Colombia: A World of Discoveries

PRODUCTION GUIDE

PRODUCTION GUIDE

Colo

mbia

, a w

orl

d o

f dis

cover

ies

PR

OD

UC

TIO

N G

UID

E

PRODUCTION GUIDE

Acknowledgements

The Colombian Film Commission would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for providing images and information used in this guide:

64A Films, Cabecita Negra Producciones, Caracol Cine, Caracol Television, Centro Atico, Cielitolindo Cine, Cinecolor Colombia, CMO Producciones, Colombo Films, Congo Films, Contravía Films, Dessu Producciones, Diafragma fábrica de películas, Dynamo, El Bus Producciones, E-nnova, Foxtelecolombia, Franja Nomo, Hangar Films, Laberinto, Laboratorios Black Velvet, La Ventana Films, Malta Cine, Metro Studio, Paraiso Pictures, Parques Naturales Nacionales, Producciones el Cielo, Pequeños Hoteles con Encanto, Producciones del cielo, Proexport Colombia, RCN Cine, RCN Comerciales, Rhayuela Films, Sanantero Films, Septima Films, Tormenta Films, Zircocine.

Comments in this document have been addressed in a general fashion and are based on what PricewaterhouseCoopers considers a reasonable interpretation of the law in effect at the time they were addressed and are not intended to provide any kind of tax or legal advice regarding the matters contained therein. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to the Colombian firms forming part of the global PricewaterhouseCoopers network, each being a separate and independent legal entity.

Content

President’s Office of the Republic of ColombiaJuan Manuel Santos CalderónPresident of the Republic of Colombia

Juan Mesa ZuletaCommunications Advisor

Juan Carlos Mira PontónPrivate Secretary

Ministry of CultureMariana Garcés Córdoba Minister of Culture

María Claudia López Sorzano Vice Minister of Culture

Enzo Rafael Ariza General Secretary

Adelfa Martínez BonillaFilm Office Director

Proimagenes ColombiaClaudia Triana de VargasDirector

Colombian Film CommissionSilvia Echeverri BoteroCommissioner

Lina María Sánchez CastroPromotional Activities Manager

Sandra Garzón RubioInformation Manager

Investigation and Editorial CoordinationLina María Sánchez Castro

TextsAlberto Quiroga

Legal and Technical TextsGonzalo Castellanos Valenzuela and PricewaterhouseCoopers

TranslationSally Station

DesignMottif

PrintingImpresol Ediciones Ltda.

Copy EditorsSilvia Echeverri BoteroClaudia Triana de Vargas

All the photos in this book were taken by:Alberto Sierra, Carlos Alberto Pineda, Carlos Mario Lema, César David Martínez, Germán Montes, Ricardo Restrepo, Sergio Trujillo, Silvia Echeverri, Wilfredo Garzón.

Institutional Photography:Asocolflores, Bogotá Tourism Office-IDT, Cartagena Tourism Office, Cauca Valley Chamber of Commerce, Cauca Valley Government, Cordoba Culture Office, Medellin Mayor’s Office, Ministry of Culture of Colombia-Film Office, Ministry of Culture of Colombia-Communications Office, Proexport Colombia - Vice Presidency of Tourism, Quindío Culture Office.

ISBN: 978-958-99109-4-8

Printed in Colombia 2012

1. Introduction 4Colombia: A Place for Filmmaking 7Colombia’s Geographic Location 8

2. Colombia: Production Savings 14Advantages of Producing in Colombia 15Colombia’s Audiovisual Sector 16Infrastructure for Audiovisual Production 19Average rates for feature film production in Colombia 24Colombia´s General Infrastructure 26

3. International Productions in Colombia 30Recent International Feature Films 32Telemovies 33TV Series 33Advertising Spots 34Co-Productions 35Recents 36

4. Regions: Each a Unique Setting 38Bogotá: The Nation’s Capital 40Caribbean Region 41Central Andean Region 42Cauca Valley Region 43Eastern Region 44Amazon Region 45Special Locations 46Land of Mega-Diversity 48Colombia’s National Parks 49

5. Important Information for Producers 50Visas 52Permits Authorizations 53Customs 55Hiring Personnel 56Taxes 58Insurance 60Entering the Country with Foreign Currency 61Incentives 62

6. Colombian Film Commission 64Film Commission Services 65Staff 66Contact 66Information 66General Contacts 67

Colombia, a World of Discoveries Photographs 68

Colombia, a World of Discoveries • Production Guide

4 WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM 5WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM

Introduction1



I have, since the time of my appointment as Minister of

Foreign Trade in the early 1990s, been very conscious of

the need to promote the national film industry as a way

of raising people’s awareness of Colombia, its talented

artists, their sensibilities, concerns and unique vision of the

world, and the phenomena that occur in this country. I also

understand how important it is for Colombian filmmakers to

participate actively in the dynamic international film market.

And so I celebrated in 2003 when the new Film Law

took effect – a project I worked on as Treasury Minister in

2002 – because I was sure it would provide the resources

needed to stimulate the Colombian film industry. The results

of this legislation were soon apparent; thanks to this Law

Colombia went from releasing two to three films per year

to an average of ten films in recent years.

The Film Law created the Film Development Fund,

which has distributed more than 20 million dollars in non-

refundable grants to national film projects. Also during this

period – and thanks to tax incentives for investors and

donors – the private sector has invested 33 million dollars

in film projects, demonstrating that Colombian films can

be good business.

These figures speak for themselves; in the past seven

years, 76 films have been released along with close to 90

documentaries and 100 short films, and there are currently

30 projects in development. Additional incentives have

been granted to other links in this chain. Thanks to these

incentives and our national talent, Colombian films have

earned recognition and awards at international festivals

around the world.

Meanwhile, the country has made enormous strides

and developed a thriving economy in full bloom that is

now a growing exporter of goods and services and a

prime international destination for foreign investment and

tourism. Newsweek recently wrote that Colombia “has

increasingly become a bright star in the Latin American

constellation”. (Walter Molano, emerging-market analyst

of BCP Securities).

The Colombian government’s current goal, with support

from the Ministry of Culture, Proimágenes Colombia,

Proexport and the Colombian Film Commission – is to

create the conditions necessary so that more and more

national and foreign producers choose Colombia as the

best place to make their films. Not only do we have every

climate imaginable, exciting cities and exotic landscapes;

we have incredibly well trained human resources willing

and able to make filmmaking a new source of prosperity.

Our goal is to keep Colombia in the minds of producers

from around the world when it comes time to choose an

interesting and attractive location.

Juan Manuel Santos

President of Colombia

Colombia: A Place for Filmmaking



Official Name Republic of Colombia

Capital Bogotá, 7 million inhabitants

GDP (PPPUS$Billion)* (2010)

$288.886

Population (2010) 45.5 million inhabitants (77% urban, 23% rural)

GDP per capita** (2010)

$6.348 USD

GDP growth (2011) 5.8%

Inflation (2011) 3.7%

Exports (2011) $56.954 million USD

Imports (2011) $54.675 million USD

FDI (2011) $14.400 million USD

Literacy Rate 92.1%

Currency Colombian peso (COP)

Minimum wage/month $320 USD

* Gross Domestic product (GDP) at Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)** GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP), divided by population

Source: President's Office of Colombia, Banco de

la República (Central Bank) and Proexport

General Information

•Bogota

CARIBBEAN SEA

PACIFICOCEAN

•Medellin

•Cali

•Barranquilla•Cartagena

Colombia’s Geographic Location

Colombia, a World of Discoveries • Production Guide INTRODUCTION


Flight Times from Bogotá to Other Important Cities Around the WorldLos Angeles (8 hours), New York (5:30 hours), Miami

(3 hours), Toronto (6 hours), Mexico City (4:30 hours),

Buenos Aires (6:10 hours), Santiago de Chile

(5 hours), Sao Paulo (5:45 hours), Paris (10:30 hours),

Madrid (10 hours).

CultureCultural and artistic expressions abound in Colombia

given the variety of human and ethnic riches and

the numerous local “fiestas” and cultural events held

throughout the year.

Time ZoneGMT -5. Bogotá, the nation´s capital, is located along

the same meridian as New York. This is true for all of

423,971 Km2

(163, 696 sq. mi.)1,141,748 Km2 (440,831 sq. mi.)

Comparison

675,417 Km2

(260,780 sq. mi.)

Territory1,141,748 square kilometers (440,831 square miles)

of continental geography and 2,070,408 square

kilometers (799,389 square miles) including maritime

sovereignties.

Colombia is South America’s fourth largest

territory after Argentina, Brazil and Peru.

There are five main regions, each with its own

geographic and cultural identity and very different

from one other: the Caribbean, Pacific, Andean,

Eastern Plains and Amazon regions.

ClimateBecause it´s a tropical country, the four seasons

don´t exist but any climate can be found at any time,

depending on the region, whether you´re looking

for extremely cold mountain weather or the steamy

temperatures found in river valleys and along ocean

coastlines.

EconomyColombia has enjoyed considerable economic

development in the past few decades and is one of

the few Latin American economies to maintain a

balance and continue to grow in the midst of recent

world crises affecting many countries. Colombia´s

industrial and agro-industrial production and services

are extremely diverse and the country´s economy is

Latin America´s fourth largest after Brazil, Mexico and

Argentina.

According to “Doing Business 2011”, Colombia is

third “business friendly” country in Latin America and

is No. 42 of 183 countries worldwide.

Colombia, except for the archipelago of San Andrés and

Providence located off the coast of Central America.

Colombia, a World of Discoveries • Production Guide INTRODUCTION


January 1 New Year`s DayJanuary 6* EpiphanyMarch 19* Saint Joseph's DayApril 9 Maundy ThursdayApril 10 Good FridayMay 1 Labor DayMay 21 Ascension of JesusJune 11* Corpus ChristiJune 30* Sacred HeartJuly 3* Saint Peter and Saint PaulJuly 20 Independence DayAugust 7 Battle of BoyacáAugust 15* Assumption of MaryOctober 12* Columbus DayNovember 1 All Saints’ DayNovember 11* Independence of CartagenaDecember 8 Immaculate ConceptionDecember 25 Christmas Day

12 WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM

* Movable holiday: when they do not fall on a Monday, these holidays are observed the following Monday.

