Record number of film productions in Fiji last year

Some 56 film productions were hosted in Fiji last year which is the highest number ever recorded.

According to Film Fiji, there were eight major rebate productions that were budgeted for an estimated value of $135 million.

The productions brought an estimated FJ$43 million (US$20.7 million) directly into Fiji’s economy generating FJ$120.4 million (just over US$58 million) in new economic activity.

Major productions included Survivor, Standard with a Million Bucks and Kicking and Screaming which came from American studios CBS, Viacom/MTV and Fox/Lionsgate.

The Indian production ‘Jaani’ was also produced in Fiji.

Film Fiji CEO, Dallas Foon, says the interest for filming in Fiji has significantly grown over the past few years and they continue to receive enquiries on a daily basis from film makers in USA, India, Asia and Europe.

Film Fiji Chairperson, Shaenaz Voss, says Fiji’s production slate is full for the first half of 2017 with the pre-production teams from the various studios are in the country or arriving within the next few weeks.

Attorney General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, says the rebates offered to production companies show that Fiji is serious about promoting itself as an intentional destination of choice for major film productions.

He says in 2016 they paid out nearly FJ$20 million (US$9.6 million) in rebates to production companies and saw a tremendous return on investment from the economic activity they are able to generate.

SOURCE: FIJI VILLAGE