At the Colombia Film Commission of Proimágenes Colombia, we are committed to continuously improving the audiovisual incentive system to better serve local and international productions. The 2024 Resource Allocation Manual (MAR) includes significant updates that streamline processes, reduce administrative procedures, and offer greater flexibility for producers seeking to access the benefits of Law 1556.

These updates are the result of an extensive consultation process with the industry. We gathered insights and analyzed proposals to ensure the incentives truly respond to the sector's needs. Working alongside the Colombia Film Promotion Committee, we have implemented changes that make it easier to bring productions to life in Colombia.

What’s new, and how do these updates benefit producers?

Faster Applications

Introducing a pre-registration system for frequent producers is one of the most significant improvements. With this update, those who regularly access the incentives must only register once every two years, significantly reducing paperwork for future applications.

Additionally, the seriousness coverage requirement is now proportional to the size of the project, ensuring that smaller productions can participate more quickly without facing disproportionate upfront costs.

More Flexibility in Execution and Budget Management

We understand that every production has different needs. The new MAR allows for more adaptable timelines:

• Smaller projects can be executed within shorter periods.
• Larger productions can benefit from extended timeframes within the established limits.
• Projects can now close according to their schedules without being tied to standard deadlines.

Moreover, we have increased the budget expansion cap from 20% to 50%, allowing producers to cover additional expenses without requiring modifications to the Colombia Filming Contract.

Better Adaptation for Advertising and Music Videos

Short-format productions like advertising and music videos will now have a more flexible framework recognizing their agile nature. Key updates include:

• More flexible minimum spending, aligned with the format.
• The ability to submit a preliminary idea for advertising without needing a finished product at the application stage.

These changes remove provisions that previously limited the access of short-format projects to the incentives.

Greater Clarity and Transparency

To ensure producers have a more precise, predictable framework, we have improved the wording of the MAR, eliminating ambiguities and strengthening legal certainty. Updates include:

• More explicit guidelines for licenses and authorizations ensure a well-regulated use of audiovisual materials in promoting Colombia as a filming destination.
• Refined rules on project withdrawals, removing previous restrictions for productions that cannot continue due to external factors.
• The formal introduction of the withdrawal mechanism allows producers to step away from a project in an orderly manner without disproportionate penalties.

The Colombia Film Commission: Supporting Your Productions

At the Colombia Film Commission, we aim to make Colombia a leading audiovisual hub by ensuring that our incentive system is competitive, efficient, and accessible. The MAR 2024 reflects our commitment to supporting the industry, making it easier for productions of all sizes and formats to take advantage of the incentives available.

These updates simplify processes and reinforce Colombia’s position as a premier filming destination. The country offers diverse locations, highly skilled crews, and one of the most attractive incentive programs in the region.

The audiovisual industry is a key driver of economic and cultural development in Colombia. With the MAR 2024, we continue to pave the way for more productions to thrive in our country.