Colombia Is Thriving, But Locals Worry About Tariffs

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Juan Pablo Solano and his production company Jaguar Bite have made it a lifestyle to create movies such as “The Luckiest Man in America,” starring Paul Walter Hauser, directed by Samir Oliveros, and TV series like “The Big Cigar,” helmed by Don Cheadle, primarily in Colombia. Yet, potential U.S. tariffs on audiovisual content pose a significant risk to the industry that played a crucial role in nurturing his professional journey.

Jaguar Bite thrives off the foreign productions entering the nation, with approximately 80-90% hailing from the U.S., according to his company established in 2018. Upon learning about the tariffs, he contemplated the potential demise of these films. Our studio produces movies that, due to high costs, wouldn’t be feasible in the U.S. – particularly independent films seeking locations outside their native land.

One example of such a movie is the 2023 release titled “The Long Game“, starring Dennis Quaid. This film was captured in both Texas and Colombia. It’s inspired by real events, portraying a group of Mexican-American teenagers in the 1950s who were caddies at an exclusive all-white golf club in Del Rio, Texas (where they couldn’t play themselves). Remarkably, they went on to win the 1957 state championship as part of their all-Latino school team.

He explains that filming the movie both domestically and in the U.S. helped it reach its necessary budget to be released in cinemas and later on, streaming on Netflix. He questions, however, the feasibility of producing such films in the U.S.

I’m grateful for Solano and Proimágenes Colombia, as well as the local incentives they offer, for making it possible for productions like “The Long Game” to be filmed here. This non-profit organization has been a key player in promoting Colombian cinema on an international scale and acting as our National Film Commission to attract foreign producers. Established in 1998, Proimágenes administers the Film Development Fund (FDC), which began in 2003 and offers financial incentives and cash rebates for productions like mine.

In Colombia, there are two kinds of incentives for filmmakers. One is the Colombia Film Fund (established in 2013), which offers a cash rebate. This rebate equals up to 40% of the costs associated with audiovisual services and 20% of expenses related to logistics, such as accommodation, food, and transportation, for films produced or post-produced in Colombia. The funds for the Colombia Film Fund are allocated annually within the national Colombian budget.

In Colombia, the most frequently used scheme is known as CINA (Certificates of Audiovisual Investment), which was introduced in 2020. These certificates offer tax credits equivalent to 35% of the costs associated with foreign audiovisual production, encompassing films, series, reality shows, music videos, video games, and commercials for audiovisual and logistical services provided by Colombian individuals or entities. The CINA can be transferred to Colombian taxpayers and serves as a reduction in their income tax.

Silvia Echeverri, who leads the Colombian Film Commission at Proimágenes Colombia, has collaborated with director Claudia Triana since their early days. She points out that before 1998, only one or two films were made in Colombia each year and there was no governmental backing. “The incentive system we’ve implemented has been extremely effective and has placed Colombia on the international stage.

Solano acknowledges the incentives and efforts provided by Proimágenes for assisting him in establishing his career. “With the introduction of the 814 film law in 2003, many began working in filmmaking. Our initial films were made possible due to this incentive. I traveled to Argentina to attend film school. Later, I pursued a master’s degree in business at a U.K. institution, which was partially funded by the benefits of that film incentive law.

For over two decades, a key aspect of Echeverri’s role involves enticing film productions to the nation by implementing a promotional strategy. This strategy often requires him to travel to Los Angeles yearly for face-to-face meetings with both studio and independent production firms, aiming to inform them about the incentive program.

Echeverri explains that they share details about their film crews, rewards, shooting sites, and how the Film Commission collaborates with the Ministry of Culture to aid audiovisual projects.

The Commission additionally explores content markets in Miami, Cancun, Gamescom (since it encompasses video games), and jointly organizes the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM). They also arrange visits to highlight the nation’s prime attractions, its varied landscapes.

Echeverri explains that we organize trips for executives from various international companies, taking them to significant Colombian cities like Bogotá, Medellin, and Cartagena. Alongside these urban visits, they also get to explore Colombia’s infrastructure, which boasts coastlines on both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The country offers a diverse range of altitudes and climates throughout the year.

