NEW FILM INCENTIVE IN SERBIA: The Republic of Serbia adds a 15% cash rebate Film Incentive to its compelling film offering

Belgrade, Serbia, March 25, 2011 - The government of Serbia passed a decree establishing a brand new Film Incentive program for the southeast European country.

The new Serbia Film Incentive is a straight-forward 15% cash rebate on goods, products and services purchased for international productions in Serbia. It offers a further 12% rebate on Serbian labor. This includes foreign crew and talent if they are paid in Serbia during the course of production. The minimum spending threshold in the country is 2 million Euros.

The Serbian Film Incentive is the most recent in a series of moves intended to strengthen Serbia’s status as one of the world’s most exciting film production hotspots in Europe. In 2009, the country launched the informative FilminSerbia website and shortly after introduced the dynamic Serbia Film Commission. Since then, the Commission has introduced a range of coordination and training measures to improve filming in the country, including lobbying for the film incentive.

As part of the former Yugoslavia, Serbia was at one time the second largest filming destination in Europe, and the country is highly-regarded by those in the know for its diversity of accessible locations, easy access to its modern capital Belgrade, qualified and experienced English-speaking crews, brand new studios and high quality construction services. Serbia is already 20-25% less expensive than other countries in the region, and the incentive is intended to further cement the country’s reputation as a high-quality, cost-competitive production center.

In the past year alone, Serbia hosted nearly $30 million in high profile productions, including Ralph Fiennes’ directorial debut “Coriolanus” starring Gerard Butler and Vanessa Redgrave, Europa Corp’s “Lock out” featuring Guy Pierce and Maggie Grace, James Mc Teague’s “The Raven” with John Cusack, and a handful of Italian TV series (“Commessario Nardonne”, “Zarema e Le Altre” and “Il Restauratore”).  The incentive is therefore an important addition to the country’s compelling production offering.

According to Serbia Film Commissioner Ana Ilic, these efforts have paid off. “With existing cost savings of up to 25%, our excellent crews, our equipment and our locations, we were able to attract  the attention of international producers. With the Serbia Film Incentive, the rationale for filming in the country became that much more compelling. We therefore look forward to fielding enquiries and assisting filming in Serbia.”

The incentive is currently available for 2011 only, and all submissions for payments must be submitted by November 15, 2011. The Serbia Film Commission anticipates excellent results this year and a continuation of the program for 2012. The film incentive is part of the Ministry of Trade and Agriculture’s campaign to promote Serbia as filming, tourism and business destination.

For further information click here, or please contact Serbia Film Commission at info@filminserbia.com