JAMPRO establishing fund to cover cost of filming in Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) is working to establish a national film fund that will cover the cost of filming in Jamaica.

JAMPO president, Diane Edwards, says the agency “is half-way down the road” with the establishment of the fund, noting that it will take approximately six to nine months to iron out certain details.

“We have agreement with some of the partners. We know how we are going to manage it and we know how we will find some of the funds, but we’re going to have to put together a whole financing structure,” she told the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).

The national film fund is an alternative to the rebate incentive program for filming that exists in countries such as Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Edwards said that producers of blockbusters or destination films such as Pirates of the Caribbean go to those countries to film and, in turn, the governments underwrite 34 per cent of the filming costs.

While Jamaica has no legislation in place that enables this kind of provision, Edwards said that JAMPRO has been offering “in-kind contributions” to attract film-makers.

Tourism Minister Edmond Bartlett says he will be meeting with the producers of the 25th James Bond movie in England this week, with a view to having some parts filmed in the island.

Bartlett said he and Entertainment Minister, Olivia Grange, will be travelling to Pinewood Studios to meet with the producers – Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.

The studios have been the base for several productions over the years and are well-known as the home of the James Bond franchise.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of Aspire Funds Management Company Limited, Kerwyn Valley, said that Trinidad’s film incentive “is one of the most attractive”.

He said his company has been investing in the development of Caribbean film-makers and is looking to Jamaica with a view to having films released online, as there are greater prospects for promotion and marketing through that space.