Bogotá stands at an elevation of 2,600 meters above sea level, resulting in pine and eucalyptus trees dominating the landscape, and a chilly climate. However, just an hour or so drive from the city center reveals a striking contrast – lush, verdant landscapes that resemble jungles.

Proimágenes Colombia exhibits both rental homes and production companies, stating they now supply all the necessary gear for filming, thanks to these rentals. Furthermore, it’s noted that the country’s post-production and VFX industries have blossomed too. They boast a studio co-owned by a Canadian company called Folks. Echeverri emphasizes that productions shot elsewhere could still qualify for incentives if they choose to do their post-production in Colombia.

2015 saw the launch of “Narcos”, which ignited a wave of Colombian content production. At that point in time, there wasn’t a tax credit available for TV shows, but Colombia was deeply woven into the fabric of the series. The first two episodes did receive an incentive as they were considered a film.

Producer Carol Trussell, known from shows like ‘True Blood’ and ‘Roswell’, shares, “I’ve been an autonomous content creator who’s filmed in numerous countries globally.” She then joined Gaumont as the head of production, working on ‘Narcos’. Intrigued, she visited Colombia. Upon her return, she suggested to Netflix that we should film our project there. The suggestion was accepted, and for three years, we were based in Colombia. It was a wonderful journey.

Solano founded Jaguar Bite alongside his film industry peers to enhance service offerings for international productions shooting in Colombia. Our journey began with the production of “Running with the Devil“, starring Nicolas Cage and Laurence Fishburne, and since then, we’ve been relentless. We consider ourselves fortunate to collaborate with independent producers from the U.S. and various other countries, as well as major studios.

In the production of Jaguar Bite, Colombia is used as a substitute for countries like Vietnam, Brazil, Uganda, Mexico, and Cuba. A team that speaks two languages is assembled, and they are prepared. The application for incentives, which Solano describes as one of the most dependable in the region, is also managed.

He states, “He asks for the essential papers, fills out the application, and sends it in. We provide all accounting documents and whatever the film commission requests following an audit to ensure we’ve made legal payments as per the incentive terms. Colombian incentives are trustworthy, and they’re the ones people rely on. They’ve never let anyone down.”

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He explains, “He wants the required documents, finishes the application, and sends it off. We share all our financial records and whatever else the film commission needs after an audit to confirm we’ve made the payments as stipulated by law and the incentive conditions. The Colombian incentives are dependable, and they’re the ones people believe in. They’ve never disappointed.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m excited to share that my favorite game developer, Jaguar Bite, is expanding its horizons by producing content in Spanish for live streamers. They’ve grown their team significantly, now employing 35 talented individuals in Colombia and two more in the bustling city of Mexico City. It’s not just us gamers who are enjoying the Colombian vibe, as Paramount and Netflix have also set up shop there, creating original programming that’s keeping everyone entertained!

A number of Colombian production companies are now extending their services globally and producing unique content. As a result, we’ve received awards and recognition in significant film festivals,” Echeverri states. “One of our Colombian films, Un Poeta, or The Poet, has been selected for the official lineup at Cannes, which we are incredibly proud of.

The movie commission proudly announces that “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” a production between Netflix and the Colombian company Dynamo, has been their most significant achievement so far.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve been thrilled to see some exciting productions filmed in Colombia lately! Among them is the action-packed feature “Shadow Force,” starring Omar Sy and Kerry Washington, produced by Lionsgate and Dynamo (a 2022 CINA project). Another chilling gem is the horror film “Rosario” from Jaguar Bite, which utilized the FFC in 2023. These films showcase the richness of our country’s landscapes and talent pool!

Despite the potential impact of tariffs, Solano mentions they’re carrying on with business as usual at the moment. “We’re keeping a close eye on developments, trying to understand how this could unfold and what it might mean. There isn’t much information available yet. Some films can’t be made in the U.S., so they may move due to necessary locations or cultural aspects from other regions. For now, we’re examining ways to enhance our local production advantages to reduce our reliance on international production.

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2025-05-15 21:25