Panama Forges New Plans to Grow Film Industry and Lure More Location Shoots

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As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to witness the transformative shift unfolding in Panama‘s cinematic landscape. Led by a vibrant, youthful squad, predominantly women, and backed by our newly elected President José Raúl Mulino, we’re embarking on groundbreaking initiatives that promise to redefine our film industry.

At the forefront is Vice Minister of Culture Arianne Benedetti, a filmmaker with previous experience as Panama’s film commissioner, who played a significant role in establishing the 2012 film law for the country. “Our aim is to enhance benefits in all areas – better benefits for infrastructure, workforce, and even cash rebates,” expressed Benedetti. Additionally, they are developing a new benefit to entice more gaming content creators to the nation.

In addition to suggesting a raise in the existing cash rebate from 25% to either 30% or 35%, they are also pushing for an enhancement of funding for the Panamanian Film Fund, which supports local film productions. They also aim to revive their co-production forum MEET by the end of this year.

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Beyond proposing a cash rebate boost from 25% up to 30% or 35%, they’re also advocating for an upgrade in funding for Panamanian Film Fund, backing local films. They further intend to reactivate their co-production forum MEET by the year’s end.

Next year, I’ll be representing our producers and projects at the Malaga Film Festival, with a special focus on Panama. In September, I’ll also lead a delegation at Ventana Sur and in Spain, fostering connections between our producers and international industry professionals. Moreover, I’m excited to support our producers at markets like Berlin’s EFM, where for the first time, we’ll have a stand to showcase Panama as an attractive production destination.

At the Panama International Film Festival (IFF Panama), Benedetti and the newly appointed film commissioner Maria Cecilia Arias discussed their plans with EbMaster. They mentioned their intention to attract a foreign collaborator for constructing a studio facility within Panama. In approximately a month or two, they will present the findings from a feasibility study.

Toward the end of last year, they along with their team embarked on trips to London and Los Angeles for meetings with prospective studio collaborators, among whom was a Spanish firm as well.

Arias noted that due to its varied landscapes encompassing beaches, jungles, and mountains, Panama can effectively double as locations similar to New York, Miami, or Dubai. This is particularly advantageous because of the relatively short distances involved, making it a highly convenient and versatile option for film production companies.

A captivating discovery we made about London is that studios are now being constructed within the city itself. Previously, people had expressed concerns over the distance from the city, desiring more convenience and proximity to home for shorter commutes to avoid additional fatigue. Hence, when choosing suitable locations for construction, factors like rural areas not being feasible come into play. This is how we establish criteria to find the optimal solution.

Panama stands out as a highly secure and well-connected nation that uses the U.S. dollar. It boasts 13 direct flights from the United States, making it an ideal destination. In fact, you can go from a luxurious five-star hotel to the heart of the jungle in just 15 minutes! We provide diverse filming locations – from sunny beaches and tropical islands to bustling cities that mirror metropolises like Las Vegas, Brazilian jungles, or the streets of France and Spain. Panama offers a rare blend of urban energy and natural beauty, both within easy reach,” Benedetti agreed.

Support from influential figures in power is crucial, and fortunately for us, Panama’s president and Congress share our enthusiasm for the advantages of fostering the audiovisual sector. As a result, they are eager to make Panama a significant hub within this industry.

Beyond Dominican Republic and Colombia, Uruguay followed a similar path. A good administration took office, embraced cinema, and now it’s becoming a popular film destination, according to Arias.

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2025-04-05 13:16