Written by on Feb 6, 2014. Posted in Incentive News

New study will evaluate effectiveness of filming incentives in Europe

A new study has been commissioned by the European Audiovisual Observatory to evaluate the effectiveness of filming incentives throughout Europe. Consultancy firm Olsberg SPI will lead the report and the results will help clarify advantages and disadvantages of each programme.

The investigating team will look at a selected group of filming incentive programmes and evaluate how successfully different models attract international investment, as well as how they impact on each state’s national production industry.

“We have worked extensively in the fiscal incentives arena before but this study aims to provide a new depth of knowledge about how European incentives can be most impactful,” said Olsberg SPI Chairman Jonathan Olsberg.

Added Observatory Executive Director Susanne Nikoltchev: “With this assessment the European Audiovisual Observatory is aiming to deepen the understanding across Europe of the use of incentives and the impact they can have on both inward investment and indigenous production.”

The UK’s filming incentive programme has helped establish it as one of the main production hubs in Europe. Its filming incentive programme was safeguarded in November 2013 by the European Commission’s new Cinema Communication, which continued to enable EU member states to offer incentive support.

With this assessment the European Audiovisual Observatory is aiming to deepen the understanding across Europe of the use of incentives.

Susanne Nikoltchev, Executive Director of the European Audiovisual Observatory

“The UK film industry makes a valuable cultural contribution and is an important part of our diverse and dynamic economy,” the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, commented at the time.

“Through the film tax relief we have been able to support this highly skilled, innovative and creative sector and the European Commission’s Cinema Communication will mean we can continue to provide that support.”