Public Holidays in Colombia

SeasonsThere are two basic seasons during the year: winter,

or the rainy season, and summer. But many cities and

regions - depending on their altitude - enjoy climates

similar to those of spring and autumn in other parts of

the world.

DaylightLocated in the tropics along the Equator, days in

Colombia are almost the same length all year round:

dawn breaks around 6:00 a.m. and the sun sets

around 6:00 p.m.

LanguageSpanish, along with sixty-eigth other tongues spoken

by around eighty indigenous groups. English is taught

in most schools.

Principal CitiesBogotá, the capital; Medellín, Cartagena, Santa Marta,

Barranquilla, Cali, Manizales, Pereira, Armenia,

Bucaramanga, Tunja, Leticia.

GovernmentLatin America´s oldest democracy with three branches:

executive, legislative and judicial. The President of the

Colombia a World of Discoveries • Production Guide

Republic, as well as senators and congressmen, are

elected by popular vote every four years.

Population (2010)Colombia is the third most populated country in Latin

America after Brazil and Mexico. 77% of its 45.5 million

inhabitants live in cities and 23% live in rural areas.

RaceColombia is multi-ethnic and a large portion of its

population is mestizo. Light-skinned Colombians

predominate in certain regions and Afro-Colombians

in others. There are more than eighty indigenous

groups spread throughout the territory. Immigrant

groups are concentrated in certain regions along the

Caribbean coast.

HolidaysColombia celebrates a great number of holidays when

schools and offices close. The law requires that those

who work holidays receive special remuneration.

14 15WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIAiaooo.COM WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM


Advantages of Producing in Colombia

• Competitive quality and costs for Latin America.

• Surprising locations and landscapes with a variety of

year-round climates.

• Close to cities such as Los Angeles (8 hours), New York

(5:30 hours), Miami (3 hours), Toronto (6 hours), Mexico

City (4:30 hours), Paris (10:30 hours), Madrid (10 hours),

London (11:40 hours).

• Fiscal stimuli for co-productions with local companies.

• Deductions on certain taxes such a VAT taxes, as

outlined in laws designed to promote service exports.

• Colonial villages and Modern cities.

• Architecture from a Variety of Eras.

• Ethnically diverse population.

• Similarities with other countries.

• Facilities and amenities for all kind of productions.

• Professionals skilled in all audiovisual production

areas.

Colombia:Production Savings

2

COLOMBIA: PRODUCTION SAVINGS



cinemas. In 2011, the total number of screens rose to

643, including 191 digital screens.

Colombia has also gained visibility on the

international scene in 2011. Colombian films were

awarded at Sundance and festivals in Greece, India

and Sitges, and seven Colombian films were released

theatrically in France, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, the

US, Switzerland and Puerto Rico. There are currently

close to 30 productions in development, production or

post-production stages and many of them are being

co-produced with other countries. Andi Baiz’s “The

Hidden Face”, for example, co-produced with Fox

International Productions has been a big box-office

success in Spain and Colombia.

The promotion of Colombia as a film location has

already shown results. In 2011, several international

films, television and advertising projects were

produced in the country including the Spanish films

“Operation E” and “Blind Alley”.

In 2012, new legislation will be drawn up to attract

international productions to Colombia which should

also result in new employment, investment and the

development of production infrastructure. The new

benefit will be a 40% cash rebate of Colombian spent.

Three state agencies promote filmmaking in

Colombia: the Colombian Ministry of Culture’s Film

Office, Proimágenes Colombia and the National Council

for Film Arts and Culture (CNACC).

AnimationThere are approximately 40 animation companies in

Colombia, all with international recognition, and several

large foreign producers such as Nelvana and Pipeline

Studios have set up training and refresher courses that

generate high-quality competitive content in keeping

with the highest creative and production standards.

This was proven by the international release “Fat,

Bald, Short Man” by Carlos Osorio at the Free Spirit

Competition of the Varsovia Film Festival 2011.

Colombia’s Audiovisual Sector

TelevisionAudiovisual production in Colombia is booming. The

Colombian television industry successfully exports

shows –especially soap operas– to over eighty countries

around the world including “Betty la Fea” (“Ugly Betty”),

one of the biggest hits on international channels,, to a

number of continents and is now a constant source of

programming for the Latin US market.

Several international companies, including Fox

International and NBC-Telemundo, are currently

producing projects in Colombia. Both, Fox and RTI

have their own studios in Bogotá where they produce

internationally-broadcast series.

AdvertisingThe country´s advertising industry has taken solid root

over the past few decades and in past years several

Colombian production houses specializing in production

of spots on Colombian locations have begun to produce

for international clients whose spots air in many

different countries.

The world´s largest advertising agencies including

McCann Erickson, Leo Burnett, J. Walter Thomson and

others have operated in Colombia for over thirty years.

More than thirty local agencies produce for national and

international clients.

Approximately twenty production and preproduction

advertising companies operate in Colombia - some of

them specializing in production for international brands

and agencies.

FilmIn 2011, the Colombian film industry achieved a

record-breaking figures in audience attendance,

premieres of Colombian films and opening of new

cinemas. 18 of 213 films screened in cinemas were

Colombian productions. The attendance of Colombian

films has tripled since 2004: the number of admissions

rose over 38 million, an increase of 12.9%, and the

box office increased for 9.6% (compared to 2010).

Colombia has also witnessed a growth in number of



Infrastructure for Audiovisual Production

CrewsThere are many independent and freelance workers in

Colombia employed as department heads, technicians

and production personnel, many with extensive

experience in international co-productions.

The country boasts many talented individuals

experienced in television production and co-

productions. Colombian film crews are known

for their enormous commitment, hard work and

resourcefulness. There are no audiovisual unions at

this time, or fixed rates for services or labor. There are

a number of Colombian associations working to ensure

the wellbeing and development of the audiovisual

industry.

Department heads on several films have begun to

garner international attention, such as Diego Jimenez,

whose camerawork on the film “Todos tus muertos”

was awarded the World Cinema Cinematography

Award at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

TalentColombian talent is highly prized throughout the

world and has met with enormous success on the

international market. Some of the best known actors

include Catalina Sandino, who starred in “Twilight

Saga: Eclipse”, “Che” and “Love in the Time of

Cholera”; Sofía Vergara, known for her work in the

television series “Modern Family” and “Men in Trees”;

Paola Turbay, whose credits include “Royal Pains”,

“Cane” and “Love in the Time of Cholera”; and Manolo

Cardona, who recently appeared in “Beverly Hills

Chihuaha”. Each of them has charmed US audiences

with their talent and charisma. Juana Acosta, star of

“Carlos” and “Hospital Central”, and Angie Cepeda,

outstanding in “Los Protegidos”, “Fuera de Lugar”

and “Love in the Time of Cholera” have earned solid

recognition in Spanish-speaking markets.

Television series like “Betty la Fea” and “Café”,

written by screenwriter Fernando Gaitan, have

achieved great success in countries around the world.

And Hollywood has bid for the rights to remake

several recent Colombian films.



Sound StagesMost sound stages are located in the city of Bogotá.

The largest of these covers 16,000 square feet (1,487

square meters). Other companies have studios ranging

from 3,500 square feet (325 square meters) to 10,000

square feet (929 square meters).

There are warehouses throughout the country

available for productions that require large spaces.

Post-ProductionDigital post-production studios have been operating in

Colombia for many years.

Recently, a multinational laboratory with headquarters

in Chile, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina started

operating in Bogotá.

The company works with Digital Intermediate (DI)

workflow. It provides postproduction services such as:

• Color grading with Assimilate Scratch and Tangent

Theatrical Mastering modules for 4K files with a

Sony 4k digital projector.

• Color correct in a Spirit data cine with 2K Da Vinci

from 16mm and 35mm negative, tape to tape and

transfer to SD, HD, SR format.

Special EffectsSeveral companies in Colombia focus exclusively on

physical special effects and have extensive audiovisual

production experience.

These companies can produce the most

commonly requested special effects such as body

shots, suspensions and fire and rain. They also have

experience in designing unconventional effects to meet

specific production needs.

Arms collectors with accredited experience in

television, films and advertising spots can provide

audiovisual productions with technical, theoretical and

practical knowledge in the handling and use of arms.

StuntsThere are three stunt companies in Colombia, two

of them local and the third transnational. All three

have experience in the field of stunt work and have

developed 100% of the action scenes filmed for the

national industry in recent years while adhering to

international safety protocol.

Other services include aerial systems, general

and flight safety for stunts, actors and production

equipment, precision pilots for planes, helicopters,

cars, motorcycles, boats, yachts, jet-skis, open-water

work, rivers, stunt coordinators and second director

units.




• 4x4 double-cab pick-up trucks for light loads,

cameras and passengers

• 3.5-ton camera-car with cranes, tow-dolly for cars

• Four-wheeled motorcycle for camera with steady-

cam mount and operator

• Trailer with 4 beds, kitchen, living room, 2

bathrooms and generator

• Trailers with make-up room and 1 bathroom

• Vans for 9 and 18 passengers

• Camera vans

Administrative ServicesNational and multinational companies in Colombia can

be consulted for all tax, legal and exchange questions.

They also provide film insurance for all audiovisual

productions inside Colombia.

Information regarding companies and crew is

available in the Colombian Film Commission’s

service directory:

http://www.locationcolombia.com/directory

• Zooms: 24-290 Optimo, 17-80 Optimo, 15-40

Optimo, - 25-250 HR, 18-80 Alura. Also available:

macros, swing & shift, Innovision, subaquatic, etc.

• On-Set Editing: Immediate rushes, editing, color

correction, effects and compositing available on the

set with wireless returns for rushes and immediate

off-line editing for directors, scripts, producers,

dops and designated personnel. Ipads with optional

return of metadata to original material. RAW files

on LTO TAPE. DPX, MOV, TIFF, etc. Wireless H.264

Lighting

• Lights: Complete line of Dedolight, Arri, K-5600,

kinoflo, softsun 50kw, Lightning Strikes,

Litepanel, etc.

