Earlier today, Iceland's government voted to increase its Reimbursement of Film Making in Iceland programme from 14% to 20%. This means that 20% of all production costs incurred during film and television production is now refundable.
The world's press has made much of Iceland's economic collapse, but it's financial problems have resulted in a booming film and television industry. As Einar Tómasson, the Film in Iceland Agency's Film Commissioner, points out: "When Clint Eastwood shot Flags of Our Fathers in Iceland in 2005, one American dollar was worth 62 Icelandic Krona. Today, a dollar is worth about 114 Krona. This means that Iceland is more competitive than ever."
Filmmakers from across the UK have seen for themselves some of the film locations on offer in Hampshire, with a tour organised by Hampshire County Council initiative, Film Hampshire.
The Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment has announced the results of an independent assessment of Florida’s film and entertainment industry, conducted by the Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development of the University of West Florida.
The new legislation provides a tax credit of 20% (25% for independent features under USD10 million), with an appropriation of USD100 million per year for five years starting
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a new website to promote Serbia to the international filmmaking community.
The Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) will receive extra government funding to secure its future in difficult economic times. Funding will increase from USD3.26 million last year to USD4.47 million this year.
Willy Biondani, who is currently on the BossaNovaFilms roster, has directed the docudrama Sertão Veredas. The docudrama was inspired by Guimarães Rosa's Grande Sertão Veredas, one of the 20th century's greatest literature works.