Uzbekistan has approved a new film rebate programme offering foreign productions up to 4 billion soums (around U.S.$315,000) in reimbursement as it seeks to attract international filmmakers and boost tourism through cinema.
The Cabinet of Ministers has adopted new regulations introducing a tiered reimbursement system for foreign film and television productions. Under the programme, producers will be able to recover between 10% and 25% of eligible local production expenses, depending on the size of their investment, with compensation capped at 4 billion soums per project.
Applications will be submitted through the new Film in Uzbekistan platform, which is scheduled to launch before 1 November. Foreign studios will be required to partner with an accredited local production company and provide documentation verifying all eligible expenditure. Only goods and services purchased from Uzbek tax residents will qualify for reimbursement.
The initiative forms part of Uzbekistan's broader strategy to develop film tourism and attract international investment into its creative industries. Alongside the rebate programme, authorities plan to publish a nationwide catalogue of filming locations, historical landmarks and production facilities to make it easier for foreign studios to film in the country.
Film rebate schemes have become one of the main tools countries use to compete for major international productions.
New Zealand, for example, offers a 20% cash rebate, with an additional 5% incentive for projects delivering wider economic benefits. The programme helped establish the country as a global filming destination through productions including The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and the Avatar sequels, generating billions of dollars in tourism and production spending.
The United Kingdom provides a 25% tax credit for qualifying film and high-end television productions, helping to attract major projects from studios including Disney, Warner Bros. and Marvel. Australia also offers rebates of up to 40%, while India provides reimbursements of up to 40% for qualifying international productions, reflecting growing global competition to attract film investment.
Uzbekistan first introduced a film rebate mechanism in 2020, offering a 20% reimbursement for foreign productions. The latest regulations significantly expand the programme by increasing the maximum rebate to 25% and raising the compensation cap to 4 billion soums, making the country more competitive in the global production market.
Officials hope the initiative will not only attract international filmmakers but also create jobs for local production companies, encourage skills development across the film industry, and showcase Uzbekistan's historic sites and landscapes to audiences worldwide.
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