• Lighting Accessories: All Chimera, Matthews,

Avenger, Manfrotto, etc.

• Power Distribution: Mole-Richardson silent

generators from 2-170 kw, cables and power

boxes, dimmers and safety systems

• Accessories: Frames, reflectors, plastic mirrors,

diffusers, nets, flags, clothes, scrims, etc.

Grips

• Camera Support: Stabilized and standard remote

heads, cranes, dollies, jibs, Tyler helicopter

mounts, motorcycles, bicycles, boats, etc. Milo

motion control, Technocrane 30, Fisher 10 and

11, Panther Evo, Goblin Mini-crane, Slider 6", etc.

• Light Supports: Complete line of Matthews,

Avenger, Manfrotto, Bogen, etc. 13m and 25m

"Condor" construction cranes.

Transportation

• 3, 5, 10 and 16-ton trucks pre-loaded with camera

and power support

• Trucks with silent 60kw, 90kw, 120kw, 140kw and

170kw power generators

• Restauration Image from 35mm Negative.

• Digital Recording in ArriLaser printer, laser

technology recorder, worldwide standard to print to

35mm for digital intermediate processes.

• DCP package with standar DCI and KDM key.

• Digital VFX, Motion Graphics, 2D and 3D

animation, Stereoscopy.

• Master, conforming and conversion files for

deliveries to all formats under international

protocols.

• Sound postproduction, ADR and Foley, sound

design, sound mix 5.1, Certificate Dolby 5.1 Room.

• Lab facilities as Negative and Positive processing

35mm, 16mm, B/W, release copies.

Equipment RentalsThere are several television and film equipment rental

and sales companies in Colombia whose technicians

(either employees or freelancers) are licensed by these

companies and trained to handle the latest technology.

Many of them are bilingual.

Cameras

• HD Cameras: Alexa, Canon 7D PL, F-3, F-23,

F-900, P-2000, EX-3, HDV, Phantom Flex (2550 fps

HD), Phantom Gold (1000 fps), etc.

• Film: 435 X-Treme 3-Perf and ES 4-Perf; Moviecam

Compact, SRII and III, Aaton Minima, etc.

• Data Recorders: Codex and Transfer Station (RAW

dual link, hi-speed), Cinedeck (4:4:4), Nano Flash

(4:2:2), AJA Ki Pro (4:2:2), AJA Ki Mini (for HDV)

• Tape Recorders: SRW-1 (4:4:4), HDW-S280 (4:2:2)

• Lenses: Including complete sets of Cooke 5/i, S4/i,

Master primes, Ultra primes and Digi primes.




• Average exchange rate – Deptember 2011 Colombia Central Bank (Banco de la República

de Colombia): 1848,17 COP/USD

There are no audiovisual unions at this time, or

fixed rates for services or labor. There are a number

of Colombian associations working to ensure the

wellbeing and development of the audiovisual industry.

Rates were calculated through an average crew

sampling of film budgets from nationally certified

projects. This sample included 19 different films

shot between 2006 and 2011 which consists of

very low budget films and larger scale international

co-productions. The aforementioned average was

calculated by the Ministry of Culture’s Film Office.

These rates were compared to the ones given by

Colombian production companies. According to their

observations some of the numbers were adjusted.

Average rates for feature film production in Colombia

CREW Weekly Average USD

DIRECTION DEPARTMENT

1st Assistant Director 1.865

Continuity / Script supervisor 703

Still photography 545

PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT

Line Producer 12.326 (for a 5-week shoot)

Production Manager 873

1st Production Assistant 327

Production Co-ordinator 491

Field Producer 491

1st Field Production Assistant 273

2nd Field Production Assistant 207

PHOTOGRAPHY AND CAMERA DEPARTMENT

Director of Photography 2.727

Camera Operator 1.200

1st Camera Assistant / Focus Puller 1.200

Gaffer 1.200

Best Boy 900

Electrician 950

ART DEPARTMENT

Art director 2000

Art producer 545

Art assistant I 273

Art assistant II 191

Costume designer 980

Make-up/Hair 1.021

SOUND DEPARTMENT

Sound 2.727 (includes sound equipment & mics)

Sound Assistant 730

PRODUCTION LOGISTICS

Personnel transport and land cargo 800 per van (12 people) per week incl. driver

Catering 18 to 30 per day per person



TransportThe entire country is linked through a system of

highways and roads, except extremely remote regions

such as the Amazon jungle and certain parts of the

Chocó and great plains regions.

A number of companies provide overland

transportation for passengers (buses, micro-buses,

etc.) to nearly every corner of the country. Major cities

have bus terminals that centralize passenger services.

Taxis are available in all major cities, serving

the immediate urban perimeter and the different

regions. There is no rail service except for freight,

and only in certain regions. River travel is very limited

in the middle of the country, except for a stretch of

the Magdalena River between Puerto Berrío and

the Caribbean coast. In Leticia, the capital of the

Amazonia department, river travel is the main form of

transportation. Several companies specializing in local

transportation serve this region.

www.invias.gov.co

BankingThe Colombian peso is the country´s sole currency.

Major cities have currency exchanges where

international currency can be bought and sold. These

currency exchanges fix purchase and sales prices of

foreign currency based on market tendencies, which

may be higher or lower than the official exchange rate.

Branch banking and ATM machines (around 7,700)

are available in all Colombian cities and many small

towns and municipalities.

Banks generally operate between 9:00 a.m.

and 5:00 p.m.; certain offices in large cities offer

extended office hours from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All

major international credit cards (Visa, Master Card,

American Express, etc.) are accepted in Colombia

when purchasing goods and services.

However, this service is often unavailable in

provincial businesses far from major cities where you

may have to pay in cash.

Colombia´s General Infrastructure

Air TravelThe country is directly linked to major North American

and European cities with daily flights to New York,

Miami, Mexico City, Madrid, Paris, Sao Paulo, Buenos

Aires, and Panama, and many others. Principal airlines

including American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Iberia,

Lufthansa and Air France fly directly to Bogotá, some

of them to Cartagena, Barranquilla and Medellín.

Avianca-Taca, Colombia’s major airline also handles

international flights to Miami, New York, Los Angeles,

among others.

A number of private companies specialize in

helicopter and small plane services throughout the

country.

www.aerocivil.gov.co


29WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM


ElectricityThe national energy grid distributes electricity to most

of the country. Colombia exports electricity to other

countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador and certain

parts of Central America. Voltage is 110-120 v/60 Hz,

as in the United States.

HealthA network of hospitals around the country provides

general and emergency health services to millions of

people.

Major cities boast internationally prestigious clinics

and there is great demand from foreign clients for

medical services related to heart conditions (University

of Antioquia Hospital in Medellín); optometry and

ophthalmology (Barraquer Clinic Bogotá); orthodontia;

and plastic surgery in cities such as Bogotá, Medellín

and Cali. Municipal, departmental and university

hospitals and clinics provide good general and

emergency care. There are health centers in most of

small villages.

Hotels And AccommodationsTourist and hotel services in Colombia are booming.

While global tourism indexes showed an average

annual increase of 6%, Colombia grew by 10% and in

just seven years international investment in this area

increased by 189%, with projected growth of USD

$500 million. This is clearly reflected in the increase

in visitors to the country: in 2002 a total of 1 million

visitors entered the country while in 2007 this figure

rose to 2.1 million - a total increase of 110%.

Several international hotel chains such as Hilton,

Sheraton, Marriot, and Holiday Inn operate in

Colombia along with first-class national chains. Hotels

range from 3-stars with prices for single rooms

starting at USD $40, to 5-star hotels priced at up

to USD $300 per night (these rates vary depending

on the season and the city). Colombia is a favorite

destination for international tourism, international

corporate conventions and backpackers alike.

RestaurantsRestaurants throughout the country, particularly in

major cities such as Bogotá, Cartagena, Cali and

Medellin, are currently enjoying gastronomical

success, offering all kinds of national and international

cuisine.

Anthony Bourdain, the traveling chef of the Travel

and Living channel, defines Colombian cooking: “A

visit to Colombia is one of those surprising experiences

that can change the course of your life (...) Food in

Colombia is amazing and full of incredible flavors”.

TelecommunicationsThe country, and its regions, cities and villages

in general, feature complete telecommunications

services including corporate satellite communications,

Internet services for all needs, mobile phones,

radiotelephones, internal local, regional, national and

international telephone circuits.

The scope and variety of the country´s radio

network make it unique in the world. There is also an

extensive network of television services: two private

channels, two public channels, one mixed channel,

several regional channels, local channels in certain

cities, pay-per-view and university channels and local

channels providing social information, education and

entertainment.

Telephones/mobile phones

Several companies offer mobile phone services with

national and international coverage: Comcel, Movistar

and Tigo. Avantel (radiotelephone and mobile) service

is also available.

Internet

Several companies provide a variety of subscription

Internet services (cable, wireless, etc). Some cities

such as Bucaramanga enjoy free citywide Internet

service. In smaller cities and villages Internet services

are available in Internet cafes. Communications and

telecommunications services are available throughout

the country, except for certain distant places. Broadband

and Wi-Fi Internet services are available in larger cities;

most connections in smaller towns are dial-up.


inventiveness and creativity that is part of the culture. I

look forward to returning for a third film.”

Michael Nozik, Producer of “The Next Three

Days”.

“Shooting here was as stimulating as in Hollywood.

The differences are superficial and have more to do

with the infrastructure available. Making a million

dollar film and a 60 million dollar film is not the same

thing. Although I didn’t feel limited at all; I was as

comfortable in Colombia as I was filming Bourne or

Vantage Point”.

Edgar Ramirez, Venezuelan actor of the

Colombian film “Greetings to the Devil”.

