Audio Visual Industry
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The audiovisual industry includes all the following convergent media sectors:
• Film
• Television (both direct and via internet)
• Video
• Audio
• Computer Software
• E-Commerce
• Telecommunications
To facilitate the progressive converging of the above seven media sectors, the Fiji Government had passed legislation establishing the Fiji Audio Visual Commission (FAVC).
The role of the FAVC is to develop and promote Fiji’s audiovisual industry both locally and internationally. The Fiji Government, through the FAVC is committed to supporting film productions in Fiji and ensuring that they receive the best possible locations service. The FAVC advises and facilitates film production needs including work permits, importing film equipment, assisting with finding crew, taxation incentives, and finding suitable locations amongst Fiji’s diverse 330 islands.
Opportunities to invest in the sector
The essential elements needed for establishing an audiovisual industry in a new country are well entrenched in Fiji. The following are some of the opportunities Fiji offers to investors:
1. Internationally acceptable legal and corporate systems.
2. English speaking country.
3. Safe and welcoming destination.
4. Supportive tax incentives.
5. Good climate and filming locations.
6. Attractive to industry talents for short stays or even permanent residency.
7. Low wage rates and internationally accepted working conditions.
8. High level of education of the work-force with world class institutes of higher learning, including universities.
9. Good infrastructure in education, banking and telecommunications;
10. Good international airport with regular direct flights to USA, Australia, NZ, Korea etc.
11. Friendly people from diverse ethnic groups.
12. Cultural affinity with Pan Pacific/Asian Market.
13. Good skills base in the Audio Visual Industry.
14. Availability of physical and technical support and resources.
15. Direct international link to highspeed Southern Cross optical fibre cable network.
Tax Incentives
The Audio Visual tax incentives are administered by the FAVC and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FIRCA).
F1 and F2 Concessions
These concessions are primarily for investors in actual audiovisual productions. F1 are concessions to encourage local expertise and Fiji content, while F2 concessions are to encourage foreign production companies to spend their production dollars in Fiji.
Tax Rebate
The amount of tax rebate available in Fiji for fully funded productions filmed in the Fiji is 47% of the total of the company’s qualifying Fiji production expenditure on the film. The maximum allowable tax rebate is F$11.75m. Tax rebate may be claimed for productions ranging from film, television, video or broadcast programme.
Non Resident Employee Tax Exemption Incentive
Non-resident individuals who are engaged by a non-resident film company to make a film in Fiji may apply for exemption from paying income tax in Fiji or alternatively to be taxed at such reduced rate as determined by the Minister of Finance.
Studio City Zone Concessions
Any business venture that carries on a production activity may qualify for an operating license in the Studio City Zone and be entitled to an exemption from tax (except for withholding tax) on the income from the production activity carried out in the zone. Live broadcast of films made or filming carried out in Fiji is zero rated for VAT purposes.
Temporary Studio Zone Incentives
A 10 - year tax holiday is available to companies under the Sixth Schedule of the Income Tax Act. The zone may be developed by a licensee to conduct production activity such as production of large format film in large format theaters, computer software and interactive websites and other e-commerce and telecommunications operations
• Film
• Television (both direct and via internet)
• Video
• Audio
• Computer Software
• E-Commerce
• Telecommunications
To facilitate the progressive converging of the above seven media sectors, the Fiji Government had passed legislation establishing the Fiji Audio Visual Commission (FAVC).
The role of the FAVC is to develop and promote Fiji’s audiovisual industry both locally and internationally. The Fiji Government, through the FAVC is committed to supporting film productions in Fiji and ensuring that they receive the best possible locations service. The FAVC advises and facilitates film production needs including work permits, importing film equipment, assisting with finding crew, taxation incentives, and finding suitable locations amongst Fiji’s diverse 330 islands.
Opportunities to invest in the sector
The essential elements needed for establishing an audiovisual industry in a new country are well entrenched in Fiji. The following are some of the opportunities Fiji offers to investors:
1. Internationally acceptable legal and corporate systems.
2. English speaking country.
3. Safe and welcoming destination.
4. Supportive tax incentives.
5. Good climate and filming locations.
6. Attractive to industry talents for short stays or even permanent residency.
7. Low wage rates and internationally accepted working conditions.
8. High level of education of the work-force with world class institutes of higher learning, including universities.
9. Good infrastructure in education, banking and telecommunications;
10. Good international airport with regular direct flights to USA, Australia, NZ, Korea etc.
11. Friendly people from diverse ethnic groups.
12. Cultural affinity with Pan Pacific/Asian Market.
13. Good skills base in the Audio Visual Industry.
14. Availability of physical and technical support and resources.
15. Direct international link to highspeed Southern Cross optical fibre cable network.
Tax Incentives
The Audio Visual tax incentives are administered by the FAVC and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FIRCA).
F1 and F2 Concessions
These concessions are primarily for investors in actual audiovisual productions. F1 are concessions to encourage local expertise and Fiji content, while F2 concessions are to encourage foreign production companies to spend their production dollars in Fiji.
Tax Rebate
The amount of tax rebate available in Fiji for fully funded productions filmed in the Fiji is 47% of the total of the company’s qualifying Fiji production expenditure on the film. The maximum allowable tax rebate is F$11.75m. Tax rebate may be claimed for productions ranging from film, television, video or broadcast programme.
Non Resident Employee Tax Exemption Incentive
Non-resident individuals who are engaged by a non-resident film company to make a film in Fiji may apply for exemption from paying income tax in Fiji or alternatively to be taxed at such reduced rate as determined by the Minister of Finance.
Studio City Zone Concessions
Any business venture that carries on a production activity may qualify for an operating license in the Studio City Zone and be entitled to an exemption from tax (except for withholding tax) on the income from the production activity carried out in the zone. Live broadcast of films made or filming carried out in Fiji is zero rated for VAT purposes.
Temporary Studio Zone Incentives
A 10 - year tax holiday is available to companies under the Sixth Schedule of the Income Tax Act. The zone may be developed by a licensee to conduct production activity such as production of large format film in large format theaters, computer software and interactive websites and other e-commerce and telecommunications operations
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