Poland launches 30% filming incentive

Poland is on the verge of officially launching a formal tax incentive for filmmakers.

The 30% cash rebate will be available through the Polish Film Institute, the organisation in charge of administering funds for qualifying productions. The annual budget is expected to be around €46m.

There are two more formal stages for the legislation to pass through before it is implemented – parliamentary approval followed by the president’s signature.

This is expected to happen by the autumn, with the incentive becoming actively available and open for applications soon after.

Film Commission Poland works closely with the Institute, facilitating location shoots, advising producers on co-production partners and providing logistical support across the board for filmmakers.

Film commissioner Tomasz Dabrowksi spoke to KFTV about the new incentive: “This is definitely a strategic move aimed at strengthening the Polish film industry and will showcase Polish talent - including actors, DoPs, set designer, make-up designers etc – internationally.”

“With a cash rebate at 30%, Poland will become an important player in central Europe.”

Poland will now be seen as a serious competitor to other central and eastern European countries, such as Hungary and Romania, that already offer established incentives.

Earlier this year, Netflix began filming a major new TV drama in various locations across Poland including Warsaw, Wroclaw (pictured), Lublin and Silesia. 1983 is an alternate-history drama that numbers celebrated Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland among its directors.

Photo via FreeImages.com/Eva Schuster.