“So far the experience in Colombia has been

wonderful. A film as “Operation E2, shot guerrilla

style, in the sense that we have to go fast, shoot

rapidly, and solve things on the run. Some things

would take longer time, but the budget of the film is

limited and we have to work it out. Se, we all knew

a-priori that it would be a hard film, a film where

each one of us would have to sacrifice, to put a lot of

effort. That is a plus here, and much of it is given by

the people. We are very few from Spain, Miguel (the

director) that has the double nationality, Spain and

France, which is one of the big values of the film, 99%

of the actors are local, and the Colombian crew is a

high percentage. It’s been amazing to have this team,

it’s been great!”.

Spanish actor and producer Luis Tosar in

an interview during the shooting of

“Operation E”.

Testimonials

“I found Colombia to have a dazzling array of diversity

in locations... from mountains to rivers and rain

forests, small period towns to large modern cities.

The facilities and infrastructure far exceeded what I

expected to find. One could easily take any type of

production there and feel like the assistance provided

by Colombia would be first class”.

Bruce Hendricks, Director and Independent

Producer.

“As the country becomes more peaceful, steadily

freeing itself of its demons, it’s time to show a different

Colombia; Breathtaking landscapes; green valleys

nestled among the majestic Andes; incredibly engaging

people who live together in remarkable cultural and

ethnic diversity; relics of spectacular civilizations more

than 3,000 years old…”.

Cristophe de Vallambras, director of “In

search of el Dorado”.

“I shot part of two films in Colombia, Love in the Time

of Cholera in Cartagena and The Next Three Days in

Santa Marta and Cartagena; both experiences were

very positive. The locations in each film were visually

rich, textured and unique, one was a period story

actually set in Colombia and the other a contemporary

film doubling Colombia for Venezuela. The local

authorities and the federal government were very

cooperative and helpful and while the filmmaking

infrastructure is still in the emerging stages, there is a

serious desire to do things right and a vibrant spirit of

International Productions in Colombia

3

INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS IN COLOMBIA



Telemovies

Burn Notice: The fall of Sam Axe (2011)

Director: Jeffey Donovan.

Production Company: Production Services in

Colombia: Foxtelecolombia.

Locations: Bogotá and surroundings.

Cast: Kiel Anne Sanchez, Ron Reaco Monta Lee, José

Pedro Balmaceda.

The Ocean Heart (El Corazón del Océano)

(2011)

Director: Pablo Barrera and Guillermo Fernandez

Groizard.

Production Company: Globo Media, Antena 3 Films,

Spain; Production services in Colombia: Dynamo.

Locations: Bogotá, Colombia; Cádiz, Spain.

Cast: Hugo Silva, Clara Lago, Alvaro Cervante

Tv Series

Lynch (2012) (Latin America)

Production Company: Foxtelecolombia, Moviecity.

Cast: Natalia Oreiro, Jorge Perugorría, Alejandro

Calva.

Q’Viva the Chosen (2012) (US Latin Market

and Latin America)

Production Company: Univision.

Locations: Cartagena, Medellin, Cali.

Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Mark Anthony.

Échappées Belles( 2011) (France)

Production Company: Bo Travail.

Locations: Pasto, Ipiales, Las Lajas, Coffe Zone,

North Coast, Sierra Nevad, Guatavita, etc.

Ushuaia Nature Colombie (2011) (France)

Production Company: TF1 Production.

Locations: Sierra Nevada and Lost City close to Santa

Marta, Colombia.

Cast: Nicolas Hulot.

Gentlemen prefer them dumb

(2009/2010/2011/2012) (Latin America)

Production Company: Sony Pictures International.

television, Laberinto Cine y Televisión, Colombia.

Locations: Bogotá.

Cast: Valerie Domínguez, Juan Pablo Raba, Michelle

Manterola.

Tiempo final (2007/2008/2009/2010)

(Latin America)

Production Company: Fox International Channels

(FIC), Foxtelecolombia.

Locations: Bogotá.

Kdabra (2009/2010) (Latin America)

Production Company: Moviecity Pack, Fox

international channels (FIC), USA; Foxtelecolombia,

Colombia.

Locations: Bogotá.

Cast: Christopher Von Uckerman, Damián Alcazar,

Diana García.

Karabudjan (2010)

Production Company: Antena 3 Television, Spain;

Production services in Colombia: Dynamo.

Locations: Bogotá, Barranquilla, Santa Marta,

Colombia.

Cast: Hugo Silva, Marta Nieto, Carolina Gómez.

Operation Checkmate(2010)

Production Company: Pentagrama Films, Spain;

Paraíso Pictures, Colombia.

Locations: Bogotá and Villavicencio, Colombia.

Cast: Marcela Mar, Cristina Campuzano, Roberto

Cano, Julián Arango.

Mental (2009) (USA)

Production Company: Fox International Channels

(FiC), Foxtelecolombia.

Locations: Bogotá, Colombia.

Cast: Chris Vance, Jacqueline McKenzie, Annabella

Sciorra.

Recent International Feature Films

Operation E (2012)

Director: Miguel Courtois Paternina.

Production Company: Tormenta Films, Zircocine,

Spain; Ajoz Films, France. (Production services

company: La Ventana Films).

Locations: Villavicencio, Colombia.

Cast: Luís Tosar, Martina García, Lucho Velasco,

Sigifredo Vega.

The Next Three Days (2010)

Director: Paul Haggis.

Production Company: Lionsgate, Fidelité Films,

HWY61. (Production services company for the portion

shot in Colombia: Shoot Colombia).

Locations: Pittsburgh, USA; Cartagena and

SantaMarta, Colombia.

Cast: Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson

Broken Kingdom (2009)

Director: Daniel Gillies.

Production Company: Holymonster, Instinctive film.

Locations: Los Ángeles, USA; Bogotá, Colombia.

Cast: Rachel Leigh Cook, Kandyse McClure,

Seymour Cassel, Daniel Gillies.

Over the years, many international cinema, television and advertising

productions have been filmed in Colombia.

A few of them are listed here to give you an idea of the variety of

productions made in this country:

Une Nuit au Soleil a.k.a. Cartagena (2009)

Director: Alain Monne.

Production Company: Cine Nominé, BR films, France.

Locations: Cartagena.

Based on the novel by Eric Holder.

Cast: Sophie Marceau, Cristopher Lambert,

Margarita Rosa de Francisco, Lineth Hernández.

Dr. Alemán (2008)

Director: Tom Schreiber.

Production Company: 2Pilots Filmproduction;

Germany Antorcha Films, production services in

Colombia.

Locations: Cali, Colombia.

Cast: August Diehl, Marleyda Soto, Víctor

Villegas,David Steven Bravo.

Love in the Time of Cholera (2007)

Director: Mike Newell.

Production Company: New Line Cinema,

StoneVillage Pictures, Grosvenor Park Media, USA.

Locations: Cartagena.

Based on the Nobel Price novel, Gabriel García Márquez.

Cast: Benjamin Bratt, Gina Bernard Forbes, Giovanna

Mezzogiorno, Javier Bardem, Unax Ugalde, Catalina

Sandino.

Advertising Spots

A few of the advertising spots for international clients

produced in Colombia that air abroad are listed below:

Client: Pepsi SkatemaniaYear: 2012

Production Company: Colombo Films.Tv

Location: Bogota

Client: Staroborno BeerYear: 2012

Production Company: Colombo Films.Tv

Location: Tunja, Boyaca

Client: Coca ColaYear: 2012

Production Company: Indio Films, Spain and

Colombo Films.Tv

Location: Bogotá

Client: Winny / TecnosurYear: 2011

Production Company: Metro Studio

Location: Bogota and Surroundings

Client: MKYear: 2012

Production Company: Metro Studio

Location: Bogota and Tomine

Client: Lady Million Paco RabanYear: 2011

Production Company: Laberinto Cine y Televisión

Location: Caracol TV stages

Client: Gentlemen prefer them dumbYear: 2011

Production Company: Laberinto Cine y Televisión

Location: Caracol TV stages

Client: AT&TYear: 2011.

Director: Oscar Azula.

Production Company: RCN Comerciales.

Location: Bogota, Colombia.

Aired: USA.

Client : Avianca TacaYear: 2011

Director: Pablo Flehner

Production Company: Akira Cine

Location: Bogota – Girardot, Colombia

Aired: Colombia and Avianca planes to all their

destinations.




Co-Productions

Coming Soon

Soon, some feature-length co-productions will

premiere in Colombia. If you’d like more information

about them, visit:

www.locationcolombia.com/internationalproductions

Fat, Bald Short Man

Director: Carlos Osuna.

Production Company: Malta Cine, Colombia; Ciné

Sud Promotion, France.


Cast: Alvaro Bayona, Fernando Arévalo, Ernesto

Benjumea, Sandra Reyes, Marcela Mar.

Fisherman

Director: Sebastian Cordero.

Production Company: Contento Films, Colombia;

Cine Kilotoa, Ecuador.

Location: Ecuador.

Cast: Andres Crespo, Maria C. Sanchez.

La Playa

Director: Juan Andrés Arango.

Production Company: Septima Films, Burning Blue,

Hangar Films, Colombia; Bananeira Filmes, Brazil;

Ciné Sud Promotion, France.

Location: Bogota and Doradal, Colombia.

Cast: Luis Carlos Guevara, Jamés Solis, Andrés

Murillo.

Sargeant MatachoDirector: William González.

Production Company: ENIC Producciones, Hangar

Films, Colombia; Alpha Acosta, Mexico.

Location: Cauca Valley region, Colombia.

Cast: Marlón Moreno, Francisco Cucalón, María Rojo,

Alberto Estrella, Ramiro Meneses.

The CrackDirector: Alfonso Acosta.

Production Company: Cabecitanegra Producciones,

Colombia; Rizoma Films, Argentina.

Location: Bogota and surroundings, Colombia.

Cast: Alan Daicz, Fiona Horsey, Ricardo Mejía Abad,

Maruya Forero, Santiago y Billy Heinz, Victoria

Hernández.

The Towerope Director: William Vega.

Production Company: Contravía Films, Burning

Blue, Colombia; Tiburon filmes, Mexico; Cine Sud

Promotion, France.

Location: Nariño, Colombia.

Cast: Joghis Seydin, Julio Cesar Roble, David Guacas,

Floralba Achicanoy, Heraldo Romero.

