Our Services

Directory of Services of the Film Commission

We offer the following value added services to professionals and companies working in the film and creative industries. Our core sectors are film and animation.

Film Production Facilitation and Advisory

  • Process film registration for all projects being filmed in Jamaica
  • Process bond waiver requests for international companies temporarily importing equipment to Jamaica
  • Process Productive Input Relief requests for eligible local companies importing equipment
  • Facilitate work permit exemption and applications (work permits are only required for those who will be in the country for 3 months or more)
  • Facilitate specialized permits for items such as firearms, (real or fake), explosives, animals, aerosol, (more than six cans) motor vehicles, drones, fresh foods and meats
  • Facilitate specialized permits including usage of public areas, underwater photography, and other requests to government agencies
  • Assist wherever possible when local and international productions require facilitation with other government entities
  • Providing information on local production managers and coordinators, customs brokers, equipment rentals, transportation, catering, hotels, and other production services suppliers, security providers, paid duty police and any additional security that is required

Facilitation of Export & Investment Opportunities

  • Circulating regional and international export and investment opportunities to local industry stakeholders
  • Facilitating meetings with international and local stakeholders where viable trade or partnerships are possible
  • Pursuing an investment progression for eligible international projects that result in employment of Jamaicans in the creative industries
  • Maintaining a database of local stakeholders in the film, animation, music, publishing, fashion, and events/festival sectors
  • Lobbying for incentives and policies to support increased investment and a viable business environment for the creative industries

Sector Development Initiatives

  • Provide sector development initiatives for the film and animation sectors through the delivery of capacity building opportunities, business matchmaking, and facilitating market attendance.  
  • Provide sector development initiatives for the film and animation sectors through direct engagement with the development and sustainability of industry associations in these sectors
  • Support sector development initiatives in the music, publishing, fashion, events/festivals sectors through the indirect engagement with the development and sustainability of industry associations in these sectors
  • Support sector development initiatives in all creative industries sectors through speaking engagements and personal appearances 
  • Support local productions by attending local film events and facilitating meetings for eligible local practitioners to advance their business 

Policy / Advocacy for Film and Creative Industries

  • Lobbying and sensitization for incentives and policies to support local sector development eg: film incentives, duty waivers, Productive Inputs Relief
  • Lobbying and sensitization for funding to support local sector development eg: film fund, advancement of venture capital funds, low interest financing options, maintaining a database of international grants and sources of funding,
  • Conducting site visits to local production entities and assisting them to access eligible incentives and waivers through the Ministry of Entertainment and Jamaica Customs
  • Participating in national and regional consultations on policy development and research

Marketing Jamaica as a Film Location (Destination Filming)

  • Maintenance of a general locations gallery and contact information
  • Assistance with select inward missions for location scouting for film projects (must meet certain criteria)
  • Participate and attend international festivals and markets to promote Jamaica as a destination for filming