Mauritius Makes Movies

And the Board of Investment (BOI) sets a bar high for this year: " We have arranged for 30 major projects worth a total of about Rs 500 million, " says Haliimah Soorefan, head of communication.

Of these 13 projects, six were approved earlier this year and five locations have been completed to March. " For these six projects, producers from China, South Africa, Germany and India , "says Haliimah Soorefan. Foreign producers are particularly attracted by the 30% subsidy on production costs offered by the Mauritian authorities through the Film Rebate Scheme. This threshold is previously 25%.

Turning 25 days

Thus, gradually, the Mauritian destination overcomes the Bollywood picture to which it is associated. This, given the numerous locations of Indian films in the island, the latest being Humshakals and The Villain . Producers of various countries around the world, including Germany, Japan, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, or South Africa and Kenya, have expressed interest in filming in Mauritius.

Film producers on a budget - totaling between 2,000 and 80,000 euros - are not far behind. "Between January and March this year, the Mauritius Film Development Corporation(MFDC) has recorded 18 clips, "says Eliana Timol the Project and Programme Officer . These are in addition to ten clips made last year.

Ken Poonoosamy, BOI, rising foreign location in Mauritius " will create jobs and, consequently, a more significant growth for the country. " In order to be eligible for funding, foreign producers must use local rental of equipment, local service providers. In fact, Ken Poonoosamy provides the implementation of a range of related services, including in the field of professional equipment rental, film studios, transport, logistics and hospitality.

Already on the side of local service providers, the benefits are positive. " The Film Rebate Scheme since October brought a new dynamism to the sector, " said Richard Sysum, Director of Media Film Service. Since January, it has already supplied equipment for a major project in China, followed by shootings Humshakals and The Villain . April is already reserved for another Indian film shooting 25 days.

Businessman hopes that financial incentives Film Rebate Scheme will be disbursed within a reasonable time. " This will promote confidence for producers to come and word-of-mouth is our biggest advertising industry. "