The HookDirector: Sandra Higuita.

Production Company: Independencia Realizaciones,

Colombia; Never Land, Spain.

Location: Medellín, Capurgana, Colombia.

Cast:Miller Quintero, Daniel Estrada, Carlos Bardem,

Nacho Vidal.




García (2010)

Director: José Luis Rugeles.

Production Company: Rhayuela Films, Colombia;

Latina Estudio Prodigital, Brazil.

Location: Bogotá and surroundings.

Cast: Margarita Rosa de Francisco, Daniel Páez,

Damián Alcazar, Fabio Iván Restrepo.

Of Love and Other Demons (2010)

Director: Hilda Hidalgo.

Production Company: CMO Producciones, Colombia;

Aliciafilms, Costa Rica.

Location: Cartagena

Cast: Margarita Rosa de Francisco, Pablo Derqui,

Eliza Triana Amaya, Joaquín Climent, Damian Alcazar.

Rage (2010)

Director: Sebastián Cordero.

Production Company: Dynamo, Colombia; Telecinco

Cinema and Think Studio, Spain; Tequila Gang, Mexico.

Location: Spain.

Cast: Martina García, Gustavo Sánchez,

Concha Velasco.

The Colours of the Mountain (2010)

Director: Carlos César Arbelaez

Production Company: El Bus Producciones,

RCN Cine, Colombia; Jaguar Films, Panama.

Location: Jardín, Antioquia.

Cast: Hernán Ocampo, Norberto Sánchez,

Genaro Aristizábal

Undertow (2010)

Director: Javier Fuentes León.

Production Company: Dynamo, Colombia;

El Calvo Films, Peru; Nevecameofilm, Germany;

La Cinefacture, France.

Location: Peru.

Cast: Manolo Cardona, Cristián Mercado,

Tatiana Astengo.

The Snitch Cartel

Director: Carlos Moreno.

Production Company: 11:11 Films, Colombia, México.

Location: Cali, Colombia.

Cast: Manolo Cardona, Juanita Acosta, Diego

Cadavid, Robinson Díaz, julian Arango.

Recent

Porfirio (2012)

Director: Alejandro Landes.

Production Company: Porfirio Films,Colombia;

Control Z, Uruguay; Carmelita, Spain.

Location: Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia.

Cast: Porfirio Ramirez, Harrilson Ramirez, Jazbleidy

Sanchez.

The Hidden Face (2012)

Director: Andi Baiz.

Production Company: Dynamo, Colombia; Fox

Sanford Panitch International Productions, USA;

Avalon, Cactus Flower; Spain.

Location: Bogota, Colombia; Barcelona, Spain.

Cast: Quim Gutiérrez, Clara Lago, Martina García.

Blind Alley (2011)

Director: Antonio Trashorras.

Production Company: Dynamo, Colombia; Antena 3

Films, Roxbury Pictures, Spain.


Cast: Ana de Armas, Leonor Varela, Diego Cadavid.

Greetings to the Devil (2011)

Director: Juan Felipe Orozco.

Production Company: Sanantero Films, Colombia;

XYZ Films, USA; ZZinc Films, Mexico.


Cast: Edgar Ramirez, Ricardo Velez, Carolina Gomez.

The Boss (2011)

Director: Jaime Escallón

Production Company: Babilla Ciné, RCN Cine, Lulo

Films, Colombia; Lagarto Cine, Argentina; Lumanity

Productions, Canada.

Location: Bogotá.

Cast: Julián Román , Carlos Hurtado, Katherine Porto,

Mirta Busnelli.

The Squad (2011)

Director: Jaime Osorio.

Production Company: Rhayuela Films, Colombia;

Alta Films, Spain; Sudestada films, Argentina.

Location: Parque de los Nevados, Colombia.

Cast: Juan David Restrepo, Mateo Stevel, Alejandro

Aguilar.

With and Without Love (2011)

Director: David Serrano.

Production Company: Dynamo, Colombia; Telespan

2000, Lazonafilms, Televisión Española (TVE), Canal +

España , Spain.

Location: Canaria Islands, Spain.

Cast: Angie Cepeda, Juana Acosta, Quim Gutierrez.

38 39WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM


Regions: Each a Unique Setting

4

REGIONS: EACH A UNIQUE SETTING



Bogotá: The Nation’s Capital

General DescriptionBogotá, the nation’s capital, is home to over 7 million

people and is 2,600 meters (8,530 feet) above sea

level. The imposing Eastern Andean range rising up

behind it gives the city a unique character.

Most of the country’s audiovisual activity is

concentrated in Bogotá because of the city’s technical

infrastructure for all kinds of productions (recording

studios, sound stages, equipment rental companies,

the main private television channels, and international

advertising agencies).

• Bogotá is a city of great contrasts with traditional

and colonial neighborhoods such as the Candelaria

where one gets a real feel for how the city was in

the 19th century, as well as large areas featuring

modern architecture, industrial zones, many large

parks, English-style neighborhoods (a la Bogotá),

and rural suburbs with large homes and beautiful

gardens.

• There are several of the world’s largest and most

spectacular paramos (Andean moors) close to

Bogotá, including the Chingaza and Las Cruces

paramos. Nearby wetlands are host to a great

variety of birds (Colombia is a world leader in

number of bird species); lagoons and lakes; rivers

and streams; the Magdalena River valley (the

country’s most important river) with its many river

towns only two hours from the capital by car; as

well as town and villages in cool and temperate

climates, each with its own unique charms.

• Two hours from Bogotá by highway lay the vast

hot-weather lands of the Magdalena River valley

and cities such as Girardot, Melgar and El Nilo that

enjoy a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Towns

such as Honda along the Magdalena River have

preserved 19th-century buildings and structures.

This city was once the final destination for those

traveling from Cartagena to Bogotá by river boat.

• Temperate zones close to Bogotá also feature

old coffee plantations with cobblestone footpaths

and beautiful homes; vast fields of fruit trees; and

gorgeous recreational estates with magnificent

gardens surrounded by the exuberant flora and

fauna typical of Colombia’s temperate zone.

General Description• The Caribbean region is located in northern Colombia

along the Caribbean coast, between the Morrosquillo

Gulf and Riohacha in the Guajira province. It includes

the San Andrés and Providence archipelago.

• This region has four main cities plus a variety of

medium-size cities and countless small towns and

picturesque villages along the shores of oceans or

streams, rivers or swamps, or tucked away in forests

or desert zones such as the Guajira.

• The Colombian Caribbean features three large coral

reefs; close to Providence is one of the largest coral

formations in the Caribbean.

• It has several archipelagos and many beautiful

islands including the Rosario Islands near Cartagena,

the San Andrés and Providence archipelago off the

coast of Central America and just a 2-hour flight from

Bogotá, Isla Fuerte and the San Bernardo Islands in

the Gulf of Morrosquillo.

• Towering some 5,770 meters (18,930 feet) above

the Caribbean coast is the great Sierra Nevada de

Santa Marta, the world’s highest coastal mountain.

At the foot of the mountain lays the Tayrona National

Park. Crystalclear creeks and rivers tumble down

from the high mountains into canyons and valleys of

astounding natural beauty. The Sierra is populated

by several indigenous communities.

• The Salamanca Island Park Drive runs along the

Caribbean coast. Its mangrove swamps provide

refuge for an incredible variety of migratory sea

birds and its lagoons and swamps are rich with

animals, fish and vegetation.

• Cartagena and Barranquilla are international ports.

Cartagena welcomes international cruise ship

tours operated by companies like Royal Caribbean

International, Aida Cruises and Avia Caribbean. The

city also boasts a booming trade among private

yachts from around the world.

Main Cities

• Catagena de Indias, Barranquilla, San Andrés y

Providencia, and Santa Marta.

Caribbean Region




General DescriptionThis region includes Colombia’s three coffee growing

departments (Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío) and

the southern part of the department of Antioquia,

extending from the Central Andean range to the

foothills of the Western Andean range.

• Colombia’s Central Andean region is extremely

mountainous and includes two of the high Andean

ranges (the central and eastern) with snowy peaks

rising more than 5,000 meters (16,000 feet) above

sea level (Nevado del Ruiz and Nevado del Tolima);

extensive sections of temperate climate with average

temperatures of 18-22º C (64-68º F); and rolling

valleys along the great Magdalena and Cauca Rivers

running the length of the country from north to south.

• The Central Region’s temperate zone is one of the

country’s most beautiful with exuberant vegetation

and a wealth of flowers, bamboo groves, towering

trees such as the ceiba and pisingo, and coffee

plantations throughout, where the world’s most

“suave” coffee is grown.

• There are many coffee-growing villages with

characteristic town squares, enormous churches

rising above the other buildings, and numerous cafes,

bars, restaurants, ice cream shops, and traditional-

style administrative centers.

• Many of these small towns seem frozen in time and

have preserved their late 19th-century and early

20th-century architecture including long cobblestone

streets and spacious two-story homes built from

guadua (bamboo) and bahareque (rustic stucco)

featuring wide outdoor porches and interior patios

typically decorated with flowers of all kinds and

colors.

• The coffee-growing culture is alive throughout

the region: mule trains carrying sacks of coffee to

collection centers and characteristic ladder buses and

jeeps crammed with people and products are still

seen on roads.

• The region features majestic mountains, peaks,

ridges, canyons and hollows; big rivers, streams,

and waterfalls of astounding beauty; lakes and

lagoons; snowy peaks, páramos (Andean moors)

and gorgeous landscape in cool, temperate and hot

climates. Colombia’s Andean region is anything but

flat!

• Small production and postproduction houses operate

in Medellín and trained personnel with experience in

recent large productions are available.

Main cities

• Armenia, Manizales, Medellin, Pereira, and Ibagué.

Cauca Valley RegionGeneral Description• The Cauca Valley is one of the country’s most

beautiful, extensive and fertile regions. This region

cuts across the Cauca Valley from the southwest to

the northeast. The region’s exuberant vegetation,

enormous old trees (ceibas, caobos, chiminangos,

etc.), bushes and flowers make it an earthly

paradise resembling the rolling plains of Africa.

