Panama Film Industry

The International Quorum of Motion Picture Producers (www.iqfilm.org), of which I am a member,  recently had its annual conference in Panama.

I am so glad that I attended it.   In addition to experiencing some fine presentations, we also took time out to see Panama –  both the new and the old.   We  travelled through  the Panama Canal, spent some time in the rainforest and had our final banquet in an open air church in the old part of Panama.  

Financially, this country of 3.4 million is doing well.   Its economy is growing and education for all  is at the forefront.

On the film side of things Panama is also being heard and noticed.    According to the Panama Film Commission (http://pfc.mici.gob.pa/),  in comparing to the US, they claimed it  is 35% cheaper to shoot in Panama.   They are also offering a 15% cash rebate on the money spent in Panama on movie projects in the $4 ” $40 million range.
 
Next year, they have six movies slated for Panama including the high profile “Hands of Stone ” ($15 million), the story of the legendary Panamanian boxing champion, Roberto Duran.   The movie stars Robert De Niro as Duran’s trainer, Gael Garcia Bernel as Duran, Usher as Sugar Ray Leonard and Andy Garcia as Carlos Eleta.

I will be keeping my eye on this emergency Central America country.