The global film industry continues its upward trajectory, with the movies and entertainment market projected to reach $112.67 billion in 2025 and the broader film and video sector expected to hit $328.49 billion the same year. For ambitious film entrepreneurs looking to expand internationally, the landscape offers abundant opportunities, though it’s constantly being reshaped by streaming platforms, technological advancements, and geopolitical shifts such as the potential tariffs on foreign-produced films.
This guide spotlights the most promising international destinations for film business expansion in 2025, focusing on unique advantages for foreign entrepreneurs.
Key Factors to Consider Before Expanding
Before exploring specific countries, evaluate these crucial elements:
- Financial Incentives: Tax credits, rebates, and grants
- Co-Production Opportunities: Treaties that unlock funding and broader market access
- Ease of Setup: Visa pathways and company registration processes
- Infrastructure & Talent: Access to studios, skilled crews, and post-production facilities
- Market Dynamics: Local and international distribution channels
- Cultural & Industry Support: Networking opportunities and supportive environment
Top Film Business Destinations for 2025
United Kingdom
The UK stands as a preeminent global hub for film and high-end television production, consistently attracting significant investment with its mature ecosystem of financial incentives, world-class infrastructure, and deep talent pool. The UK aims to be the premier global destination for creators.
Key Advantages:
- Financial Incentives:
- Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) offering 34% tax credit for film/HETV
- Enhanced 39.75% credit for films budgeted up to £15 million
- 40% reduction in business rates for film studios until 2034
- UK Global Screen Fund supporting international distribution
- Business Setup:
- Innovator Founder Visa for innovative business ideas
- Global Talent Visa with PACT endorsement for film/TV professionals
- ‘Off-the-shelf’ UK Film Production Company options for international parents
- Co-Production Opportunities:
- Bilateral co-production treaties with Australia, Canada, France, and others
- Member of European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production
- Infrastructure & Talent:
- World-renowned studios like Pinewood and Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden
- Leading VFX sector and deep talent pool of recognized creative professionals
More about the UK in our doing business guide on UK & Ireland.
Canada: Established International Production Center
Canada remains a preferred destination for international productions, often called “Hollywood North” due to its substantial incentives, extensive co-production network, experienced crews, and proximity to the US market.
Key Advantages:
- Financial Incentives:
- Federal tax credits: 25% for Canadian content (CPTC) and 16% for service productions (PSTC)
- Stackable provincial credits: British Columbia offers enhanced rates from January 2025, Ontario increased to 40%
- Quebec provides up to 25% on all-spend, plus 16% for VFX/animation
- Telefilm Canada offers additional financial support
- Business Setup:
- Co-Production Opportunities:
- Infrastructure & Talent:
- Major production hubs in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal
- World-class studios and experienced crews
Read more posts on doing business in Canada.
Czech Republic
With its storied filmmaking tradition, the Czech Republic is reasserting itself as a prime destination thanks to significantly enhanced production incentives, historic studios, skilled crews, and diverse landscapes.
Key Advantages:
- Financial Incentives:
- Cash rebate increased to 25% for live-action, 35% for animation/digital (January 2025)
- Maximum rebate tripled to CZK 450 million (approx. $18.75 million)
- Czech Audiovisual Fund budget projected over CZK 2 billion annually
- Business Setup:
- Self-employed person visa for non-EU/EEA entrepreneurs
- Investment program for significant investments
- Foreign investors can establish companies under the same conditions as locals
- Infrastructure & Talent:
- Home to the historic Barrandov Studios
- Experienced local crews with strong technical skills
Ireland
Ireland has cultivated a strong international reputation as a world-class filming location, supported by attractive tax incentives, a skilled English-speaking workforce, diverse landscapes, and growing studio infrastructure.
Key Advantages:
- Financial Incentives:
- Section 481 offers 32% tax credit on eligible Irish expenditure
- Budget 2025 introduced an additional 8% for smaller productions (totaling 40%)
- New 20% credit for unscripted productions
- Business Setup:
- Start-up Entrepreneur Program for innovative, scalable business ideas
- “Producer Company” requirement that is Irish resident or trading through a branch
- Co-Production Opportunities:
- Infrastructure & Talent:
- Features Ardmore Studios and Troy Studios
- Screen Skills Ireland programs to expand its skilled base
France
France offers a compelling mix of deep cinematic roots, strong domestic market, and comprehensive support, particularly through its Tax Rebate for International Production (TRIP) and world-renowned festivals like Cannes.
