November 13, 2019

Incentive for filming in Portugal has already attracted 40 productions

“We have had 40 projects supported in just over a year and a half,” explained Manuel Claro, explaining that “it is almost unanimous” among international producers “the quality of the Portuguese technical and artistic teams in this type of work”.

The incentive for film production and capture in Portugal, which offers up to 30% of the value of projects to developers, has already attracted 40 productions, Portugal Film Commissioner Manuel Claro told Lusa.

The official spoke on the sidelines of the presentation of the Portuguese entity at LocationExpo of the 40th edition of the American Film Market (AFM), an event that runs until tomorrow in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County.

“We have had 40 projects supported in just over a year and a half,” explained Manuel Claro, noting that “it is almost unanimous” among international producers “the quality of the Portuguese technical and artistic teams in this type of work.”

The incentive funded by the Tourism, Film and Audiovisual Support Fund is directed to productions with costs starting from 500 thousand euros and has characteristics that the Portugal Film Commission considers to be competitive. “The aim was to create a differentiating cash rebate internationally,” said Manuel Claro, explaining that the 25% to 30% bonus depends on eligible expenses made in Portugal and that the system is different from incentives given by other countries, like Poland and Romania.

“The two qualities of this system that make it competitive and differentiating it from many others is that we have advance payments,” said Manuel Claro, referring to the parcels that begin to be delivered to producers as soon as the contract is signed. On the other hand, he said, aid decisions are made within twenty working days, a “speed and transparency” that he considered to be “key elements” for the competitiveness of the incentive.

The Tourism, Film and Audiovisual Support Fund has a budget of 12 million per year, of which 660,000 is delivered to the newly created Portugal Film Commission and the rest finances cash rebates, in advance format, to productions that qualify.

Manuel Claro stresses the relevance of these figures when compared to the situation experienced only a few years ago: “From 6 million from ICA [Film and Audiovisual Institute] in 2012 we move to a total of 32 million, 20 from ICA plus 12 from the fund” , he stated. “We are now in an ecosystem that we probably never had. We have to work to continue to justify and maintain it.”

By Jornal de Negócios/Lusa, November 2019