Information Americas, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, June 24, 2025: With world demand for numerous content material on the rise and the Caribbean providing a few of the world’s most breathtaking filming areas, many business leaders say the area is lacking a golden alternative to seize its share of the booming movie and tv market.
That message was clear on the second Cross Cultural Discussion board, hosted by CaribbeanTales Media Group in Bridgetown, Barbados from June 13-18th, the place stakeholders mentioned decolonizing co-production with movie producers world wide, together with the US, the UK, Canada, South Africa and the Caribbean. However the failure by many Caribbean nations to implement sturdy movie tax incentives and co-production treaties to draw main productions globally was additionally uncovered.
Regardless of rising worldwide competitors, solely a handful of Caribbean nations — together with Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Cayman Islands — at the moment supply significant tax advantages or financing constructions for movie and TV productions.
Felicia J. Persaud, CEO of Invest Caribbean, who moderated a panel on funding and financing on the occasion, informed Information Americas she was shocked to be taught that few Caribbean nations are tapping into this sector and placing legal guidelines in place to develop the sector and create cross border co-productions.
Success Tales Exist, However Gaps Stay
The Dominican Republic has turn into a regional chief, providing a 25% transferable tax credit score, 18% VAT exemptions, and duty-free importation of movie tools. These insurance policies, mixed with numerous areas and year-round filming circumstances, have attracted main worldwide productions to the nation.
Trinidad and Tobago supplies rebates of as much as 35% on eligible bills, plus an extra 20% for hiring native labor, whereas Puerto Rico boasts a 40% tax credit score on native spend for residents and a 20% credit score for non-resident staff, making it a magnet for each Caribbean and Hollywood producers.
The Cayman Islands not too long ago entered the sport, providing money rebates of as much as 35%, alongside its tax-neutral enterprise surroundings.
But, many different Caribbean nations — together with high locations like Barbados, St. Lucia, and Antigua — lack formal tax credit or structured packages to draw productions, limiting financial alternatives.
Kaye Greenidge, CEO of Make investments Barbados, confirmed on the discussion board that Barbados remains to be working towards finalizing a complete incentive system, regardless of present advantages like VAT exemptions for registered suppliers.
The significance of co-production treaties — formal agreements between nations to collectively develop movie initiatives — was additionally highlighted on the discussion board.
South Africa, for instance, has treaties with a number of nations, enabling producers to entry tax credit, financing, and native assets. Nonetheless, as Jackie Motsepe, COO of KZN Movie & Tourism Authority, confirmed that there are at the moment no co-production treaties between South Africa and any Caribbean nation, representing a missed alternative for cross-regional collaboration.
In distinction, Canada, the UK, and Australia have leveraged co-production treaties to develop their inventive industries. Canada alone has agreements with almost 60 nations, enabling productions to entry vital tax credit, funding, and decreased threat by pooling assets.
“With out co-production treaties, Caribbean filmmakers face boundaries to financing and world distribution,” Persaud emphasised. “The area’s inventive expertise is simple — however coverage is lagging behind.”
Trade specialists agree: introducing film-friendly tax incentives and co-production agreements isn’t nearly attracting Hollywood blockbusters. It’s about creating jobs, constructing native manufacturing capability, and showcasing genuine Caribbean tales to the world.
“Different nations are forward as a result of they’ve made movie a nationwide financial precedence,” Persaud stated. “We have to do the identical.”
The query stays: will extra Caribbean nations seize the second, or will the area proceed to look at profitable productions — and the financial advantages they bring about — go elsewhere?
- Fairness Funding
Personal traders or corporations contribute capital in change for a share of future income.
Excessive threat, excessive reward — they solely recoup cash if the movie is profitable.
Typically sourced from:
Personal wealth (high-net-worth people)
Movie funds or funding teams
Manufacturing corporations
- Pre-Gross sales
Producers promote the rights to distribute the movie in particular nations earlier than the movie is made.
Based mostly on the script, forged, or director’s repute.
Typically used as collateral to boost different financing (like loans).
Frequent in worldwide markets, particularly with recognizable expertise hooked up.
- Tax Incentives & Rebates
Governments supply money rebates, tax credit, or exemptions for movies shot of their nation.
Can cowl 20% to 40%+ of certified manufacturing spend in areas like Canada, the UK, Puerto Rico, or the Dominican Republic.
Attracts productions to stimulate native economies.
- Co-Productions
Two or extra corporations from totally different nations collaborate, sharing prices and entry to every nation’s incentives.
Requires co-production treaties or agreements.
Helps unfold threat, entry broader expertise swimming pools, and faucet into world financing.
- Hole Financing
A mortgage that covers the “hole” between confirmed funding (pre-sales, tax credit) and the whole funds.
Secured towards future income streams, like remaining territories or post-sale revenues.
Thought-about greater threat — lenders cost premium rates of interest.
- Completion Bonds
Insurance coverage that ensures the movie might be completed on time and inside funds.
Required by many traders or lenders to scale back threat.
Completion bond corporations might step in to handle the manufacturing if points come up.
- Product Placement & Model Sponsorship
Manufacturers pay to function their merchandise throughout the movie.
Can offset manufacturing prices.
Works greatest for mainstream, industrial movies with extensive attraction.
- Grants & Public Funding
Non-repayable funds from movie commissions, arts councils, or cultural organizations.
Typically aimed toward supporting native expertise or culturally vital content material.
Quantities differ, aggressive software course of.
- Crowdfunding
Public contributions by means of platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo.
Sometimes used for smaller, unbiased initiatives.
Can even construct early viewers engagement.
Instance: A Caribbean Movie May Be Financed By:
Fairness from personal Caribbean traders
Pre-sales to broadcasters or streamers within the diaspora
Tax credit from the Dominican Republic or Trinidad
Co-production take care of Canada or the UK
Native tourism board grants for showcasing the island
Completion bond to reassure worldwide companions.
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