Information Americas, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, June 24, 2025: With international demand for numerous content material on the rise and the Caribbean providing a number of the world’s most breathtaking filming places, many business leaders say the area is lacking a golden alternative to seize its share of the booming movie and tv market.
That message was clear on the second Cross Cultural Discussion board, hosted by CaribbeanTales Media Group in Bridgetown, Barbados from June 13-18th, the place stakeholders mentioned decolonizing co-production with movie producers world wide, together with the US, the UK, Canada, South Africa and the Caribbean. However the failure by many Caribbean nations to implement strong movie tax incentives and co-production treaties to draw main productions globally was additionally uncovered.
Regardless of rising worldwide competitors, solely a handful of Caribbean international locations — together with Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Cayman Islands — at the moment provide significant tax advantages or financing constructions for movie and TV productions.
Felicia J. Persaud, CEO of Make investments Caribbean, who moderated a panel on funding and financing on the occasion, advised Information Americas she was shocked to study that few Caribbean nations are tapping into this sector and placing legal guidelines in place to develop the sector and create cross border co-productions.
Success Tales Exist, However Gaps Stay
The Dominican Republic has change into a regional chief, providing a 25% transferable tax credit score, 18% VAT exemptions, and duty-free importation of movie tools. These insurance policies, mixed with numerous places and year-round filming situations, have attracted main worldwide productions to the nation.
Trinidad and Tobago gives rebates of as much as 35% on eligible bills, plus an extra 20% for hiring native labor, whereas Puerto Rico boasts a 40% tax credit score on native spend for residents and a 20% credit score for non-resident employees, making it a magnet for each Caribbean and Hollywood producers.
The Cayman Islands just lately entered the sport, providing money rebates of as much as 35%, alongside its tax-neutral enterprise atmosphere.
But, many different Caribbean nations — together with high locations like Barbados, St. Lucia, and Antigua — lack formal tax credit or structured packages to draw productions, limiting financial alternatives.
Kaye Greenidge, CEO of Make investments Barbados, confirmed on the discussion board that Barbados continues to be working towards finalizing a complete incentive system, regardless of present advantages like VAT exemptions for registered suppliers.
International Examples Present the Method
The significance of co-production treaties — formal agreements between international locations to collectively develop movie tasks — was additionally highlighted on the discussion board.
South Africa, for instance, has treaties with a number of nations, enabling producers to entry tax credit, financing, and native sources. Nevertheless, as Jackie Motsepe, COO of KZN Movie & Tourism Authority, confirmed that there are at the moment no co-production treaties between South Africa and any Caribbean nation, representing a missed alternative for cross-regional collaboration.
In distinction, Canada, the UK, and Australia have leveraged co-production treaties to develop their inventive industries. Canada alone has agreements with almost 60 international locations, enabling productions to entry vital tax credit, funding, and lowered danger by pooling sources.
“With out co-production treaties, Caribbean filmmakers face obstacles to financing and international distribution,” Persaud emphasised. “The area’s inventive expertise is simple — however coverage is lagging behind.”
A Name for Regional Motion
Business specialists agree: introducing film-friendly tax incentives and co-production agreements isn’t nearly attracting Hollywood blockbusters. It’s about creating jobs, constructing native manufacturing capability, and showcasing genuine Caribbean tales to the world.
“Different international locations are forward as a result of they’ve made movie a nationwide financial precedence,” Persaud mentioned. “We have to do the identical.”
The query stays: will extra Caribbean nations seize the second, or will the area proceed to observe profitable productions — and the financial advantages they bring about — go elsewhere?
Widespread Methods Movies Are Financed
- Fairness Funding
Non-public buyers or corporations contribute capital in change for a share of future earnings.
Excessive danger, excessive reward — they solely recoup cash if the movie is profitable.
Usually sourced from:
Non-public wealth (high-net-worth people)
Movie funds or funding teams
Manufacturing corporations
- Pre-Gross sales
Producers promote the rights to distribute the movie in particular international locations earlier than the movie is made.
Based mostly on the script, solid, or director’s repute.
Usually used as collateral to lift different financing (like loans).
Widespread in worldwide markets, particularly with recognizable expertise connected.
- Tax Incentives & Rebates
Governments provide money rebates, tax credit, or exemptions for movies shot of their nation.
Can cowl 20% to 40%+ of certified manufacturing spend in places like Canada, the UK, Puerto Rico, or the Dominican Republic.
Attracts productions to stimulate native economies.
- Co-Productions
Two or extra corporations from totally different international locations collaborate, sharing prices and entry to every nation’s incentives.
Requires co-production treaties or agreements.
Helps unfold danger, entry broader expertise swimming pools, and faucet into international financing.
- Hole Financing
A mortgage that covers the “hole” between confirmed funding (pre-sales, tax credit) and the full price range.
Secured towards future income streams, like remaining territories or post-sale revenues.
Thought of greater danger — lenders cost premium rates of interest.
- Completion Bonds
Insurance coverage that ensures the movie will probably be completed on time and inside price range.
Required by many buyers or lenders to scale back danger.
Completion bond corporations might step in to handle the manufacturing if points come up.
- Product Placement & Model Sponsorship
Manufacturers pay to function their merchandise inside the movie.
Can offset manufacturing prices.
Works greatest for mainstream, business movies with large enchantment.
- Grants & Public Funding
Non-repayable funds from movie commissions, arts councils, or cultural organizations.
Usually aimed toward supporting native expertise or culturally vital content material.
Quantities range, aggressive utility course of.
- Crowdfunding
Public contributions by platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo.
Usually used for smaller, impartial tasks.
May construct early viewers engagement.
Instance: A Caribbean Movie Would possibly Be Financed By:
Fairness from non-public Caribbean buyers
Pre-sales to broadcasters or streamers within the diaspora
Tax credit from the Dominican Republic or Trinidad
Co-production take care of Canada or the UK
Native tourism board grants for showcasing the island
Completion bond to reassure worldwide companions.
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