Turkey

Turkey Film Incentive Overview

The Turkey Film Incentive offers up to a 30% cash rebate on eligible production expenditures incurred in Turkey. Overseen by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Turkey Film Incentive supports international co-productions, feature films, documentaries, and high-end TV series. Qualifying expenses include crew wages, equipment rental, location fees, and post-production services.

To qualify for the Turkey Film Incentive, productions must partner with a Turkish production company and pass content and cultural review. With its historical architecture, modern studios, and favorable exchange rates, the Turkey Film Incentive has become increasingly attractive to global filmmakers.

Hoodlum Introduction

Hoodlum Film Fixers facilitates your access to the Turkey Film Incentive, ensuring compliance from development through post. We manage local partnerships, rebate applications, and government approvals. Our on-the-ground team in Istanbul helps you meet all criteria of the Turkey Film Incentive and delivers hands-on support for a smooth, cost-effective shoot in Turkey.

Incentives Offered

Rebate Structure

For International Productions:

• 12.5% cash rebate on qualifying expenses for budgets between $100,000 and $499,999
• 15% cash rebate on qualifying expenses for budgets between $500,000 and $999,999
• 30% cash rebate on qualifying expenses for budgets over $1,000,000

For Turkish Productions:

• 30% rebate on eligible local expenditures with no publicly stated maximum cap

Additional Incentives

• Local Labor Bonus: 10–20% additional rebate for employing Turkish cast and crew, based on role and percentage of local labor used
• No Cap for Foreign Spend: Larger-budget productions benefit from no upper rebate cap for international spend managed through a local production partner

Eligibility Criteria

International Productions

• Minimum Spend: $100,000 in Turkey
• Qualifying Expenses: A minimum percentage of the total production budget must be spent in Turkey (typically 50% or more)
• Production Types: Feature films, documentaries, television series, and commercials
• Local Partner Requirement: Foreign productions must partner with a registered Turkish production company

Turkish Productions

• Minimum Spend: 6,000,000 TL
• Qualifying Expenses: Expenses must be incurred within Turkey on local goods and services
• Production Types: Films and series eligible under national support laws and cultural test evaluation

Additional Requirements

• Application Process: Must apply before production begins
• Documentation: Must submit a full script, detailed production schedule, budget, and list of key personnel
• Compliance: All productions must comply with Ministry of Culture and Tourism regulations and cultural test approval

Minimum Qualified Production Expenditure (QPE) per Project

Feature Films:

• Foreign Productions: $100,000
• Turkish Productions: 6,000,000 TL

Television Series:

• Standard Productions: $100,000
• High-end International Series: $500,000+ per season

Documentaries and Animation: $100,000

Post-Production Projects: $100,000

Commercials: $30,000

Accepted Production Categories

The Turkish Film Rebate Program accepts a wide range of production types, including:

• Feature Films
• Television Series (Scripted and Unscripted)
• Documentaries
• Commercials
• Animation
• Game Shows
• Pilots
• Post-Production Projects
• Music Videos
• Video Games

Qualifying Production Expenditures (QPE)

Pre-Production Expenditures

• Script development
• Location scouting
• Casting
• Storyboarding and concept development
• Office setup and administrative costs

Production Expenditures

Cast and Crew Salaries and Fees:

• Local and international actors
• Directors, producers, DOPs, and crew
• Freelance professionals

Professional Services:

• Local producers, screenwriters, editors, cinematographers, etc.

Labor Costs:

• Local labor costs and associated taxes and benefits

Equipment Rental Fees:

• Camera, lighting, sound, grip equipment
• Specialized filming equipment

Location Fees:

• Location permits and rentals

Wardrobe and Costume Expenses:

• Costume design, rental, and purchase
• Wardrobe maintenance

Set Design and Construction:

• Construction and decoration of sets
• Props and design services

Special Effects and Stunts:

• VFX, SFX
• Stunt coordination and equipment

Catering and Services:

• On-set catering and craft services
• Support personnel

Specialized Services:

• Post-production
• Drone and aerial filming
• Sound and color grading

Accommodation and Transport:

• Hotel and lodging for cast and crew
• Ground transport, drivers, fuel

Travel:

• International and domestic airfare
• Travel agency and logistics

Miscellaneous:

• Office supplies and communication
• Insurance, permits, licensing

Post-Production Expenditures

• Editing and color grading
• Sound design and ADR
• VFX and CGI
• Music composition and licensing
• Equipment and software rental

Non-Qualifying Expenditures

The Turkish rebate program excludes:

• Expenses incurred outside of Turkey
• Marketing, promotion, and distribution costs
• Deferred payments and non-cash transactions
• Development costs not directly linked to production

Application Proces

Pre-Production

• Check Eligibility: Ensure production meets requirements and passes cultural test
• Partner with Local Company: Must be submitted by a registered Turkish production company

Application Submission

• Submit full application to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism before filming begins
• Required documents: script, production schedule, budget, cast and crew list

Application Review

• Application reviewed and assessed for cultural relevance, economic impact, and feasibility
• If approved, filming may commence under the rebate framework

Post-Production Submission

• Submit proof of expenditures, receipts, and audit documentation
• Government verifies qualifying spend through auditing

Rebate Disbursement

• Upon approval of final spend, rebate is paid to the production company in Turkish Lira

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.