International
Mauritius launches 30 per cent film rebate scheme to attract film industry
NEW DELHI: Mauritius has launched a new Film Rebate Scheme allowing for a 30 per cent refund on all the Qualifying Production Expenditures (QPE) incurred by film producers in respect of their projects in Mauritius.
The scheme was officially launched at a gala event by the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance & Economic Development Xavier-Luc Duval in the presence of Minister of Arts and Culture Mookhesswur Choonee and Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff.
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Some 250 professionals including directors, producers, filmmakers, artists and representatives of production houses, modelling agencies and training schools attended the launch.
In his address, Duval, the architect of the Rebate Scheme, highlighted the size and importance of the film industry and its business potential for Mauritius. He said the industry is expected to generate some MUR 500 million in 2014 while it is estimated that it will bring about MUR 1 billion annually in foreign exchange.
In its endeavour to develop new sectors of activity within the creative arts industry, the Mauritian Government through the Board of Investment elaborated a framework to attract film shooting and post-production activities in Mauritius. This was implemented in the wake of an announcement in the 2012 National Budget.
The Industry is seen as a serious and viable addition to the economy. This scheme puts Mauritius at-par with other destinations like Malaysia and Abu-Dhabi which offer a 30 per cent rebate.
Duval stated that the Government will intensify the marketing of the scheme through the Board of Investment. The industry is expected to generate employment for SMEs, designers, artists, hoteliers, with significant beneficial spillover effects on other sectors like tourism, trade, travel, transport and retail.
Furthermore, the industry will provide great exposure and visibility to the Mauritian tourism industry in various source markets such as India, China and Europe. The Board of Investment has recorded an increasing number of potential interests from local producers as well as production houses from China, South Africa and India. So far, expressions of interest have been received mostly by Indian producers.
Choonee emphasized the strong relationship and special sense of belonging and brotherhood between India and Mauritius. The country has nurtured this special bond over decades. Minister Choonee stressed the government’s vision to develop the film industry as another pillar of the economy.
Special guest Jackie Shroff firmly believes that Mauritius should start producing movies. The actor underlined the importance of having a specialised school offering courses on script-writing and editing as well as crash courses on film-making.
He praised Mauritius and said he was overwhelmed by the hospitality of Mauritians. He commended VPM Duval’s initiative for the development and promotion of the new film industry.
International
Council of Europe to unveil new TV and streaming co-production convention
Series Mania Forum to host landmark signing to boost global TV collaboration
LILLE: The small screen is getting a big policy push. At this year’s Series Mania Forum in Lille, Alain Berset will take centre stage to chair the opening ceremony for a new international convention aimed at reshaping how television and streaming series are co-produced across borders.
Set for March 26 at the Théâtre Marie Curie in Lille Grand Palais, the signing marks the debut of the first legal framework dedicated specifically to the independent co-production of series. In an industry where stories travel faster than ever, the move aims to make collaboration smoother, fairer and more transparent.
Backed by the Council of Europe, the convention is designed to strengthen cultural ties, give independent producers a firmer footing, and bring greater clarity to deals in a rapidly evolving content landscape. With streaming platforms fuelling a surge in global storytelling, the timing feels deliberate.
Council of Europe secretary general Alain Berset, underscored the cultural heft of series today, noting how they carry voices and viewpoints across borders. He called on member states and countries beyond Europe to sign on, framing the initiative as a way to turn culture into a tool for cooperation and democratic exchange.
For Series Mania founder and general director Laurence Herszberg, hosting the signing is both symbolic and strategic. She described the convention as a step that could widen the range of stories reaching audiences, staying true to the forum’s long-standing mission of championing diverse storytelling.
The ceremony will unfold alongside the Lille Dialogues, a high-level summit that gathers policymakers and industry leaders to debate the future of Europe’s audiovisual sector. Berset is also set to deliver the opening address there, adding political weight to a week already rich in creative ambition.
In short, as screens multiply and borders blur, Europe is putting a framework in place to ensure that storytelling keeps pace, collaboratively and coherently.
