It’s Time to ‘Check the Czechs’ as New Audiovisual Fund Teases More Money and More Collabs: ‘We Are Ready to Be Competitive’

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It’s time to “Check the Czechs” as the new Audiovisual Fund comes into force. 

Vratislav Šlajer, head of the Audiovisual Producers’ Association, playfully suggested, ‘As my T-shirt says, you should investigate the Czechs since we are all set and prepared. There are numerous skilled producers here, so let’s explore together.’

At the Berlinale panel, Helena Bezděk Fraňková, CEO of the Czech Audiovisual Fund, shared details about the recent changes in legislation. Now, the country’s film production incentive has increased to 25% – from its previous 20% – and will reach 35% for digital production and animation projects.

She mentioned that the screen size doesn’t make a difference, whether it’s a large or small one. With the fundraising goal set at €18 million ($17.3 million) per project, the entire process will be divided into two phases starting from January 2026.

Bezděk Fraňková suggested making it less difficult by mentioning additional types of assistance they’ll provide: “We intend to help small screen projects during development and production, and we’ve designated a category named ‘infrastructure’. This will encompass cinemas, film festivals, and education. Furthermore, we have a category for video games and animation,” she added.

After receiving government approval, you might expect comprehensive instructions to be established around mid-year or towards the end of 2025. For further details about this new initiative, please refer to the information available here.

While in the interim, there are still many attractions to be found within the Czech Republic, particularly at Barrandov Studios, as asserted by its CEO Petr Tichý. This studio has recently been graced with “The Empress,” “The Wheel of Time” – a significant production that stands among the largest filmed in the nation – and “Nosferatu,” which garnered Beatrice Brentnerová an Oscar nomination for her work in production design.

Tichy mentioned that when choosing a location for your project, the collective wisdom of all these craftspeople could be incredibly valuable to you. Currently, we are filming the miniseries “Blade Runner 2099”, and all these service providers and artisans are eagerly awaiting to assist.

Regardless of rivalry from Hungary and Canada, Barrandov Studios has allocated nearly a billion Czech Koruna ($41.2 million) for constructing new filming sets. This will increase our total number of stages to 70, as we have two locations. Now is the perfect moment for us to enhance our industry.

Vratislav Šlajer’s also “very, very happy” about the new “better” fund.  

For the past decade, we’ve been evolving our investment fund, which has significantly bolstered the system’s stability. The Czech audiovisual industry has flourished, with an influx of fresh talent and innovative narrative styles. It’s widely recognized that cinema and television now share the spotlight. It’s fantastic to announce that the fund will be extending its support to series production as well.

Having a stable fund and stable tax incentives is “good news” for the industry. 

“Good vibes only,” he said. 

Indeed, there are challenges ahead, one of which is scaling up our operations. I’m excited about welcoming fresh talents and fostering global collaborations – not just in terms of finances, but also creatively. The creation of a dedicated animation and video game section is a crucial step for our future growth.

The budget of the fund might double in the future, he observed.  

Additional funding is on its way as the initiative garnered widespread support from all political parties. Despite upcoming elections in the fall, there’s a consensus that the audiovisual sector plays a crucial role.

According to Tichy, the Czech Republic remains a highly desirable destination for filming due to its skilled craftsmen, attractive incentives, and picturesque landscapes.

The industry is aware that the investment bubble is over.  

Šlajer stated: “Previously, these large, predominantly American platforms were investing substantial amounts of capital. However, the investment has decreased significantly, and the projected 2023 strikes merely accelerated this trend. Despite this reduction, there remain numerous opportunities since that ‘bubble’ was vast. A decline by 40% still leaves a considerable sum of money.

With our abundance of skill and expertise, we’re well-equipped to produce top-quality content that resonates worldwide. We’re prepared to compete and adapt to your creative visions. In the Czech Republic, you have the freedom to film nearly anything, and if a suitable location isn’t available, Barrandov Studios offers the opportunity to construct it.

When it comes to your creative endeavors, always strive for a balance. As I’ve learned from Bezděk Frańková, being creative is essential, but don’t let it overshadow practicality, especially when you’re applying for something.

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2025-02-20 14:48