Manuel Claro: “Portugal Film Commission features a 30% Cash Rebate system”

Portugal will have a new general regulatory framework for the promotion of the film and audiovisual industry, with incentives to encourage Portuguese creativity and international co-productions. To talk about these topics and more, Señal News interviewed Manuel Claro, Film Commissioner at Portugal Film Commission, who highlighted the main incentives offered by the Institution.

How would you define the current audiovisual production sector in Portugal?
“The pandemic has unequivocally brought times of uncertainty and a great need for readjustment, in all sectors, but very much and sufferably so in the cultural and, specifically, in the film and audiovisual industry. This means that now, as the country gradually opens its borders, both to the world and to its own population, there’s an added effort to be made in order to bring back the interest and the investment (both emotional and material) of companies and people to the industry. The perspectives for film and audiovisual in 2022 are very much positive ones and demonstrate the will power to boost the sector and, of course, validate its potential and all the work made throughout the last years."

Since January 2022, digital platforms will have to invest 1% in Portuguese original productions due to the new Cinema law. What is your opinion about it?
“Allow us to correct that premiss: from January 2022, digital platforms will have to invest 4% in Portuguese original productions, and will be taxed by 1% of their profit, to revert to the Film and Audiovisual Institute.The transposition of this directive to the Portuguese reality is an opportunity to create positive dynamic shifts into the film and audiovisual industry, with expectations raising for having more Portuguese productions and also more decision centres at play. This is expected to be a good formula for more diverse content, with a positive impact on the resources to put through the objectives for the sector in the next years, namely through the Portuguese Film and Audiovisual Institute.”

What are the main benefits offered by Portugal Film Commission to international producers?
“The Portuguese Support Fund for Tourism, Film and Audiovisual, created in 2018, provides a set of benefits that are very attractive for international productions. We highlight the 30% Cash Rebate system, which applies to Film, Audiovisual and VOD productions with a minimum expenditure in Portugal of €500m for fiction or animation projects and €250m for documentary or post-production, the upfront payments in instalments and decision in 20 working days, a tailor-made Scouting Programme, and co-production treaties with more than 60 countries. The Portugal Film Commission is responsible for promoting these benefits, alongside a set of reasons why you can’t skip filming in Portugal: from short-distanced locations that vary from classical architecture, enchanted forests, world-renowned modern buildings, paradisaic beaches, to secluded mountain villages, all wrapped in year-round sunny days and great accommodation, food, and health care, and skilled professionals with great experience in working on international projects.”

Which is Portugal potential?
“Portugal’s potential is much connected to its intrinsic features, of course, but also to how it translates its authenticity, its specificities, into factors that attract investment and project development. The cultural diversity of the country, rooted in century-long connections to the whole world, along with emergent creative hubs that boost both tradition and innovation, add to the attractiveness factor of several metropolitan areas along the country, altogether with outstanding resilience, now more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Portugal is considered one of the top 3 safest countries to live in, with an affordable and welcoming way of living– an unavoidable visiting card. It is the combination of all these natural, historic, contemporary, and social features that make Portugal one of the A-list countries to be filming in. The number of requests the Portugal Film Commission gets every day is a proof of how curious and eager international teams are to come and work here, as we can testify by great projects that have been filmed and developed with Portuguese producers.”

By Romina Rodríguez