Cannes: Chile plans filming incentive support

As part of its growing international ambitions, Chile signed a memorandum of understanding with Pinewood Studios last autumn that’s intended to lead to a new filming facility in Chile.

“Education, training and skills development is a key part of the (Pinewood) project to increase the talent pool available,” said Raj Uttamchandani, executive director of Chile Studio Group, in comments to Variety. “Pinewood already has several initiatives in this area and we would work with them as well as other partners for this.”

American filmmaker Eli Roth has filmed two movies in Chile - including The Green Inferno (pictured) - and praised the country while suggesting ways to make improvements.

“Plane tickets are expensive; if you can find a way to reduce those prices or bring them in as a partner on the film to promote the country as a film centre, it can really thrive,” Roth told Variety.

“The crews are fantastic. They work differently than American crews, but they’re excellent and can get done anything you want.”

Separately, Screen reports that Chile is also launching new funds to back separate co-productions being made with Argentina and Brazil in a bid to boost working relationships with its South American neighbours. Chilean officials are also pursuing development lines to expand existing co-production agreements with countries like Belgium, Italy and Canada.

Image: Eduardo Moreno