While Hollywood loves shooting in Eastern European countries like Hungary, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, or Romania, Turkey has struggled to attract major international projects due to the lack of a rebate program. Finally, last year Turkey has launched an up to 30% cash rebate for international feature films, documentaries, and TV series. Also, foreign film producers can receive a tax refund of up to 18% for all expenses relating to the procurement and import of goods and services during film shooting.

Turkey is also setting low prices for film logistics, equipment rental, and professional labor. Officials state that “international producers can focus on their films without having to worry about costs.”

The eligibility is points-based, with sections relating to cultural content, the involvement of Turkish citizens, and the use of the Turkish film infrastructure. Projects need to achieve at least 50 points out of 100 to be eligible for a rebate. Applications are open throughout the year and foreign producers must partner with a Turkish co-producer or production-service provider.

Did launching a rebate program start the payback?

Yes – the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism revealed that last year Marvel Studios’ hit film Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania was filmed in Cappadocia, Turkey. The ancient location is famous for its unique rock formations, hot air ballooning, and underground cities.

British director Guy Richie also has declared his love for the country and said he would like to shoot all his films in Turkey. While shooting in Turkey he posted on his Instagram page and showed off his “2,000-year-old office” situated amid the ancient ruins of Aspendos, in southern Turkey. He said: “Turkey is something of a revelation, beautiful food, country, hotels, and people. After two months of filming, I’d like to shoot all my films here.”

Best known for hit movies Snatch (2000), Sherlock Holmes (2009), and Aladdin (2019) Guy Ritchie’s latest comedy action film, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre will be released in March  2022. Starring Jason Statham, Hugh Grant, Aubrey Plaza, and Bugzy Malone, the drama centers around an agent who is recruited by a global intelligence alliance to track down and stop the sale of a deadly weapons technology that threatens the world.