The land of tequila, tacos and Salma Hayek tempts filmmakers with old-world charm, new-age backdrops and heart-stopping beauty, plus a juicy incentive programme
The North American country of Mexico stretches between an ocean and a gulf, lying between the United States to the north and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast. Its extensive coastlines include the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Mexico has nice and warm people, unique food, art and archeology, pyramids, museums, haciendas and 6,000 miles of shoreline.
To add to the beauty Mexico is strewn snow mountains in the Sierras, rainy jungles in the Southeast and deserts in the Northwest. It also has the world’s top destinations like Acapulco, Cancun, Cozumel, Los Cabos and Patzcuaro. Mexico is ranked as the seventh major destination for foreign visitors. It is rich in history, tradition, culture and natural beauty. And its vivid locations offer an exceptional filming experience.
With 26 UNESCO world heritage sites, charming colonial towns and dozens of thrilling cities, there’s plenty to shoot in this country. Outside the cities, stunning Pacific beaches, stark deserts, mangrove swamps and swimming holes provide all you need for an ideal filming experience for a romantic or adventurous backdrop. Captivating, cosmopolitan and chaotic Mexico City and the country’s 32 states offer an incredible abundance of experiences, from laid-back and leisurely to upbeat to adrenalin-charging.
The diversity of Mexico will appeal to your sense of discovery. Explore the ancient culture of the Mayas and shoot at pristine beaches. Discover the east coast of Mexico, featuring 60 miles of the resort areas at Cancun and Riviera Maya, on the edge of the crystal line Caribbean Sea. Indulge in a luxurious spa, unwind on asecluded white sandy beach or dance the night away at one of Cancun’s fameddiscos.
Old World Mexico beckons from the western border of the country, with its famed jagged Pacific coastline and expansive brown sugar beaches. Western Mexico is known for its sleepy pueblo towns inviting exploration, world-class deep-sea fishing and excellent golf courses in the resort areas of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Manzanillo.
Incentive Support Programme
An incentive of up to 17.5 per cent on the total production costs spend in Mexico is the main attraction when it comes to incentives in Mexico. It consists of a cash back applicable to the expenses incurred and verifiable caused the refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) in the country. In addition, there’s an outline of comprehensive support along with a high-value production experience to shoot in the country. The tax rebate programme requires the existence of a tax payer registered in Mexico. An appeal to companies already established with production facilities can help for further development of your project. The incentive grant per project can not have a ceiling (only the percentage maximum assigned to each production) beyond the availability of funds at registration of the project film. The programme is $ 20 million guaranteed, scalable up to a cap of $ 40 million per year. This means that projects can be supported by a stop in Mexico to investment $ 260 million, which suggests that it has a lot more than sufficient.
Who Is Eligible?
Any film which has spent at least 70 million pesos in its phase development and production or $ 20 million in post-production costs in Mexico qualifies for financial reimbursement. The cost of production and post-production should reach a minimum of 70 million pesos.
Basic Incentive
The return of the Value Added Tax (VAT) up to 16 per cent (11 per cent at border) already exists as a stimulus to export of goods and services in recent years. TheVAT accounts, on average, 10 per cent of total expenditure in Mexico. Since not all items of expenditure are applicable in a film made in Mexico. The programme also provides reimbursement up to 7.5 per cent of total spending in Mexico found on the concepts outlined above. The accumulated benefits will be both up to a 17.5 per cent net of costs applicable productionand post-production, performed in Mexico.
A producer may receive back up to 17.5 per cent of qualifying expenditure in Mexico, resulting from the combination of the VAT refund and Funds. However, there is a cap on expenditure. This amount of refund, together with the Integrated Service Platform and supports State and municipal governments provides 2.5 per cent extra returns.
