Serbia has decided to compete more effectively with its European neighbours by launching a new filming incentive worth up to 15%. The new cash rebate is valid for feature films, TV and documentaries that spend at least EUR2 million in Serbia.
The state Senate in New Mexico has voted to keep the existing 25% filming incentive, but to reduce the annual cap to USD50 million. Just over USD65 million was paid out to productions in 2010.
In a high-profile case of incentives uncertainty scaring off major film productions, upcoming feature The Avengers has rejected a planned location shoot in Michigan for a better deal in Ohio. The film will also shoot in New Mexico and New York.
The Dominican Republic has announced a new filming incentive of up to 25% for features and TV shows alongside news that Pinewood Studios will be opening a new state-of-the-art facility in the country.
Film productions choosing to shoot in Utah could soon access a sweetened state incentive. The plan is to increase the current available figure from 20% to 25% of eligible expenditure, while digital media projects could also be supported.
Former US President Bill Clinton has written a letter to encourage the expansion of film tax credits on the Hawaiian islands of Maui and Oahu. Relativity Media and Shangri-La Industries want the credit expansion to develop production facilities.
International productions filming in Italy are now exempt from paying VAT costs. Productions have routinely had to add 20% to their budgets to prepare for the VAT and although it could be claimed back this had sometimes happened long after a wrap date.
A trio of Alaskan politicians are campaigning to extend the state’s existing filming incentives scheme beyond 2013. The current programme is only two years old but the various projects that have applied during that time could end up delivering more than USD100 million to the Alaskan economy.