Written by David Lewis on Sep 11, 2009. Posted in Incentive News

Italy, Puerto Rico and Czech Republic incentives

Italy continues to show how seriously its taking film incentives. Following the announcement of a national tax credits scheme earlier in the year, Sicily has now announced a USD91 million fund of government money which is available until 2013. The fund will be handled by Cine Sicilia. The Tuscany Film Commission has also stated it will be providing USSD12 million over the next two years for films, TV movies and documentaries shot in the region. Turin/Piedmont, Campania and Friuli Venezia already offer incentives so Italy is now a region rich with financial enticements.

Puerto Rico has confirmed that its 40% film tax credit will extended until 2019. Governor Luis G Fortuno has also stated that there will be far less red tape involved in receiving the credits.

The Czech Republic Government is also now very close to making its proposed incentive structure law. The system is expected to be similar to Germany's which offers to reimburse up to 20% of the costs incurred for producing a film in Germany. The industry is hoping for a final decision this week.