Between March and May 2025, three new productions filmed in Colombia with the support of the incentives provided by Law 1556 of 2012 have been released on international platforms and in theaters. This law promotes the local audiovisual industry through the Cash Rebate (FFC), which offers cash rebates for hiring logistical and audiovisual services in the country, and the Transferable Tax Credit (CINA), which grant a 35% tax discount on expenditures made on audiovisual services in Colombia.
Medusa, a CINA-supported production, premiered on Netflix on March 5.. Starring Juana Acosta, Manolo Cardona, Sebastián Martínez, Carlos Torres, Mabel Moreno, and Diego Trujillo, the story follows the disappearance of the CEO of a powerful conglomerate after a mysterious yacht explosion, triggering a complex family power struggle. The series was filmed in Bogotá, Santa Marta, and Barranquilla, with standout locations such as La Aleta del Tiburón and the Malecón del Río. Production services in Colombia were provided by TIS Productions.
The reality show Ex on the Beach: Mexico, produced by MTV and supported by the CINA incentive, premiered on Paramount+ on March 18. The Colombian shoot, serviced by TIS Productions, took place on the Barú Peninsula. This season follows a group of singles hoping for a fresh start in love—until their exes arrive to rekindle old flames or settle scores. The Brazil and Netherlands editions, also filmed in Colombia, are set to premiere on May 22 and 11, respectively.
Meanwhile, the film The Luckiest Man in America, which benefited from the FFC, premiered in U.S. theaters on April 4. Set in 1984, this dramedy tells the story of an ice cream truck driver who enters a TV game show with a secret formula for endless winnings—until the producers begin to suspect his true intentions. Directed by Samir Oliveros and starring Paul Walter Hauser, Walton Goggins, and Maisie Williams, the film was shot in Colombia at locations such as Coliseo Live, TIS Productions, and Guaymaral, with production services by Jaguar Bite.
“I’ll be back to shoot more films or TV series in Colombia because I had an amazing experience. The people here are hardworking and love film, music, arts, and culture. Everything you need is here. I’d definitely recommend it—any filmmaker or actor should come, see what it’s about, and enjoy it as much as I did.” — Paul Walter Hauser
The horror film Rosario, also supported by the FFC, will premiere in U.S. theaters on May 2. Directed by Felipe Vargas, the story follows a young woman who must spend the night with her grandmother’s body, unaware that supernatural forces are about to awaken. Bogotá became the ideal stand-in for New York City, with soundstages built for the interiors and downtown streets transformed to simulate a winter blizzard. The film stars Emeraude Toubia (With Love) and David Dastmalchian (Dune, Oppenheimer), with production services by Jaguar Bite.
“The story takes place in a New York apartment building, and all the interior work was done on stages in Bogotá, Colombia. We worked with one of the most talented production designers I’ve ever collaborated with—easily among the best. The detail was exquisite. They created a world that felt authentic and real. For the exterior scenes during a blizzard in NYC, we filmed in downtown Bogotá, where we found a corner that resembled the city. They brought in ice, fake snow… it was magical.” — David Dastmalchian
Among the most recent releases is Champeta, The Rhythm of the Earth, a CINA-supported series that debuted on Disney+ on February 3. Set in the Colombian Caribbean, it features original music by Mr. Black El Presidente and stars Daniela Trujillo and Marlon Moreno. The production was carried out in Colombia by Vista Productions INC. Also released was Until You Burn, supported by the FFC and produced by Caracol TV, which premiered on Netflix on February 19. Finally, on April 17, the equestrian simulation game Rival Stars Horse Racing—a CINA-supported project developed by PikPok, a studio with operations in New Zealand and Colombia—was launched.
Looking ahead, several more productions supported by Law 1556 incentives are expected to premiere later this year, including Consuelo (Season 2), Steelworks, Thirty-Nine, Eva Lasting (Season 3), as well as the FFC-supported titles María la Caprichosa and Work It Out Wombats (Season 2).
