test, but producer is free to spend 20% of production costs outside of Hungary

Notes: Hungarian film crews are incredibly experienced and professional. There are many high-quality production facilities, and the country is notable for its film-friendly infrastructure.

#3: LITHUANIA

Vilnius, Lithuania

Film commission: Lithuanian Film Centre

Financial incentive: Cash rebate of up to 20% of the budget

Requirements: At least 80% of all production spending must be in Lithuania; maximum amount of funding cannot exceed 20% of the production costs

#4: MACEDONIA

Film commission: Macedonia Film Agency

Financial incentive: 20% cash rebate on Macedonian production costs

Requirements: You must spend a minimum of $113,000, have 50% of funding already in place, and have a Macedonian producer involved

#5: CZECH REPUBLIC

Prague, Czech Republic

Film commission: Czech Film Commission

Financial incentive: 20% rebate on qualifying Czech spending; 66% rebate on international costs paid to foreign above-the-line cast and crew who pay withholding tax in the Czech Republic

Requirements: Feature films must spend more than $628,000; documentaries must spend more than $83,000. Your production must pass this (relatively easy) cultural test, as well.

Notes: The Czech Republic is a popular destination for film production not only because of its financial incentives but also because of its large number of comprehensive and extremely professional production facilities.

#6: CROATIA

Film commission: Filming in Croatia

Financial incentive: 20% rebate on qualifying Croatian expenditure

Requirements: The applicant must be a Croatian producer, co-producer, or production service provider that has produced or provided production services for at least one publicly shown work within the last 3 years.

#7: SERBIA

Belgrade, Serbia

Film commission: Serbian Film Commission

Financial incentive: 20% rebate on qualifying Serbian expenditure

Requirements: $340,000 minimum spend on feature films; $57,000 on docs

#8: POLAND

Film commission: Polish Film Institute

Financial incentive: While there are no national tax incentives offered yet (one is being planned for 2017), the PFI offers a system of grants that cover up to 50% of production costs. You can obtain additional funding from specific regions, such as the Krakow Regional Film Fund.

BEST IN WESTERN EUROPE

#1: IRELAND

Film commission: Irish Film Commission

Financial incentive: 32% tax credit on local Irish expenditures

Requirements: The production company must reside in Ireland, or trade through a branch or agency; not connected to a broadcaster.

#2: THE UK AND SCOTLAND

Film commission: British Film Commission

Financial incentive: 25% cash rebate and up to 80% tax relief

Requirements: Production must pass a cultural test.

#3: BELGIUM

Belgium

Film commission: Belgian Film Industry

Financial incentive: The Belgian Tax Shelter allows the finance of up to 45% of Belgian-eligible expenses.

Requirements: Cannot exceed 50% of total production budget

#4: FRANCE

Film commission: Film France

Financial incentive: 30% tax rebate on qualifying expenditures in France

Requirements: Production must pass a cultural test; minimum spend is either $1.5 million or 50% of total production budget spent in France.

Notes: There are 41 local film commissions throughout France with additional offerings.

#5: MALTA

Malta

Film commission: Malta Film Commission

Financial incentive: 25% cash rebate of eligible expenditure with an additional 2% if the production features Malta culturally

Requirements: Production must pass a cultural test.

#6: ITALY

ilm commission: Filming in Italy

Financial incentive: 25% tax relief on qualifying expenditures

Requirements: Production must pass a cultural test and meet other requirements.

#7: AUSTRIA

Film commission: There are multiple funding options, but one of the most prominent is Film Industry Support Austria (FISA).

Financial incentive: Cash rebate of 20% eligible production costs

Requirements: You must pass a cultural eligibility test, spend $1.5 million in Austria, and meet various other requirements.

#8: GERMANY

Film commission: German Federal Film Fund (DFFF)

Financial incentive: In recent years, Germany has significantly slashed its federal film funding, from $95 million to the current $68 million. The DFFF offers a grant that covers 20% of German production costs with a maximum grant limit of $4.5 million (and $11 million in exceptional cases). Germany also has 17 regional film commissions to help with production logistics and funds.

Requirements: Feature films must pass a cultural eligibility test, have an office registered in Germany, spend 25% of production costs in the country, have 75% of financing in place, and meet other requirements.

Notes: Big-budget films such as The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Monuments Men, Cloud Atlas, and Inglorious Bastards have been awarded the grant.

