Want to produce a film, music video, documentary or an animation feature? Then come to Jamaica! The country’s investment promotion agency is ready for you!
“Jamaica’s film industry is currently in a renaissance,” said film commissioner Renee Robinson. “It is changing and evolving to include local content and international content. There are at least 150 productions per year, including music videos and feature films.”
Robinson, who works out of the offices of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) in Kingston, said the country is committed to the continued development of the film industry, through the documenting and sharing of ideas, identifying growth opportunities and building industry capacity.
Globally, the film industry is estimated to be worth of billions of dollars. Various professionals are employed as actors, actresses, cameramen, producers, directors, managers and company representatives. The sector also provides secondary jobs for props, costume designers, caterers, sound, lighting and electronics workers.
Robinson said that Jamaica has been reaping benefits from the development of the local film industry, with an increase in the number of local and various international productions that come into the island, and local personnel and services that are utilized for these projects. “We are committed to the growth and development of Jamaica’s film industry and we have been moving to galvanize support for the sector,” she argued.
Growing the film industry is a critical part of JAMPRO’s strategy for economic development due to the opportunities for employment, content creation and wealth creation opportunities in ownership of intellectual property, said the film commissioner.
“The agency is hoping to see continued growth on the country’s 2016-2017 performance, which saw 125 film registrations; $747 million in film expenditure and 2,717 in jobs created. In 2018, we will be focusing on creating more jobs for Jamaicans working in the screen-based industries, stimulating financing and routes to market for commercially viable creative content, and reflecting global best practices and greater competitiveness,” she said.
2018 FILM AGENDA
JAMPRO is looking forward to upcoming film projects in 2018 as the Film Commission plans to execute targeted strategies for the development and the promotion of local productions. These projects include Storm Saulter’s sophomore feature film, Sprinter, as well as the continued facilitation of international projects like Idris Elba’s directorial debut, Yardie that created opportunities for the cast of Jamaican actors and actresses including Sheldon Shepherd, Shantol Jackson, Everaldo Creary and Antwayne Eccleston. Other projects include the adaptation of Marlon James’ A Brief History of Seven Killings, and the coming-of-age story based on Dr. Ava Brown’s book, The Mango Girl.
“The industry is high on the priority list for sector development, including plans to create and sustain information transfer among industry professionals,” said Film Commissioner Renee Robinson.
JAMPRO has also been working with industry stakeholders to create strategies that will build sustainable growth in the film, animation and music sectors. “We provide the vehicle for investment and a mechanism to measure film production expenditure which will result in jobs and ensures that key creative and their business partners are market ready and capitalizing on their own intellectual property,” Robinson said.
FOR MORE VISIT
http://www.jamaicatradeandinvest.org
JAMPRO is an agency of the Government of Jamaica’s Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation that promotes business opportunities in export and investment to the local and international private sector.
