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.
Afghanistan and Belarus have agreed to advance joint industrial projects, investment and technical cooperation following talks in Minsk, as Kabul s...
Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are drawing up a new programme aimed at boosting bilateral trade to $1 billion by 2030, as the two countries move to deep...
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom ...
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
American actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in TV shows such as Nashville and Heroes, has died at the age of 36, ABC News reported on Sunday, citing her representative.
Four artworks by 15th-century painter Antonello da Messina have been stolen overnight from the Museo Regionale di Messina, Italy's culture minister said on Sunday, expressing confidence in the police inquiry.
Cristiano Ronaldo has given one of his clearest indications yet that his playing career is nearing its end, saying the 2026-27 season will “probably” be his last in professional football.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has changed Eurovision Song Contest rules to allow a winning country to be blocked from hosting if security risks, armed conflict or geopolitical tensions make it unsafe to stage the event.
Each summer, Gabala becomes a gathering point for artists, musicians and audiences from across Azerbaijan and beyond.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment