Film Commissions Step Up Role to Accelerate Growth In Central America and the Caribbean
The Ibero-American Film Commission Network (IBEROFIC) has increased its focus on Central America and the Caribbean by attending the Costa Rica Media Market for the first time. The move aims to strengthen film commissions, encourage international production and build a more connected regional audiovisual industry.
The market was held in San José on 14-15 July and brought together regional producers and institutions with representatives from Disney, MrBeast’s Beast Industries, Utopia Distribution and other companies. IBEROFIC and Costa Rica Film Commission are pursuing co-productions, investment, specialised jobs, training, advisory services and scholarships, arguing that the region offers varied locations, creative talent and increasingly professionalised industries.
In short
- IBEROFIC is expanding its Central American and Caribbean presence.
- Costa Rica’s media market linked regional talent with global industry figures.
- The initiative targets co-productions, investment and workforce development.
Explained simply
Film commissions are government or regional organisations that work to attract film and television productions to their areas. The Ibero-American Film Commission Network, known as IBEROFIC, is an umbrella organisation that brings together these commissions from Spanish and Portuguese-speaking nations across the Americas. The network has recently signalled a new strategic focus on Central America and the Caribbean, regions that have traditionally received less international attention than other parts of Latin America.
Central America and the Caribbean have long attracted filmmakers seeking diverse natural locations, from rainforests to coastal landscapes. These regions are also developing increasingly professionalised film industries with skilled crews and production infrastructure, though they remain less established than major film hubs elsewhere. International production companies and studios see potential in these areas as alternatives to more expensive or saturated production markets.
Film commissions facilitate productions by offering various supports including tax incentives, location scouting assistance, crew recruitment and training. By strengthening their presence and networks in Central America and the Caribbean, IBEROFIC and regional film commissions aim to direct more international production investment and employment towards these territories. The involvement of major entertainment companies in regional gatherings suggests growing commercial interest in developing the audiovisual sector across the region.
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