In 2016, Enterprise Georgia introduced the state program “Film in Georgia,” a joint initiative of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and the Ministry of Culture and Monuments Protection of Georgia.
The “Film in Georgia” program offers a 20-25% cash rebate on qualified expenses incurred in Georgia. Its primary objective is to support the development of Georgia’s film industry, attract international filmmakers to the country, and position Georgia as the leading Eastern European filming destination.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR 20% CASH REBATE
- International and local productions must be registered as legal entities in Georgia
- Projects must lead to the production of a feature film, TV film, TV series or mini series (pilot episodes are eligible), animation, documentary film, commercial, reality show, or music video
- At least 50% of the total production budget should be mobilized at the time of application
- The following actions are needed to get the following services:
- A legal entity registered in Georgia fills the form of an online application
- The agreement is signed between the Agency “Enterprise Georgia” and the applicant
- The applicant is awarded the unique code and certificate of the program beneficiary
- Within one year of receiving the certificate, the beneficiary must submit an independent qualified costs expenditure report by the audit company
- Within one year after the receiving audit report, the Agency shall reimburse 20% of the limited qualified expenses
- After paying 20%, the beneficiary has one year to complete an additional 2-5% based on the so-called “Cultural Test”.
In a short time since the program’s launch, the incentive has already drawn in 64 international productions, with 56 of them completed. The projects that benefited include Georgian-European co-productions (from France, Germany, and Italy), US blockbusters, and Asian TV series.
CASH REBATE +5%
An additional 2-5% rebate is available if projects include elements designed to promote Georgia as a destination. To qualify, projects must meet the program’s “Cultural Test”:
1% – The production is completed and released theatrically or on major television network, and a “Making-of” video is produced that showcases the Georgian shoot.
1% – The production employs Georgian citizens in at least one of the following categories:
- Lead actress or actor (first three positions in credits), or Director (first two positions in credits)
- Screenwriter (first two positions in credits) or Composer (first two positions in credits)
- Two supporting actresses or actors (first ten positions in credits)
- At least three Heads of Department (DP, first position in credits), Producer (first three positions in credits), Production Designer (first position in credits), Costume Designer (first position in credits), Line Producer (first position in credits), Production Manager or Unit Production Manager (first position in credits, only if the picture does not have a line producer)
1% – Use of one of the following elements in the production:
- Depiction of Georgia as a location (identified via on- screen title or other indication)
- Story based on a Georgian work of literature or historical event
- Depiction of national landmarks commonly associated with Georgia such as:
- UNESCO cultural heritage sites (and candidate sites)
- Landmarks from the approved list
-The Georgian flag (visible on-screen for at least two seconds)
1% – Spending at least 50,000 GEL on post-production services in Georgia
1% – Distribution of final product in at least two EU member countries, the US, Canada, or India; or participation in the main competition of an FIAPF-accredited film festival, the Sundance Film Festival, or an AMPAS or BAFTA nomination.
WHY FILM IN GEORGIA
- Inspirational locations: shoot subtropical, coastal, alpine mountains, desert and beautiful forest scenes in one day
- Unique and captivating fusion of medieval and modern architecture with Asian, European, and Soviet Styles
- six climate zones and long sunny days
- Fully accessible public locations free of charge
- Competitive financial incentives: up to 25% cash back
- Easy to apply cash rebate scheme: one-stop-shop principle and no red-tape
- Business-friendly environment: flexible labor market, cheap energy, and low-taxes (#9 Low Tax Rate Economies-World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report)
- Modern infrastructure: three international airports, cargo and passenger ports, and well-connected roads and rail across Georgia
- High speed fiber-optic internet connectivity across the country
- Film friendly society
