Israel plans to launch $14m fund to attract international productions

The Israeli government is planning to launch a $14m (NIS 45m) fund over the next two years for foreign films and TV series that choose to shoot in the country, according to Israeli finance minister Avigdor Lieberman.

The money will be distributed under the plan by covering 25% of a foreign film crew’s expenses.

The programme is in cooperation with the ministries of culture and sport, economy, foreign affairs and tourism, to entice productions to the country and is expected to come up for government approval on Sunday.

“This is a significant step toward positive branding of Israel in the world as a center for filming international movies and television shows by using its natural resources and unique historical sites,” said minister Lieberman. “Equally important, our decision will provide a livelihood for many Israelis who will participate in the various productions. Now is the time to support filmmaking in Israel.”

In a further attempt to improve its production profile, Israel announced at the Key Buyers Event: Digital in June that it will sign a bilateral co-production agreement with Russia. 

Incentive attempts

The Middle Eastern country was a popular filming location during the 1980s where it hosted big productions like Rambo 3, Chuck Norris's Delta Force and Sahara, starring Brooke Shields and Lambert Wilson. However, in the 1990s it lost business to rival countries who started offering enticing tax incentives.

Israel has since made several attempts to lure productions in with its own incentive schemes, including grants of up to $400,000 in 2011 as an attempt to lure foreign movie producers to Jerusalem. But few have taken them up on the offer.

However, the country has hosted some big projects over the years including The Insider starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe, Oscar-winning Schindler's List, Not Without My Daughter, The Debt, Adam Sandler comedy You Don't Mess with the Zohan and Natalie Portman directorial debut A Tale of Love and Darkness.