FOCUS talks to Natacha Mora of Canary Islands Film
Natacha Mora operates as the coordinator for both the Audiovisual Department of the Canary Islands Government and Canary Islands Film, the umbrella organisation of the local film industry founded with the Canary Islands Government, the Film Commissions, the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC) and the local production professionals.
Natacha you attended FOCUS 2016. What brings you and Canary Islands Film back this year?
We will be coming to FOCUS with two major announcements. First, the improvement of our tax incentives for film production. In June 2017, the Spanish Government approved an increase in the tax incentives for films and TV series (animation, fiction and documentary). We offer a 40% tax rebate for international productions and a 40-45% tax credit for national productions and co-productions. All of this is compatible with a reduced corporate income tax rate of 4% as a ZEC entity.
Secondly, from 1st January 2017 companies carrying out audiovisual activities have been entitled to a 0% IGIC (Canarian VAT) on the purchases, expenses and services provided by third parties. This means that when the Canarian company buys or receives a service from a third party, it will be charged IGIC at a 0% rate.
Will you be putting special emphasis on promoting your 40% tax rebate incentive for foreign productions at FOCUS 2017?
Yes, because it is one of the best tax incentives in Europe, but we will also promote the 40-45% tax credit incentive for Spanish productions and co-productions. The Canary Island Special Zone will also be promoted for its low corporate income tax rate of 4%.
Take into account, that the Canary Islands Government approved industry grants this year of EUR3 million, which will assist co-production activity.
That’s not to mention the other benefits of filming in the Canary Islands:
- More than 4,000 hours of natural light in the year.
- Beautiful weather with an average temperature of 23 degrees throughout the year.
- We are a top tourist destination and we offer excellent connection by air and by sea and plenty of accommodation.
- We have excellent professionals, production services and rentals of all types of audiovisual material. Each island has its own film commission that can provide assistance before, during and after the production.
As you can see, it´s not just tax incentives that we offer.
What was the most common question you received from producers at FOCUS last year about the Canary Islands as a filming destination?
The question about tax incentives always comes up, but so does the question about experience and staff. Our answer is always the same: the audiovisual Industry in the Canary Islands has a long experience in national and international productions. In the last five years we have received more than 70 film productions, some of them being high-budget projects such as Jason Bourne, Exodus, Fast & Furious and Allied.
Our professionals have played a crucial role in hosting the ambitious productions that have been set in the Islands. The institutions and film commissions have always been there to provide the necessary information and assistance to find the best solution for the project at hand.
In a sentence, how would you describe FOCUS to a producer thinking of attending the event for the first time?
At FOCUS London you can network with plenty of companies and organisations within the film industry such as film commissions, producers, service providers, etc.
How do you like the FOCUS venue, exhibition layout, organisation and facilities?
Everything is easy to get to, the organisation is perfect and the Business Design Centre is a brilliant space to meet people within the industry and establish long-lasting contacts.
Many thanks Natacha. Looking forward to seeing you and the Canary Islands team at FOCUS 2017.
FOCUS 2017 will take place at London’s Business Design Centre, December 5th and 6th. To register your attendance for the event, click here.
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