Jamaica's position as a prime location for films, and the benefits of the Co- Production Treaty with the United Kingdom (UK) were highlighted at a special information reception for UK film producers, hosted by Jamaica Trade and Invest (formerly JAMPRO), at the Jamaican High Commission in London on April 29.

The UK-Jamaica Co-Production Treaty was signed in April last year in Kingston and the UK Parliament ratified the agreement last November. The treaty provides a number of advantages, and productions are eligible to apply for UK Film Council funding and for the benefits of the UK's tax relief system. Films made as official co-productions are not required to pass the Cultural Test for British films.

Trade Commissioner, Laurence Jones told the producers that the island's indigenous film industry has matured in recent years and that there were a number of experienced production houses that offered a wide range of services.

"Since the establishment of the Jamaica Film Commission in 1984, we have serviced over 3,000 film products ranging from full length films to TV documentaries. Producers interested in doing projects in Jamaica will be assisted by the film commissioner from the integral stages of production to wrap.

Jamaica has the resources you require to make successful films at relatively low costs in a business friendly environment," Mr. Jones said.

Isobel Davis of the UK Film Council said the treaty was a gateway to public funding. She also spoke of the wide range of benefits, the criterion for eligibility and gave details of the funding available from the UK Film Council as well as the range of tax concessions that are available.

High Commissioner Burchell Whiteman said the Co-production Treaty represented continuity, as it was signed under the previous administration and is now being honoured and actively pursued by the current administration.

He said Jamaica had a long history of working with international film producers, and an existing shorter history of home grown Jamaican creators of film, who have been training and developing in the country, the range of skilled technicians and support staff that the industry needed.

JIS