• Near Cali stand the famous Farallones –huge stone

mountains towering over 3,000 meters (9,800

feet). Countless rivers and streams tumble down

from the upper valley through abundant vegetation,

providing a home to endless species of birds and

small animals.

• There are large farms throughout the region, some

of them with beautiful restored colonial homes with

stunning gardens and spacious stone courtyards.

Central Andean Region• Since the 1960s, Cali has had an active filmmaking

community out of which many talented fiction,

documentary and television directors have emerged

as well as successful theater and audiovisual

producers. The Universidad del Valle has an

excellent film department.

• Cali’s regional channel, Telepacífico, covers

the Valle del Cauca, Nariño, Cauca and Chocó

departments. A university channel also operates out

of the Universidad del Valle. Cali enjoys good film,

television and advertising production infrastructure

as well as audio and video post-production

services.

Main City

• Cali


45WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM


General Description• The region covers a large portion of the eastern

Andean range between the Magdalena River

valley and the Eastern Plains and includes the

1,200-kilometer (745 miles) long Cundinamarca-

Boyacá savannah at 2,600 meters (8,530 feet)

above sea level, starting from the capital Bogotá

and over most of the Boyacá department.

• The Cundinamarca-Boyacá savannah is green

and fertile and features valleys and gorges of

astounding beauty with tiny villages hidden in the

mountain slopes. Much of this land is reserved for

cattle ranching, flower plantations, vegetable crops

and slightly higher up, potato farms.

• The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, 5,250 meters (17,200

feet) above sea level, has 18 snowy peaks, 14

seasonally snowy peaks and several glaciers that

form over 300 high-altitude lakes, some of them

over 3,900 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level.

It’s the ideal place for high mountain climbers and

eco-tourism.

• This region has numerous páramos (Andean

moors) of extraordinary beauty. Colombia has

more paramos than any other country in the world.

They are rightfully known as “water factories”

because of their spongy vegetation comprised

mainly of lichen and moss that condense water

in the atmosphere and hold it before letting it

run slowly down the mountain slopes, creating

streams and creeks that form the country’s major

rivers. Páramos in the region include the Sumapaz

Páramo (the world’s largest), and the Pisba,

Chingaza and Choachí páramos.

• Beautiful colonial architecture with cobblestone

streets, large town squares and churches, gorgeous

homes and historic monuments seemingly lost in

time can be seen throughout the region. Villa de

Leyva and Barichara are two such towns.

• There are also many lagoons, lakes and tranquil

savannah rivers as well as the rushing waters

of rivers such as the Orinoco running out of the

mountains and into the Magdalena River basin.

• The entire region is full of birds and home to an

immense variety of flora including an incredible

diversity of orchids (Colombia has more orchid

species than any other country), soaring palm trees,

ferns, bushes, and uniquely beautiful flowers and

trees.

• There are hotels and hostels throughout the region,

and in some towns such as Barichara and Villa de

Leyva old homes and farms are rented to tourists

interested in their history and the surrounding

environment.

Main cities

• Barichara, Bucaramanga, Tunja and Villa de Leyva.

WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM44

Amazon RegionGeneral Description• This enormous tropical jungle plain rich in water,

rivers, lagoons and swamps is located southern

Colombia, along the borders of Brazil and Peru.

• Leticia, the capital of the Colombian Amazon, has 25

thousand inhabitants and is located on the banks of

the great Amazon River, a 2-hour flight from Bogotá,

the nation’s capital. It is the region’s only large

city and many of its inhabitants are originally from

other Colombian inland regions or, more commonly,

indigenous people from the surrounding Huitoto,

Yagua, Tucano, Ticuna, Camá and Inga tribes. Leticia

is close to the neighboring city of Tabatinga on the

Brazilian border and the Peruvian border as well.

• It is difficult to access much of the Amazon Region

because of the thick jungle and a lack of adequate

roads or footpaths, but near Leticia there are a

number of beautiful sites rich in natural beauty such

as the Amacayacu National Park whose name means

“river of hammocks” in the Quechua language. This

park is 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Leticia.

• The entire region is a huge nature reserve with

abundant flora and fauna found nowhere else in the

world and there are several national parks such as

Amacayacu, the Cahuinari and La Paya and places of

interest such as the Isla de los Micos (Monkey Island).

• In the Amacayacu National Park alone there are over

150 species of mammals such as the pink dolphin

(unique to the Amazon and Orinoquia Rivers), the

danta, jaguars, manatees, and otters. There are also

all kinds of reptiles, snakes, spiders, ants, batrachians

and insects. There are also amazing fish such as the

piracuru and pirañas in the Amazon River and in the

swamps and marshes and infinite streams that wind

through the jungle vegetation.

• The Amazon River as it rolls past Leticia is so vast

that it is often difficult to see the other shore. The

river landscapes –islands, countless tributaries and

ancient riverbeds– make up a huge fresh water ocean

surrounded by the immense Amazon jungle.

• Monkey Island, Amacayacu National Park, Leticia

Botanic Gardens and Zoo, the Amazon Ethnographic

Museum of Man, Santander and Orellana Parks,

Yabarí River, and Lake Tarapoto are all worth visiting

for their exuberant beauty and the splendor of their

vegetation and landscapes.

• There are no large international hotels in the city

but specialized environmental and eco-tourism

accommodations are available.

• Most transportation in the region takes place on

rivers. There are companies in Leticia that rent

vessels for transporting coargo and passengers.

• Yellow fev2er vaccination is required at least ten days

before traveling.

• Average temperature: 30 °C (86 °F)

Main City

• Leticia

Eastern Region



Special Locations

The Colombian Film Commission reCommends anoTher region,

Two CiTies and a naTional monumenT wiTh a speCial Charm and

beauTy worTh Considering, alThough Far From The beaTen TraCk

and more diFFiCulT To aCCess.

Popayan

General Description:

• Is the capital of Cauca province, located at the

southwest of the country. Its historical center is

considered one of the most beautiful and well

preserved colonial cities of Colombia, and Latin

America. It is also known as the white city, due to

the color of its buildings and architecture.

• Nearby is Puracé National Natural Park, a

geothermal wonderland of hot springs, waterfalls,

and an inactive volcano from which the park

derives its name. The nearest large city is Cali, in

the neighbouring department of Valle del Cauca, to

the north of Cauca.

• The UNESCO declared the processions held during

Easter Week as a Masterpiece of the Oral and

Intangible Patrimony of Humanity.

Mompox


• Mompox was one of the most important colonial

cities during the 17th century due to its strategic

location along the Magdalena River and its

proximity to Cartagena. All commerce in Colombia

passed through Mompox and it was an obligatory

Chocó


• Colombia’s only province with both Caribbean and

Pacific shores. These coastlines are dramatically

different: the bright, transparent waters of the

Caribbean coast, close to Panama, are a national

tourist destination and the Pacific shores are

located in jungle areas and have strong tides and a

long coastline. There are hotels along both coasts

but they must be accessed by air.

• The Bay of Utría along the Pacific coast is a refuge

for the Yubarta whales that swim up from the south

every year to give birth.

• The Chocó province is an immense, exotically

beautiful rainforest – one of the rainiest places in

the world. It is a mega-diverse region rich in native

flora and fauna. There are no highways and most of

the region’s transportation takes place on the swift

rivers.

• Most of the inhabitants of the Chocó province are

of African descent and cohabit with numerous

indigenous communities in the region such as the

Catía and Embera peoples.

Main city

• Quibdo

stop along the route from the country’s interior

to the Caribbean. The city’s classic and religious

Sevillian architecture survives this glorious era and

makes Mompox one of Colombia’s most beautiful

and best-preserved cities.

• The charm of the city’s churches, parks,

monuments, its cemetery, avenues, tiny streets,

alleys and centennial houses make it seem as if

time in Mompox has stopped. Dino Rossi filmed

Chronicle of a Death Foretold, based on the

novel by Colombian Nobel winner Gabriel García

Márquez, in this city.

• Mompox is famous for its gorgeous filigree work.

Many artists and artisans create exquisitely elegant

gold and silver pieces.

• Mompox can be reached by taking a boat up

the Magdalena River or by plane. We do not

recommend traveling overland.

• There are hotels and guesthouses in Mompox.

Colombia’s liberator Simon Bolivar stayed in one of

the city’s large homes, now a comfortable hotel.

Las Lajas


• The Las Lajas sanctuary is a Catholic basilica that

has attracted tourists and the devout since the 17th

century due to its beautiful architecture and the

Guaitara River Canyon in the Nariño Department

where it is located, one of the most breathtaking

settings in southern Colombia, only a few

kilometers from the border with Ecuador.

• The location can be easily accessed on the highway

from Pasto, the capital of Nariño.

• The surrounding area is full of mountains and

valleys dotted with crops that lend a special color to

the entire region.

• There are comfortable guesthouses and hotels for

tourists near Las Lajas.




Colombia’s National Parks

Colombia has FiFTy-Four naTure reserves grouped inTo a

naTional naTure reserve sysTem, more Than 11% oF The

naTional TerriTory. These parks are oF inCalCulable eCologiCal

and environmenTal imporTanCe To The CounTry and To all oF

humaniTy; eaCh oF Them holds enormous naTural wealTh,

CounTless varieTies oF planTs and animals -many oF Them

endemiC- and absoluTely amazing landsCapes. The naTional

parks loCaTed in The Film Commission´s suggesTed regions

CARTAGENA

MEDELLÍN

BOGOTÁ

CALI

Land of Mega-Diversity

Colombia is one of five megadiverse countries in the

world because of its enormous natural wealth and

many and varied ecosystems incorporating snowy

peaks, humid tropical jungles, páramos (Andean

moors), expansive valleys, two oceans, deserts,

countless rivers, lakes and lagoons, and thousands of

plant and animal species of astounding beauty.

All of Colombia’s regions exemplify the incredible

ecological, environmental, racial, architectural and

cultural variety that characterizes the country and,

for the most part, cities, villages, agricultural zones,

countryside and forests are easily visited. Each of

these regions features cold, cool and hot climates and

in only 2-3 hours you can travel from high mountains

over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) above sea level to

warm weather regions at sea level, except in the

Amazon region where the entire territory is one huge

tropical jungle.

