The audiovisual sector (cinema, television, online content, etc.) is a sector of economic activity in constant expansion, in perpetual search of new settings. Films or television series can have a large international audience and certain productions represent significant budgets. They generate significant economic benefits in terms of employment, purchases of goods, rentals, accommodation, and provision of services but also, due to their wide distribution, they can arouse interest through the images broadcast. investors and tourists.
Independently of the aid on the territory of mainland France, other French overseas communities (but also other territories in the Pacific) have been able to set up an attractive tax system in order to benefit from this economic windfall, considered as an economic sector to strong potential (capital financing of cinematographic or audiovisual works and tax reduction or deduction from taxable income).
In French Polynesia and despite its natural assets, fenua is struggling to develop as an international filming destination, particularly due to the additional costs generated by the remoteness and the absence of suitable public aid. Without incentives, production companies often prefer to recreate similar settings or choose destinations that are closer, less expensive or benefit from more attractive financial support. Thus, in order to assert itself as a filming destination and develop this high value-added sector on its territory, French Polynesia must ensure that it attracts large productions.
It is thus proposed, on the one hand, the creation of a value added tax exemption regime applicable to operations contributing to the production of audiovisual and cinematographic works in French Polynesia and on the other hand, the creation of a specific subsidy allocated upon justification of the expenses incurred in this respect. The benefit of these advantages would be subject to prior obtaining of government approval.
The Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council of French Polynesia has been informed of this country's bill which it considers to constitute a step forward on the financial level, so that fenua becomes a “cinema” destination. It therefore issued a favorable opinion on November 27, 2024.
By adopting these measures, French Polynesia intends to position itself as a leading filming destination, thus contributing to the diversification of its economy and the promotion of its landscapes and culture on an international scale.
