Ireland will consider increasing its current EUR 50 million (USD 63 million) cap on eligible expenditure that qualifies for the country’s filming incentive programme, from 2016. The current Section 481 filming incentive will convert to a tax credit from next year and the value will rise to 32%.
Fantasy sequel Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass has filmed briefly on location in Gloucester, in south-west England, doubling the city’s historic docks for a period London setting of around 1850. The film will feature Johnny Depp resuming his role as Mad Hatter.
A new ruling in the US has allowed six production companies to use unmanned drones for commercial filming purposes in American airspace. Officially referred to as unmanned aircraft systems, the drones can be used by these companies with far fewer restrictions.
Ben Stiller’s family comedy sequel Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb has promoted its London filming locations ahead of the movie’s December opening. The film follows Stiller’s night security guard and his adventures with museum exhibits that magically come to life after dark.
Pinewood Studios has announced a revenues boost for the 2013/14 financial year. The company reported an increase of 16.5% on the previous year and highlighted key developments including the completion of its new Q Stage and progress on Pinewood Atlanta Studios in the US.
Authorities in Scotland are planning to boost film tourism in Edinburgh with the launch of a movie map of the iconic city. Filming locations used in 21 different movies over the years in the Scottish capital feature on the map, from Chariots of Fire through to the more recent Sunshine on Leith.
Period political feature Suffragette has become the first movie to film on location in the Houses of Parliament in central London. The film tells a fictional story against the backdrop of the Suffragettes’ campaign to secure the vote for women in the early 20th Century.
Historical drama Vikings has been given a third series and will continue to film on location in County Wicklow, Ireland, with a base at Ashford Studios outside Dublin. The show was History Channel’s first scripted series and tells the story of the infamous Nordic race.