Czech producers call for boosted filming incentives

Czech producers addressed the issue at a conference run by the country’s Audiovisual Producers’ Association (APA) at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival west of Prague, according to a Variety report.

International feature production in the Czech Republic fell slightly in 2017, marking a second year of decline according to APA figures.

The country still hosts high-profile shoots – including the currently-filming Hitler Youth satire Jojo Rabbit written and directed by New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi – but producers on the Karlovy Vary panel argued that some of the country’s appeal is due to Hungary’s production infrastructure reaching saturation point.

APA figures also revealed that the Czech Republic’s 20% filming incentive is on the lower end of the scale in the broader context of the 24 European Union countries that offer formal financial support for film and TV production.

The Czech government is reportedly engaging with the industry on the filming incentives issue, but there is no firm plan in place for changes in the near future.

See KFTV's production guide for more on filming in the Czech Republic.

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