• The Andes split into three ranges in Colombia

and in less than two hours one can travel through

cold weather on snowy peaks towering more than

5,000 meters (16,000 feet) above sea level, to hot

temperatures at sea level.

• Colombia is one of the world´s richest countries in

water with five major hydrographic basins flowing

into the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Oceans as

well as the Amazon, Orinoco or Catatumbo Rivers.

• Caribbean and Pacific coastlines total over 3,000

kilometers (1,350 miles).

• The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the only

coastal peak in the world rising more than 5,000

meters (16,000 feet) above sea level.

• Colombia is the richest nation in the world in bird,

reptile and arachnid species and boasts the greatest

diversity of orchids.

• Colombia is famous around the world for its coffee,

flowers, gorgeous emeralds and talented people.



Important Information for Producers

5

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PRODUCERS



Visas

Foreigners require a visa To enTer and remain in Colombia. however,

Temporary visiTors From CerTain CounTries may enTer and remain in The

CounTry For up To 180 days wiTh jusT Their passporT, a reTurn TiCkeT and

auThorizaTion From The deparTmenT oF adminisTraTive seCuriTy (das ).

Courtesy VisasFor foreign nationals considered technical or artistic

crew, actors or actresses participating in the making of

films or other audiovisual productions to be produced

or shot on Colombian territory; as well as foreign staff

participation in co-productions with Colombia, the

written request for a Courtesy Visa must be made by

the Ministry of Culture or the Ministry of Culture’s Film

Office or by any governmental agency taking their place.

The period of the courtesy visas are 90-day to

1-year visas.

The petitioner must present the same information

needed to submit the National Film Office

Resolution Allowing for Filming on National

Territory (see page 53).

With this information fulfilled, the Ministry of

Culture issues the authorization and requests the

courtesy visas to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Once approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

the petitioner will receive a communication and a

file number in order to set an appointment at the

Colombian consulate.

Temporary VisitorsForeign nationals from any of the countries not

requiring a tourist visa entering for short periods of

time as crew members or artistic personnel involved

in an audiovisual project previously authorized by the

Colombian Ministry of Culture (National film office

resolution allowing for filming on national territory),

may enter as Temporary Visitors. They must present

a copy of this authorization to the Department of

Administrative Security (DAS) along with a letter of

invitation from the company producing or organizing

the project in which they plan to participate.

WorkPersons contracted by local companies to perform

specialized activities, technicians, journalists, members

of artistic groups, legal representatives, and others.

To find out the Countries not requiring a Tourist Visa to Visit Colombia go to:http://www.locationcolombia.com/visas

Obligatory RegistryThose granted a visa valid for more than 6 months

must register with the Department of Administrative

Security (DAS) within fifteen (15) days of entering

the country, or from the date on which the visa was

granted if it was processed inside the country.

Once a visa is registered, DAS will issue the visitor a

Cédula de Extranjería (foreigner’s identification card),

which will serve as an ID card while in Colombia.

This card must be carried at all times while in the

country and can be used to sign contracts, open bank

accounts, and other activities.

Link to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

www.cancilleria.gov.co

Permits Authorizations

Audiovisual productions of any kind must secure

a series of national and local permits, depending on

the project’s chosen location. The following are some

examples of permits required:

National Film Office Resolution Allowing for Filming on National TerritoryTo request authorization to film foreign works on

national territory the petitioner must present the

following documents to the Ministry of Culture’s Film

Office (in Spanish):

• Written request addressed to the Ministry of

Culture’s Film Office (Dirección de Cinematografía

del Ministerio de Cultura) signed by the producer.

• Synopsis of the project.

• Summary of the producer(s)’ biography.

• Data fact sheet for the work in question.

• List of persons entering the country for the

purpose of filming, listing their identification

documents and the functions they will fulfill during

filming of the work.

• Information regarding Colombian artistic and

technical personnel scheduled to intervene in

filming, when applicable.

• Estimate of financial resources to be invested in

filming on Colombian territory.

• Places and dates foreseen for shooting.

The authorization to film does not replace or

constitute permits or authorizations required by other

competent authorities regarding immigration, visas,

incoming funds or investments, and others.

The authorization, or if applicable, the denial of it,

shall be issued within the maximum term of fifteen (15)

days from receipt of the request.

In the event of receipt of an application without the

necessary requirements, the correspondent will be

informed within a maximum term of ten (10) days from

submission.

(Articles 36, 37 and 38, Resolution 1708 of 2009)

Local PermitsThese must be obtained from authorities in the city or

municipality where taping or filming takes place. Some

of these cities have their own regulations that must be

respected. We recommend producers and directors

contact the Film Commission in Bogotá to find out

about these regulations.

inTernaTional audiovisual produCTions require

auThorizaTion From The minisTry oF CulTure’s Film oFFiCe

beFore Filming in Colombia.




National Park PermitsTo film, tape or take photographs in nationally

protected areas, a request must be filled with the

head office of the Special Administrative Unit of the

National Natural Park System. According to the project

a fee must be paid.

www.parquesnacionales.gov.co

Permit to Import Animals, Vegetables or Agricultural ProductsAny person or company wishing to bring animals,

animal species products, or biological veterinary

products into the country for an audiovisual production

must obtain an Andean Zoosanitary Import Document

(Documento Zoosanitario Andino de Importación in

Spanish) from the Colombian Agricultural Institute

(Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario). Certain products

are exempt from this requirement. Consult the

Colombian Agricultural Institute’s import/export guide

for animals, vegetables and agricultural products.

www.ica.gov.co/Importacion-y-Exportacion.aspx

Customs

in Colombia, merChandise Coming From ouTside The CounTry is

subjeCT To CusToms obligaTions upon enTry. obligaTions inClude

presenTaTion oF an imporT deClaraTion, paymenT oF CusToms TariFFs

and any appliCable sanCTions as well as The obligaTion To obTain and

preserve doCumenTaTion supporTing The TransaCTion and presenTaTion

oF These doCumenTs should CusToms auThoriTies so require.

Colombian legislation recognizes several forms of

import transactions resulting in free exploitation of the

merchandise in question.

To facilitate film and audiovisual work in Colombia,

legislation has established the following preferential

treatment in customs houses:

• With authorization to make a foreign film from

the Ministry of Culture (see page 82), necessary

film equipment and materials may be imported for

periods of 6 months, renewable for an additional 6

months.

• Consumable goods such as film, lights or batteries

can be imported with the same obligation to

reexport them.

• This type of temporary import generates no

customs duties (tariffs, taxes or other duties) as

long as property is re-exported to its country of

origin before the allotted authorization expires. In all

cases, transportation, storage and cargo expenses

must be paid.

• With authorization from the Ministry of Culture, no

guarantee is required for temporary imports.

Likewise, non-residents arriving to the country

(maximum 6 months, renewable) to participate in

cinematographic productions may bring in articles

for personal or professional use without payment of

customs duties; as long as they are declared at the

time they are brought in and re-exported.

Film may be temporarily imported (prints and

developing established in Tax Memo 3706), with no

duties, taxes or customs tariffs with all the incentives

of the “short-term temporary import” regulations for

a period of 6 months, renewable one time only. In this

manner, for example, films for exhibition at festivals or

temporary events can be imported, as well as all those

coming into the country to be re-exported to their

country of origin, including foreign films.

All professional materials and equipment for

film production and blank film or film printed with

image and sound are qualified as “special delivery”

by customs. Although other “special delivery” cases

are subject to a guarantee, this is not true for film

authorized by the Ministry of Culture.

Import and export processes must be carried out

by a customs agent (there are some 100 authorized

agencies), except when merchandise is valued at less

than $1,000 USD.

The National Tax and Customs Office (DIAN) is

responsible for authorizing airports and ports for

imports and exports.




Hiring Personnel

There are several ConTraCT models in Colombia ThaT Can be

used To hire arTisTs, TeChniCians and auThors and, generally

speaking, logisTiCal serviCes required in produCTion projeCTs.

These are a Few oF The mosT Common:

Civil/Commercial ContractThese are independent contracts not seeking to

establish any labor relationship between the contractor

(producer) and the contractee.

For this reason the contract must not refer to any

of the common elements found in labor contracts

such as subordination and dependence, although the

necessary mechanisms of coordination between the

parties must be stated.

This type of contract is free and is signed once

an agreement is reached regarding obligations,

amount and type of payment. A written document is

recommended but is not usually obligatory.

Parties are free to fix the domicile for legal

purposes: Colombia or the producer’s country of

origin.

This type of contract can be used to hire persons

considered authors of the work (screenwriter, director,

animation designers or composers of original music)

when it is necessary to define the rights each of

these authors grants to the producer of the film work

(public communication rights for formats, territories,

adaptations, reproductions, etc.) and which rights,

when applicable, are reserved, since assignment of

rights is presumed in Colombia; all type of agreements

to the contrary are accepted.

This type of contract is also used to hire artistic

services (actors, directors of photography, art

directors, set designers, editors, etc.) and technical

services provided by individuals or legal entities,

as well as a wide range of logistical services

(transportation, locations, rooms outside of hotels).

It is also important to a production that the contract

states the amount of remuneration for each product

and whether said remuneration is definitive or if part

of it is subject to commercial exploitation of the work,

which depends entirely on the parties since there is no

obligatory royalty system in Colombia.

It is convenient, and in certain cases obligatory

(depending on national copyright legislation contained

in Law 23 of 1982) for the contents of contracts with

authors of the work to be filmed, with actors and

phonographic producers or composers of music to be

synched to the film, to be recognized and notarized at

a nominal cost (about 3 US dollars per contract) and

with very little delay.

It is also important to a production that the contract

state that personnel hired are to assume their own

responsibilities with the national health care, pension

and professional risk systems, regardless of whether

the production company contracts additional accident

or life insurance coverage.

Associated Work Cooperative ContractsGenerally speaking, associated work cooperatives are

organized to attend to the needs of the economic and

cultural sectors, among others. They are comprised of

10 or more individuals who pool their individual jobs in

a cooperative but establish no labor relationship with

the coop itself.

