Film producers offered tax incentives to ‘film in Georgia’

Georgia is set to introduce tax incentives for international filmmakers who create projects in the country, with up to 22 percent rebate on production costs.

The Government’s 'Film in Georgia' incentive will see the state cover a straight-up 20 percent of qualifying expenses for producers, with an additional two percent for including local cast or "promoting Georgian culture”. The  program is set to start next January.

The rebate will cover productions that involve at least $300,000 ($150,000 for documentaries) in production costs that take place in Georgia and spent at least three days shooting in the country. 

The financial support is open to feature films, TV series, animation and documentary film projects.

"Tax incentives are a must nowadays,” Georgian National Film Centre (GNFC) export and distribution head David Vashadze said while speaking about the initiative.

Additionally, the state planned to launch a Film Commission to reduce the level of bureaucratic procedures for film producers in Georgia.