France’s onscreen presence is growing, and not only in the foreign film category. From Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox to James Cameron’s Avatar, Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia to Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, France is playing a bigger role in Hollywood. With the introduction of a tax rebate, we can expect to see even more of France both in and behind the scenes.   

 

France garnered its cost-effective production status last January, 2009, when the country introduced a 20% tax rebate for international productions (TRIP). According to figures released this week by Film France, the French film commission, TRIP received immediate response from around the world. In the first two months that the measure has been operational, 11 international productions have been approved for the rebate--including Lionsgate thriller Five Killers, Universal animated feature film Despicable Me and Japan’s box office smash Nodame Cantabile The Movie--and are expected to receive about 15 million euros altogether.  

 

“There are many ways France can provide its talent and landscapes to the world movie community, and that’s also reflected by France’s onscreen presence at the Oscars,” said Patrick Lamassoure, managing director of Film France.

 

TRIP can be applied to live action films, television, animation and post production. The most recent projects to benefit from TRIP include Clint Eastwood’s Hereafter, Kenneth Brannagh’s Thor, and Chris Nolan’s Inception.   

 

Philippe Yvergniaux, president of Invest in France Agency, North America, applauded the early success of the new measure. “TRIP is a prime example of France’s ongoing efforts to attract the savviest of investors,” he said. “We are excited that an ever-growing number of productions will now be able to benefit from France’s perennial draws, including a highly-regarded standard of living, top-notch infrastructure and facilities, and an award-winning pool of talent.”