Estonia's film production aid scheme budget to double to €1m
According to the 2017 state budget as agreed upon by the Estonian government on Tuesday and introduced to the Riigikogu for approval on Wednesday afternoon, next year's culture budget will include an increase of the foreign capital-based film and TV series production aid scheme of pilot project Film Estonia to one million euros.
The objective of Film Estonia is to encourage foreign capital inflow to Estonia as well as the cooperation of Estonian and foreign film producers in the production of audiovisual works in Estonia, reported a press release from the Estonian Ministry of Culture.
Minister of Culture Indrek Saar found that the the doubling of the aid scheme project is an important step for the Estonian film industry as it will help contribute to the participation of Estonia's filmmakers in the international film industry as well as help stimulate the economy.
"Foreign producers are very interested in utilizing Esotnian film specialists, filming locations, cutting-edge technology and infrastructure as well as service providers for filming in Estonia," said Saar. "The pilot project is off to a good start by now and the increasing aid scheme will surely allow Estonia to become even more attractive than before to foreign filmmakers."
As of August, the balance of the fund for 2016 was nearly 60,000 euros and nearly 1.5 million euros in investments had reached Estonia. Film Estonia's final call for proposals for the year is slated to take place in November. Next year's doubled million-euro aid scheme is expected to bring in at least 3.3 million euros for Estonia in 2017.
Film Estonia, a pilot project dedicated to supporting foreign capital-based film and TV series production in Estonia, was launched this year. The aid scheme is funded by the Estonian Ministry of Culture and managed by the Estonian Film Institute (EFI).
Editor: Editor: Aili Vahtla