FAQ

What is the Serbian Film Incentive?
The Serbian Film Incentive offers:
• A 12% cash rebate on all Serbian labor costs
• A 15% cash rebate on all Serbian expenditure on goods and services
for the production of feature films, documentaries, television productions and TV series shot on location in Serbia. TV commercials are not eligible.

Who can apply?
International producers can apply via a Serbian service production company or a Special Purpose Vehicle – a company registered in Serbia for the sole purpose of carrying out a particular production.

What counts as a qualifying expenditure?
All costs incurred by the production and paid to Serbian companies and individuals during the shoot for the purchase or rental of goods and services in Serbia and for the use of Serbian locations.

What labor costs are included?
All salaries and taxes paid in Serbia. This includes any international crew if they are registered for tax and paid in Serbia during the production.

What costs are not included?
Expenditures such as fees and salaries paid outside Serbia are excluded, as are big-ticket items such as real estate, marketing costs and producer fees. Funds from other Serbian government sources are also discounted from the QSE.

What is the minimum spending threshold?
To qualify for this incentive, productions must spend a minimum of 2 million Euros on qualifying Serbian expenditure.

Can I bundle a number of projects to meet the threshold?
No, the incentive is only applicable to one project at a time.

What information is required for the application?
1) Power of attorney to apply for the program (granted by the foreign investor/producer) and a contract between the foreign production company and a local service provider;
2) Power of attoreny granted by the royalty holder;
3) Synopsis and the format of the film
4) A list of the relevant crew members for production of the film (director, actors, etc.);
5) A production budget overview, with cost specification and presentation of the budget to be spent in the Republic of Serbia;
6) Proof on the foreign origin of funds for the film production expenditures in the Republic of Serbia;
7) Schedule of activities underlying production of the film in the Republic of Serbia;
8) A list of films the applicant production participated in, i.e. members or participants in such production (reference list);
9) Other data or documentation envisaged by the Committee.

How are applications considered? Is there a cultural test?
Applications will be adjudicated on a first-come, first-served basis. No cultural testing is required. However, please note that incentives will not be considered for (1) films that contradict the ethics and public order in the Republic of Serbia and (2) productions that compromise the reputation of the Republic of Serbia and/or promote human rights violations, hate speech or pornography.

Are there any other conditions?
Yes. Any film that receives Serbian funds under this Decree must contain (1) language specifying that the Republic of Serbia financially supported the film's production and (2) a visual representation of the special national brand of the Republic of Serbia logo, in a visible place, in all versions, copies and screenings in various markets.

When must I begin filming?
There is no fixed start date, however all Serbian eligible costs must be incurred by November 15, 2011.

When are the funds disbursed?
Productions may apply for a disbursement of funds once they have reached the minimum local expenditure threshold. For example, you may still be in production when funds are released.

What is the process for disbursement?
You may apply for the release of funds by forwarding the following information.

1) Excerpt from the Business Registers Agency for the applicant (for companies registered in Serbia);
2) Copy of the contract between foreign production company and local production service provider;
3) Report on the executed production budget, with a specific overview of the spend and rationale regarding the funds of foreign origin, as well as the amount of costs underlying production of the cinematographic piece comprising specification of all costs incurred in the territory of the Republic of Serbia amounting to at least EUR 2,000,000;
4) Report of an independent auditor on the Serbia spend segment of the budget;
5) Documentation verifying the specified costs (invoices, contracts, evidence of payments to suppliers, etc.);
6) Declaration of acceptance of conditions in Article 17, paragraph 1 of the Decree
7) Declaration on acceptance of conditions referred to in Article 15, paragraph 1 of the Decree;
8) Documentation from the Ministry of Finance and the Tax Authority that all the taxes and fringes have been covered;
9) Declaration that other funds from the budget of the Republic of Serbia have not been used for the production in question.

With whom can I speak for more information?
For more information on the Incentive Program, please contact the Serbia Film Commission at info@filminserbia.com or +381 11 3292 024.