Colombia

Colombia Film Incentive Overview

The Colombia Film Incentive offers one of the most generous rebate programs in Latin America, providing up to 60% cash back on qualifying expenditures. The Colombia Film Incentive applies to international productions including feature films, TV series, documentaries, and animation. To access the Colombia Film Incentive, productions must work with a registered Colombian production services company and meet minimum spend thresholds. Managed by Proimágenes Colombia and supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Colombia Film Incentive covers expenses such as local crew, services, equipment, accommodations, and post-production. With a well-established film infrastructure and diverse locations, the Colombia Film Incentive makes Colombia an ideal destination for cost-effective, high-quality productions.

Hoodlum Introduction (How can we help you secure the film incentives)

Hoodlum Film Fixers helps you navigate every step of the Colombia Film Incentive process. From initial budgeting to final rebate disbursement, our team ensures your project meets all Colombia Film Incentive requirements. We assist with local partnerships, prepare documentation, and guide you through Proimágenes’ application system to secure the Colombia Film Incentive. Our on-ground support includes crew sourcing, compliance monitoring, and location logistics—all aligned with the Colombia Film Incentive framework. With Hoodlum managing the paperwork and coordination, you can focus on creative execution while fully leveraging the Colombia Film Incentive.

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Incentive Offered

Colombia offers two main incentives for international film productions:

A 35% transferable tax credit on audiovisual and logistics services spent in Colombia. This credit can be sold or transferred on the open market.

CINA (Certificates of Audiovisual Investment in Colombia):

A 35% transferable tax credit on audiovisual and logistics services spent in Colombia. This credit can be sold or transferred on the open market.

FFC (Colombia Film Fund):

A cash rebate of 40% on audiovisual services and 20% on logistical services spent in Colombia.

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum spend: approximately $475,000 USD per project or $118,750 USD per episode in a series (minimum 4 episodes)

Applications are accepted year-round, but projects are submitted and approved until funds are depleted

Productions must work with a Colombian production services company pre-registered with the Ministry of Culture

A fiduciary/trust account and local auditing company are required for qualified spending

Overall Artistic Staff Requirements

Read the full document here: Colombia National Tax Incentive – Requirements 06062024.pdf – Google Drive

What is the minimum QPE per project

Feature Films:

Eligible for reimbursement of up to 40% of expenses in film and video services hired through Colombian companies

Music Videos:

Eligible for reimbursement, with a limit of up to 20 videos with an average cost per video of $23,750 USD

Web Series:

Eligible, with a limit of up to 20 episodes with an average value per episode of $23,750 USD

Video Games:

Eligible for reimbursement, with a limit of up to 5 videos or works with an average value per video or work of $95,000 USD

Advertisements:

Eligible for reimbursement, with a limit of up to 5 videos or works with an average value per video or work of $95,000 USD

Post-production:

Eligible for reimbursement of up to $95,000 USD for works that only carry out the postproduction component in Colombia

Production Categories Accepted

• Feature Films
• Series / Reality TV (Blend of Fact & Fiction)
• Music Videos
• Web Series
• Video Games
• Advertisements
• Postproduction

Qualifying Production Expenditures (QPE)

Conditions

SMLMV (Salarios Minimos Lagales Mensuales Vigentes):
The current Minimum Legal Monthly Wage (SMLMV) is 1,300,000 COP.
To calculate the total budget in COP, multiply the budget limit by the SMLMV.
Example:
7,060 * 1,300,000 = 3,939.41 COP (equivalent to $1 USD).

Ordinary Conditions

Budget Limit:
The total budget, including promotional expenses, cannot exceed 7,060 SMLMV (approximately $2.3M).

Pre-Production Expenditures

• Location scouting and management: Fees for scouting and managing locations in Colombia.
• Casting: Costs associated with casting Colombian actors or talent.
• Pre-production personnel: Salaries and fees for Colombian crew members during pre-production.

Production Expenditures

• Colombian crew: Salaries and benefits for Colombian crew members, including directors, producers, and technicians.
• Talent fees: Fees paid to Colombian actors or talent.
• Location fees: Rentals or fees for using locations in Colombia.
• Equipment rentals: Rentals of film equipment, such as cameras, lighting, and grip equipment, from Colombian companies.
• Special effects: Costs associated with special effects, such as pyrotechnics, stunts, or visual effects, produced in Colombia.

Post Production Expenditures

• Editing and visual effects: Costs associated with editing and visual effects services provided by Colombian companies.
• Sound design and mixing: Costs associated with sound design and mixing services provided by Colombian companies.

Utilities:

• Electricity
• Water
• Gas
• Internet

Equipment Rentals:

• Camera equipment
• Lighting equipment
• Grip equipment
• Sound equipment
• Specialized equipment

Accommodation:

• Hotel stays

Services:

• Catering
• Transportation
• Location fees
• Equipment rental
• Casting services
• Crew services

Specialized Services:

• Visual effects
• Post-production services
• Sound design
• Music composition
• Set construction
• Costume design
• Special effects

Travel:

• Flights
• Airport taxes

Miscellaneous:

• Insurance
• Permits
• Customs fees
• Other production expenses

Professional Costs:

• Director fees
• Producer fees
• Screenwriter fees

Labour Costs:

• Cast fees
• Crew wages
• Extras fees

Application Process

Ordinary Conditions (Up to 7,060 SMLMV):

• Estimated Approval Time: 4 to 10 weeks.
• Initial Review: 20 workdays (about 4 weeks), unless clarifications or additional documents are required.
• Response Time: The producer has 3 months to respond to the request.
• After receiving the response, the commission will take an additional 10-15 workdays (2 to 3 weeks) to provide final approval.

Special Conditions (Up to 17,650 SMLMV):

• Estimated Approval Time: 5 to 12 weeks.
• Initial Review: 30 workdays (about 5 weeks), unless clarifications or additional documents are required.
• Response Time: The producer has 3 months to respond to the request.
• After receiving the response, the commission will take an additional 10-15 workdays (2 to 3 weeks) to provide final approval.

Ready to maximize your film incentives?

Partner with Hoodlum Film Fixers to navigate rebate programs, streamline compliance, and connect with trusted local partners. Let us handle the logistics so you can focus on creating. Contact us today to get started.