BEST IN SCANDINAVIA

#1: ICELAND

Film commission: Film in Iceland

Financial incentive: 25% cash rebate on all eligible expenses

Requirements: Must submit a relatively simple production plan

#2: NORWAY

Film commission: Norwegian Film Institute

Financial incentive: 25% cash rebate on all eligible expenses

Requirements: Minimum production spend of $3 million and must pass qualification test

BEST IN ASIA

#1: SINGAPORE

Film commission: Media Development Authority of Singapore

Financial incentive: In 2004, the Singapore Tourism Board introduced the "Film in Singapore Scheme," which promotes production in the country by subsidizing up to 50% of qualifying expenses incurred in Singapore, including local talent, production staff, and production services. Additionally, there are various grants available through the MDAS, including a "Production Assistance" grant that supports up to 40% of qualifying expenses.

Requirements: Films and television shows must portray Singapore in a favorable light.

#2: MALAYSIA

Film commission: National Film Development Corporation Malaysia

Financial incentive: 30% cash rebate in qualifying local expenditure

Requirements: $1.2 million minimum spend (including post-production)

BEST IN OCEANIA

#1: FIJI

Film commission: Film Fiji

Financial incentive: Film Fiji offers a whopping 47% tax rebate on production spend in the country.

Requirements: The production company must be locally registered in Fiji; in addition, you must demonstrate an ability to release and distribute the film in a major international market.

#2: AUSTRALIA

Film commission: Australian Screen Production Incentive and Screen Australia

Financial incentive: Producer Offset (40% rebate on productions shot in Australia); PDV Offset (30% rebate on post-production work conducted in Australia, regardless of where the production was shot)

Requirements: To qualify for the Producer Offset, you must have an agreement for an Australian theatrical release, a financial commitment towards prints and advertising made by the distributor, an international sales agent attached, and more.

#3: NEW ZEALAND

Film commission: New Zealand Film Commission

Financial incentive: The New Zealand Screen Production Grant offers a 20% cash rebate to qualifying expenditures; you can also qualify for an additional 5% uplift if your project meets requirements proving it will boost the country's economy

Requirements: $11 million minimum spend for feature films; more requirements here

BEST IN NORTH AMERICA (EXCLUDING THE US)

#1: CANADA

Film commission: Divided among provinces, with the most generous being Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and British Columbia

Financial incentive: Depending on the province, producers can access combined federal and provincial tax credits ranging from 32% to 70% of eligible labor, as well as tax incentives on local qualifying spend ranging from 20% to 30%.

Requirements: Varies depending on province

BEST IN LATIN AMERICA

#1 : COLOMBIA

Film commission: Colombia Film Fund

Financial incentive: Two-tier cash rebate system provides 40% for film services (including services related to post-production, artistic, and technical services), and another 20% for film logistical services (including services provided for transport, accommodation, and food)

Requirements: Production must be partially or totally filmed in Colombia, with a minimum $600,000 local spend

Notes: Medellin is the only city in Colombia that offers rebates in addition to the above incentives; you can receive up to 15% of production spend in the city

#2: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Film commission: Trinidad & Tobago Film Company

Financial incentive: Cash rebates up to 55% for expenditures on qualifying local labor and 35% on other local expenditures

Requirements: At least 50% of the principal photography must be done in Trinidad and Tobago; minimum of two weeks of the principal photography must be filmed in Trinidad and Tobago

#3: PUERTO RICO

Film commission: Film in Puerto Rico

Financial incentive: 40% production tax credit on all payments to Puerto Rico resident companies and individuals

Requirements: $100,000 minimum spend

#4: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Film commission: Dominican Republic Film Commission

Financial incentive: 25% transferable tax credit on all eligible expenditures including pre-production, production, and post-production

Requirements: $500,000 minimum spend

#5: PANAMA

Film commission: Panama Film Commission

Financial incentive: 15% cash rebate

Requirements: $3 million minimum local expenditure

BEST IN THE MIDDLE EAST

#1: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Film commission: Abu Dhabi Film Commission

Financial incentive: 30% cash rebate on production spend; no sales tax

Requirements: Must pass the National Media Council content clearance

BEST IN AFRICA

#1: SOUTH AFRICA

Film commission: National and Film and Video Foundation, Trade and Industry Department of South Africa

Financial incentive: 20% tax credit (production), 25% tax credit (post-production)

Requirements: 100% of the filming must be done in South Africa, and there is a $1.5 million minimum spend

Notes: There are lucrative regional film funds in Gauteng, Cape Town, Durban, and the Eastern Cape

Sources: Google, Wikipedia, Pinterest, IBIS World, Canada Film Capital, Luther, William, Movie Production Incentives, Kristy Puchko, Cinema Blend, Hollywood Reporter, IMDB, Variety, No Film School, Emily Buder

Please note: All countries and incentives may change or eliminate their programs at any time and without notice. This list is to indicate the available international incentive and rebate programs around the world.