Promotion of the cinematographic activity in Colombia, Law 814 of 2003 or Film Act, and promotion of the national territory as stage for the filming of cinematographic works, Law 1556 of 2012 or Colombia Filming Act
- To promote a progressive, harmonious and equitable development of national cinematography and, in general, to promote the cinematographic activity in Colombia.
- To promote the Colombian film industry and bring to light the national territory and its cultural heritage as elements for the filming of audiovisual productions; through the latter, encourage tourism and a positive image of the country, as well as the development of an outstanding cinematographic industry.
Law 814 of 2003 – Film Act
Adopts measures of promotion that enable productive return scenarios for various links of the film industry; stimulates investment in the production of the goods and services included in this cultural industry; empowers the film industry as a whole, fostering conditions of participation, protection and competitiveness.
Tax Incentives
They favor film producers with an important source of financing, encouraging individuals and private companies to make contributions to and invest in film projects with the granting of tax incentives.
Film Development Fund
As a mechanism to promote the Film Act, the Film Development Fund (Fondo para el Desarrollo Cinematográfico) receives money collected through the parafiscal fee paid by exhibitors, distributors and producers as a result of the screening of international cinematographic works in the country.
Exhibit Incentives
Film exhibitors will be able to deduct directly, as an incentive to their activity, 6.25 percentage points of the contribution on their charge when they screen Colombian short films, certified according to the norms.
Law 1556 of 2012 – Colombia Filming Act
Creation of the Colombia Film Fund: Special account of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, whose resources are destined to the payment of cash rebates, administrative costs and investment in promotional activities of Colombia as a film location.
Cash rebate: The companies producing cinematographic works – shot totally or partially within the Colombian territory – who have signed Colombia Film Contracts, will receive a cash rebate equivalent to 40% of the value of the expenses incurred in the country for cinematographic services contracted with Colombian companies and 20% of the value of expenses in hotels, food and transportation, provided that the conditions set out in the resource allocation manual are met.
- Strengthening of cinematographic production companies, increased production and co-production of feature films and national short films and a rise in audience numbers for Colombian films.
- Law 1556 of 2012 is expected to have as a result six films shot annually in the country.
Law 814:
Certificates in film investments and contributions
From 2004 to 2016: $83.228.650 USD
Through the Film Development Fund (FDC):
2004: $1.963.162,62 USD
2005: $3.388.362,07 USD
2006: $3.121.739,79 USD
2007: $3.956.022,81 USD
2008: $4.473.467,39 USD
2009: $4.172.908,10 USD
2010: $6.132.072,99 USD
2011: $9.793.471,38 USD
2012: $11.046.973,97 USD
2013: $10.495.478,62 USD
2014: $9.226.862,87 USD
2015: $7.191.777,08 USD
2016: $8.112.803,10 USD
Law 1556: $18.273.179 USD appropriated from 2013 to 2016 for the Colombia Film Fund.
$584.911.424 USD delivered in cash rebates, part of which is returned to the National Treasury through fees, taxes, and permits.
Through the Colombia Film Fund (FFC):
2013: $1.840.655 USD
2014: $5.764.040 USD
2015: $4.895.375 USD
2016: $5.757.494 USD
The evaluations take place once a year by the CNACC when the action plan is being discussed. Also, in 2014 the National Cinematography Meeting took place and the policies were evaluated, and, along with the Civil Society, a plan for the 2022 national cinematography was built. The main conlusion of the results of the 814 law, is the increase number of productions since 2003 and for the 1556 law, is the number of international production companies that are choosing Colombia as a shooting scenario and the number of jobs these companies are generating in the country, among others.