The government today decided to allocate an additional 206,384 euros in co-financing for the shooting of foreign films – “Invisible Fight” and “Sulis” – in Latvia, informed Ministry of Culture (KM) Lita Kokale, Head of Public Relations Department.
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She pointed out that the funding allocated for the filming of these two films in Latvia, as projected by the film project applicants, will bring 390,551 euros to the state budget in tax revenues related to the eligible costs of the film project.
Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis (NA) stressed that the film industry has been significantly affected by the security measures taken to limit the spread of Covid-19. In his view, the industry faces significant operational challenges both in terms of international movement restrictions and in terms of meeting epidemiological safety requirements.
“Therefore, the state budget co-financing for the filming of foreign films in Latvia is a significant support for the operation of companies in the sector, moreover, the investment brings a large return to our state budget in tax revenues related to film project eligible costs – accommodation, catering, transport services and others,” said Puntulis.
The representative of the Ministry of Culture drew attention to the fact that the 2021 state budget co-financing competition for foreign films in Latvia was announced on January 8 and by January 31 the project received 13 project applications, the total planned eligible costs in Latvia were 12.9 million euros. the total budget is 41.7 million euros. The submitted project applications applied for state budget co-financing in the amount of 2.5 million euros with an aid intensity of 20%. National Cinema Center (NCC) supported six projects with 1.1 million euros of funding available from the state budget. Projects for which there was insufficient funding were placed on a reserve list.
In July, the NCC received project withdrawals from two applicants included in the reserve list for the filming of foreign films, thus reducing the required additional funding increase from the initially planned EUR 481,089 to EUR 206,384.
Head of NKC Dita Rietuma pointed out that upon receipt of a withdrawal from a Latvian state co-financed foreign filmmaker to implement the project, the opportunity is given to the next participants of the competition, who have been included in the reserve or waiting list. She explained that the reserve list includes the film projects “Invisible Fight” and “Juice”. The development of the film “Invisible Fight” has already started, receiving partial funding, while the film “Juice” is planned to start already in September.
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