07-07-2011

FNE at KVIFF: Czech Incentives Spur Film Production

By Cathy Meils

    KARLOVY VARY: The Czech Association of Producers released data showing CZK 1.745 billion (EUR 72 million) in film spend in the Czech Republic anticipated in 2011, helped by CZK 349 million (EUR 14 million) in film tax incentives.

    The list includes 12 Czech projects benefitting from tax incentives of CZK 69.8 million. The U.S. leads the list with Moon (CZK 138 million in tax incentives); Snow White (CZK 36 million); Suspiria (CZK 31 million); Gray Man (CZK 1.8 million); and Labyrinth (CZK 1.8 million). France has three films: L'Homme qui rit (CZK 17 million); Merlin (CZK 15 million); and L'entreneur (CZK 3.2 million). The U.K. has Home (CZK 4.8 million) and the Shakespeare TV series (CZK 7 million). Germany plans a six part TV series Akte Wixx (CZK 13.6 million); and Italy has Olimpiadi Secreti (CZK 10 million).

    Funds allocated for tax incentives ran out in spring 2011, and negotiations are now underway with the Ministers of Finance and Culture to add more funds for the programme.

    Foreign production had a drastic drop in 2004, when Hungary introduced its film tax rebate system. From a high of over CZK 5 billion euros spend on foreign film in 2003, spend fell to well below CZK 1 billion in 2008 and stayed at that level, increasing slightly in 2010 after the introduction of film incentives.

    Published in Czech Republic
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