Jordan raises film production rebate to 45% in bid to attract global shoots
Productions that spend over $10m and incorporate elements of Jordanian culture are eligible for the full 45% rebate.
The Royal Film Commission of Jordan has increased its financial incentives for film and television productions, raising the upper limit of its cash rebate from 25% to 45%. The new scheme was officially unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival on May 14 and reflects Jordan's renewed commitment to attracting international productions and supporting its domestic film industry.
Approved by the Jordanian cabinet on May 12, the revamped incentive package introduces a tiered rebate system ranging from 25% to 45%, determined by a points-based evaluation of each project. Criteria include the scale of production, the extent to which Jordanian cultural content is integrated, and the artistic, cultural and economic value of the project. Productions spending over $10m in-country and incorporating significant local elements are eligible for the maximum rebate.
Jordan is also increasing support for local filmmakers. Rebates for domestic productions have been raised from 10% to 30% for projects with budgets exceeding $500,000, as part of a broader strategy to stimulate local production activity and empower Jordanian producers.
The announcement comes as Jordan seeks to reassert itself as a premier shooting location in the Middle East, despite recent regional instability that has impacted the territory's appeal. The aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attacks and subsequent conflict in Gaza has led to hesitancy among some international filmmakers, though several regional projects have continued to film in the country.
Known for its rich cinematic backdrops—including UNESCO World Heritage sites like Petra and the vast desert landscapes of Wadi Rum—Jordan has previously hosted major productions such as Dune and Dune: Part Two directed by Denis Villeneuve, Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker by JJ Abrams, and Guy Ritchie's Aladdin.
This year, Jordan has launched a strong promotional campaign at Cannes to reinvigorate its film sector and position itself more competitively against other MENA countries offering attractive filming incentives.
Speaking about the broader goals of the initiative, Mohannad Al-Bakri, Managing Director of the Royal Film Commission – Jordan, said: 'The amendments aim to enhance Jordan's competitiveness as a major film production hub in the region by creating a supportive environment that fosters creativity, provides robust infrastructure, and facilitates the exchange of expertise, training, and knowledge transfer. They also aim to boost film tourism by promoting filming locations and highlighting Jordanian cultural identity and heritage in global productions.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
11 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Alia Bhatt sizzles with her girl gang at best friend's wedding
Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt, who recently travelled to Spain to attend the wedding of her best friend Tanya Saha Gupta and David Angelov, treated fans with a glimpse of her gala time at the event. The Jigra actor posted an album on Instagram featuring her "group of girls", a picture of herself with the bride and her looks from the wedding. Some pictures feature the bride with her bridesmaids and were clicked in different poses. Bhatt looks stunning in a modern black strapless dress. She also shared pictures from another event where she was seen in a white embellished bralette, matching blazer, and cream skirt. She also wore a necklace, sunglasses, and a bag. In one of the pictures, actor Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, also a close friend of Bhatt, was also there and clicked a selfie with her. In another photo, Bhatt is all smiles as she poses with the newlyweds and her close friends. Bhat wore a colourful kalidar lehenga paired with a mustard yellow blouse. She added a purple bandanna and dark sunglasses for a fun, boho-chic feel. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alia Bhatt � (@aliaabhatt) Bhatt, who made her debut at the Cannes Film Festival this year, left fans speechless with her outfit choices on the red carpet. For day one of her appearance, Bhatt chose a Schiaparelli gown, styled by Rhea Kapoor. Bhatt is busy filming her upcoming movie, Alpha, directed by Shiv Rawail and produced by Yash Raj Films. It will release in theatres in December.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson discusses the road ahead in acting
Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson said she remains committed to acting in projects she'd personally enjoy watching, even as she makes her directorial debut with the new drama film 'Eleanor the Great.' The 40-year-old actress stepped behind the camera for the first time on the drama film which follows 94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein who moves to New York after years living with her late best friend many States away to live with her daughter and forms an unlikely friendship with a 19-year-old journalism student. Johansson will be seen on screen in the upcoming film 'Jurassic World Rebirth' as covert operative Zora Bennett and, although she found directing to be creatively rewarding, she still is up for roles in the right movies, reports The actress specifically wants to star in films that have the potential to attract audiences to the cinema. In an interview with Collider, she said: 'My intention is to work on projects I would go and see, whether they're like 'Jurassic World' or this film. 'The commerciality of things is also important to me, too. Would audiences want to see this, too? Is this generally interesting? Those are things I look for and focus on and care about. So, we'll see, I guess. I'm certainly still an actor for hire — I want that to be widely printed.' Johansson screened 'Eleanor the Great' at the Cannes Film Festival and she has said she shed many tears when directing on set because of the movie's emotional story. The 'Black Widow' star hopes the film will have the same effect on audiences as she learned long ago that it is a powerful thing to be able to cry over a movie in public. Scarlett said: 'The script made me cry, and so I knew there would be potential for tears, of course. Then, to cut it together - I've seen it a bajillion times, and it still makes me cry. It touches me in different moments. I love to cry in movies. When I was younger, I was a teenager, I used to stop myself from crying, and it was so painful. I think the greatest physical pain is holding in a cry. It hurts so much. Then, at some point in my life, I was like, 'What am I doing? I'm just going to let loose and cry in this theatre.' It was so liberating. 'It feels so good to cry in a theatre with a whole bunch of people.' For Scarlett, humour is a huge part of her life, and said that she couldn't imagine 'being with somebody who wasn't funny'. The Hollywood star, who is married to comedian Colin Jost, told Collider: 'My husband's a comedy writer, and I couldn't imagine ever being with somebody who wasn't funny. I grew up in a very funny household.' Indo-Asian News Service
What's On
2 days ago
- What's On
Here's everything you can watch at Cinema Akil this June
Your box office watch at Cinema Akil this June… June is here, and with a new timetable of releases at Cinema Akil. Everyone's favourite independent arthouse cinema and the go-to spot for alternative watching is bringing a curation that's hot like the summer we're in right now – big, bold and bizarre films that will make you feel more deeply than you ever have, from heady trips to moody flicks and a mind-bending, mind-boggling sci-fi flick. With a side of heartache, of course. The program… Mickey 17 (May 16 – June 30) by Academy Award-winning Bong Joon Ho , follows a disposable employee sent on a human expedition to colonize the ice world Niflheim. After one iteration perishes, his body is regenerated with most of his memories intact, leading to a dangerous and complex journey of survival and discovery. (May 16 – June 30) by Academy Award-winning Bong Joon Ho follows a disposable employee sent on a human expedition to colonize the ice world Niflheim. After one iteration perishes, his body is regenerated with most of his memories intact, leading to a dangerous and complex journey of survival and discovery. Marcello Mio (June 01 – June 27) by Christophe HONORÉ follows Chiara, an actress who begins to embody her father, Marcello Mastroianni, in a playful and moving exploration of identity, memory, and legacy. (June 01 – June 27) by Christophe HONORÉ follows Chiara, an actress who begins to embody her father, Marcello Mastroianni, in a playful and moving exploration of identity, memory, and legacy. I am Still Here (May 30 – June 29) directed by Walter Salles, follows a mother who is forced to reinvent herself when her family's life is torn apart by an act of arbitrary violence amid the tightening grip of Brazil's military dictatorship in 1971. From Reel Palestine… To A Land Unknown (May 15 – June 30)which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival at the Director's Fortnight, tells the powerful story of two young men willing to risk everything for a brighter future. Trapped in the struggles of Athens, they hatch a dangerous plan to escape their grim reality, setting the stage for a tense journey of survival and hope. For the full schedule, visit @cinemaakil Images: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