Key Advantages:
- Financial Incentives:
- TRIP offers 30%, rising to 40% for projects with French VFX expenses over €2 million
- Rebate capped at €30 million per project
- Business Setup:
- French Tech Visa multi-year residence permit for innovative founders
- TRIP requires working with a French production service company
- Co-Production Opportunities:
- Agreements with 61 countries worldwide
- CNC supports co-productions through funds like “Aide aux Cinémas du Monde”
- Infrastructure & Talent:
- Numerous studios in the Paris region and beyond
- Skilled crews and talent, particularly strong in the VFX sector
Germany
Germany is a major European film player actively reforming its funding structure to enhance international competitiveness, known for its strong economy, high-quality infrastructure, skilled crews, and network of regional and federal funding.
Key Advantages:
- Financial Incentives:
- German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) and German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF) offer uniform 30% of eligible costs
- Ten regional film funds (Focus Germany network) provide additional support
- Plans for uncapped tax incentive and VOD investment obligation (implementation pending)
- Business Setup:
- D-Visa for freelancers, including artists
- Accessing incentives typically requires a German co-producer or service company
- Co-Production Opportunities:
- Treaties with countries like Australia and France
- Member of European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production
- Infrastructure & Talent:
- Home to major studios like Studio Babelsberg, Bavaria Film Studios, and MMC Studios
- Trained crews and strong VFX companies
Australia
Australia presents a compelling package highlighted by strong international co-production agreements, attractive government incentives, diverse filming locations, and a highly skilled English-speaking talent pool.
Key Advantages:
- Financial Incentives:
- Producer Offset and Location Offset
- Co-productions can access these Offsets
- Combinable state-based incentives
- Business Setup:
- Temporary Activity Visa (Entertainment Activities Stream)
- Business Innovation and Investment Program and Global Talent Visa
- Typically requires registering or establishing a subsidiary (Pty Ltd)
New Zealand
New Zealand has earned a distinguished global reputation for its world-leading visual effects and post-production, breathtaking landscapes, and highly skilled crews, supported by attractive incentives.
Key Advantages:
- Financial Incentives:
- New Zealand Screen Production Rebate offers 20% cash rebate, plus 5% uplift
- PDV Grant at 20% with lowered qualifying threshold of NZ$250,000
- NZFC offers rolling funding with revised caps
- Business Setup:
- Entrepreneur Work Visa requiring NZD $100,000 investment
- Active Investor Plus Visa with updated 2025 rules
- Accessing NZSPR generally requires an NZ resident company or partnership
- Co-Production Opportunities:
- Treaties with Australia, Canada, UK, China, and others
- Official co-productions can access the 40% domestic NZSPR
- Infrastructure & Talent:
- Home to the world-leading Wētā FX
- Studios in Wellington and Auckland
- Production guides available through Film NZ
Italy
Italy presents a compelling mix of rich cultural heritage, iconic filming locations, and significantly boosted financial incentives, making it increasingly appealing for foreign productions.
Key Advantages:
- Financial Incentives:
- Tax credit reaching 40% of eligible costs incurred in Italy
- €20 million cap per company per year
- National Film Fund with minimum annual budget of €740 million
- Business Setup:
- Self-employment visa subject to yearly quotas
- Italian partner necessary to access incentives
- Foreign companies can establish local entities
- Co-Production Opportunities:
- Numerous bilateral agreements
- DGCA-MiC has bilateral co-development funds with countries like France
- Infrastructure & Talent:
- Renowned studios like Cinecittà
- Quality local crews and post-production facilities
The US Tariff Question
A significant uncertainty is the potential 100% tariff on foreign-made films by the United States, a measure threatened by President Trump in May 2025. While details remain sparse and no final decisions have been made as of early May 2025, the threat alone has caused industry concern. This could potentially reshape global production flows, affect outsourcing (such as VFX work to India), and make production strategies not targeting the US market more appealing.
The global film landscape in 2025 offers vibrant potential for savvy entrepreneurs. Each country presents a unique mix of financial benefits, creative environments, and market opportunities. Thorough due diligence and strategic planning will be essential as you navigate this exciting international adventure.
