The Czech Republic, the location of Robert Eggers’ film “Nosferatu,” starring Bill Skarsgård, Willem Dafoe and Lily-Rose Depp, has given a major boost to its production incentives.
An amendment to the country’s audiovisual law raised the incentive for live action projects from 20% to 25%. Added to this is a 35% incentive for digital production and animation, excluding live action scenes. The maximum amount that can be claimed per project has also been tripled to $19 million.
Another change is that docuseries can now benefit from a production incentive.
Regarding production incentives, the most important changes will enter into force at the beginning of January 2025. The entire law, including all changes, will enter into force in 2026.
For a detailed explanation of how incentives work see here.
The main change is the new financing method. Under the new law, the total annual incentive budget will be calculated at six times the amount of money raised through fees collected from signs plus mirror funding – and the Czech government will match the total amount raised through fees. The total is estimated at $92 million annually.
“We are pleased that this step deepens our cooperation with international partners and helps us maintain and highlight our position as a leading filming center in continental Europe,” said Pavlina Zebkova from the Czech Film Commission.
“We, like other European film industry hubs, felt the impact of last year’s Hollywood strikes, and I firmly believe that the benefits of our program will be beneficial for both our international partners and local filmmakers,” said Helena Bezdek Frankova, Director of the Czech Audiovisual Fund, the new name of the Czech Film Fund. .
The Czech Republic hosts Hollywood blockbusters as well as low-budget independent films and European co-productions. Recent notable productions include the limited series “Blade Runner 2099” from Amazon Prime Video, the sci-fi series “Foundation” from Apple TV+, and the Lionsgate spin-off “Ballerina” with “John Wick” with Ana de Armas and Keanu Reeves. Netflix’s All Quiet on the Western Front, which won four Oscars last year, was also filmed in the Czech Republic.