Cooperatives sign contracts with third parties to

produce goods or provide services in exchange for a

global payment.

Film productions contract the cooperative which

then assigns several of its associates (technicians,

actors, artists) to provide services required by the

production.

The producer must require proof that coop

associates are indeed part of the coop. Otherwise,

the employee is considered the producer’s

subordinate, and the producer is responsible for all

labor obligations.

Labor ContractsThese contracts cover all forms of labor governed

by Colombia’s Substantive Labor Code. This model

is not often used for film productions requiring work

for limited periods compared with other fields.




Taxes

below are some oF The aspeCTs oF Colombian Tax legislaTion

designed To help produCers To beTTer plan Their work and

CorreCTly CalCulaTe budgeTs and expenses.

The following information is only a guide and we

recommend you consult with professionals before

starting any audiovisual production in Colombia, since

application of taxes and duties will depend on each

production’s unique characteristics.

Aggregate Value Tax (IVA)Sales tax is paid on the sale of fixed assets in the form

of real estate, imported fixed assets, and services

provided in Colombia at rates varying from 1.6% and

35%. Generally, sales tax is 16%.

The IVA (Aggregate Value) tax does not apply to

property temporarily imported for a short period such

as equipment and other elements to be used in film

productions and film-related activities.

Rental of property other than housing (such as

locations) is subject to a 10% tax.

Special sales tax regulations apply to certain parts

of the country such as the Amazon department and

the archipelago of San Andres and Providence and

Santa Catalina.

IVA Tax RebateInternational audiovisual production companies do

not have to pay IVA tax for services purchased in

Colombia since the Colombian Tax Statute (Article

481, Paragraph E) declares all export services exempt

from this tax; this includes services provided in the

country under a written contract and used exclusively

outside the country by companies or persons

with no business or activities in Colombia, as per

requirements listed in the regulation.

To access the aforementioned benefits, Decree 2681

of 1999 requires registration in the National Goods

and Services Exporters Registry.

To be eligible for this exemption, a written declaration

of export service contracts must be filed with

the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism

before monies are refunded and the corresponding

record must be kept by the exporter as proof of the

transaction.

This statement must contain the following certified

information:

• The contracted service must be used entirely and

exclusively outside Colombia.

• The amount of the contract or amount to be

reinstated.

• Declaration that the contracting company has no

business or activities in Colombia.

• That the service is exempt according to Article 481

of the Tax Statute.

• That no withholding tax applies for any income from

exports as per Article 366-1 of the Tax Statute.

Income TaxGenerally speaking, private citizens and corporations

in Colombia are subject to income tax at rates ranging

from 0-33% for individuals and 33% for corporations.

Foreign individuals and corporations with no

legal residence or domicile in Colombia are subject to

income tax based on income acquired in Colombia and

originating in transfer of property located in Colombia

and on exploitation of tangible and intangible goods in

Colombia, and services provided inside the country.

The law uses withholding tax as a means of

collecting income tax in advance, but individuals or

corporations with no residence or domicile in Colombia

do not qualify as tax withholders. This means that

foreign film producers with no domicile in Colombia

making third-party payments are not responsible for

withholding taxes at the source.

Foreign corporations are generally not responsible

for declaring income tax in Colombia if their total

income is subject to withholding tax. Exceptions to

this rule (among others), are payment made for sales,

construction contracts (“key in hand”), machinery

rentals, and international transportation.




Policies offer general coverage for the following:

• Actors and artistic and technical personnel

guaranteeing payment of insured amounts due to

interruption of filming, illness, accident, or death.

• Negatives, rushes, copies, soundtracks, and

software.

• Defective materials, use of defective materials or

equipment. Can cover, among others, development,

editing, defective processing, lab work, accidental

loss of videotapes or soundtracks, and exposure

to light.

Insurance

approximaTely 30 insuranCe Companies (supervised and

auThorized by The Colombian FinanCial superinTendenCe)

oFFer general and liFe insuranCe Covering The diFFerenT

Film, Television and adverTising spoT produCTion proCesses –

espeCially during The Filming or Taping proCess.

• Loss or damage to accessories, sets, costumes,

and, in general, property of this type as well as

property insured during filming.

• Loss or damage to equipment and materials such

as cameras, camera equipment, sound and lighting

equipment, electrical equipment and portable

generators, effects equipment, and trailers.

• Civil liability for third parties due to damage to

property or persons caused by filming.

• Losses suffered by producer due to additional

expenses related to interruption or suspension.

Entering the Country with Foreign Currency

persons enTering or leaving The CounTry may Carry up To usd

$10,000 or The equivalenT in oTher CurrenCies. This amounT,

whiCh is personal and nonTransFerable, is noT subjeCT To

deClaraTion or Taxes.

To bring more than USD $10,000 into the country,

you must use a transport company or an exchange

market intermediary (bank or currency exchange

agency, among others), who will declare the

corresponding exchanges. These transactions are not

subject to taxes but transportation expenses and/or

intermediation is.

If you bring in assets valued at over USD $10,000

(ex. traveler’s checks or bonds) they must be declared

with the Internal Revenue Office and National Customs

(DIAN). The traveler is responsible for filing this

declaration, not the airline or other transporter.

Non-residents of Colombia can open checking or

savings accounts in the country.

Entering funds in this way is not considered a

foreign investment.

Foreign Investment

The following is considered foreign investment

• Contribution to company capital through purchase

of shares, stock, premiums, convertible bonds or

other income representative of company capital.

• The purchase of autonomous patrimonial rights as

a means of developing a company (ex: investing in

Colombian films).

• The purchase of real estate, stock in real estate,

securitization or through real estate funds.

• Investment in branches founded in Colombia by

foreign legal entities.

• Portfolio investments (foreign capital investment

funds in stock, convertible bonds in stock and other

assets).

• Foreign investment enjoys the following rights

• Transfer of net utilities from the investment outside

the country –amounts received from disposal of

investment in the country or by liquidation of the

company or portfolio.

• Reinvestment of utilities or capitalization of funds

and permission to transfer outside country.

• Foreign investment must be registered with the

Central Bank, which in some cases may be done by

an exchange intermediary (ex: banks).




Incentives

Co-Production IncentivesColombian co-producers working in association with

foreign producers shall be eligible for incentives

included in Colombian film legislation.

Current legislation requires Colombian participation

in co-productions of at least 20% of the total cost of

the film, and also requires a certain percentage of

Colombian artistic participation (as stated in Article 10

of Decree 358 of 2000) including the following:

The director or producer of the film, or two of the

following: Director of photography, Art director or set

designer, Script author(s) or screenwriter(s), Musical

composer, Illustrator, if an animated film, Editor,

Starring role, Supporting actor.

To access incentives, the project must be certified or

recognized as a national co-production by the Ministry

of Culture’s Film Office.

Percentage of Colombian artists in a national

co-production.

1. The director of the film and one (1) principal or (1)

secondary actor, or,

2. A principal actor and two (2) of the following:

• Director of photography

• Art director or set designer

• Script author(s) or screenwriter(s)

• Musical composer

• Illustrator, if an animated film

• Editor

Percentage of Colombian technical crew in a

national co-production.

A national co-production requires at least two (2) of

the following:

• Production sound mixer

• Camera operator

• Camera First Assistant

• Lighting technician

• Script

• Sound mixer

• Make-up artist

• Costume supervisor

• Set-dresser

• Casting

Film Law for Investors and DonorsThe Film Law (Law 814 of 2003) defines the tax

benefits for investment in or donations to Colombian

film projects.

The benefit consists of an income tax deduction.

The contributor pays less income tax than if he or she

had not invested in or donated to the film project. And

according to the income tax rates included in the latest

tax reform for companies, starting in 2008, for every

$100 invested or donated, the taxes for which the

contributing company is responsible will be reduced by

$41.25.

The invested or donated money must be

administered by the producer through a trust

(standalone trust fund or trust administration and

payment). The trust ensures that the money is

destined to categories established by the Ministry of

Culture and once the entire fund is spent, it notifies

the Ministry so that a Certificate of Film Investment or

Certificate of Donation is issued.

With investments, which may participate in utilities

if the investor and producer agree, the “Certificate

of Film Investment” is a negotiable security that can

be freely negotiated by endorsement or sold on the

secondary market by the holder as long as it is used

during the same fiscal year as the investment.

Please note that multiple foreign investments in

Colombia are eligible for this tax benefit, whether in

the form of stand-alone trusts inside the country to be

used in this type of project, or in the form of capital

contributions to taxpaying companies in Colombia.

Incentives Offered by the Film Development FundThe Film Development Fund provides monetary

incentives to competition winners and supports

film-related processes (script, development,

production, post-production and distribution) and

provides automatic incentives for festival promotion

and participation. Colombian productions and

coproductions are entitled to these non-repayable

incentives and grants.

The Fund’s resources come from a contribution

paid by exhibitors and distributors of foreign films in

theaters throughout the country, and by Colombian

film producers. The Fund is administered by

Proimágenes Colombia and decisions regarding

apportioning and selection methods are made by the

CNACC (National Council on Cinematographic Arts and

Culture).

Ibermedia ProgramColombia is part of the Ibermedia cooperative

agreement, which is part of the audiovisual policy of

the Iberoamerican Conference of Audiovisual and Film

Authorities (CAACI).

Ibermedia, through calls-for-entries offering

financial assistance, promotes the creation of

Iberoamerican audiovisual spaces in member

countries. Their goals include training, project

development, co-production, and support for

distribution and exhibition.

Ibermedia offers technical and financial assistance

to promote development of co-production projects

presented by independent Iberoamerican producers

and promotes their integration in coproduction

networks.

The country members are: Argentina, Bolivia,

Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican

Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Spain,

Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico,

Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Through this agreement international producers

can seek financing and assistance for projects to be

made with Colombian producers.

www.programaibermedia.com




Colombian FilmCommission

6 Film Commission Services

• Inform producers and directors interested in

Colombia of the best possibilities and alternatives

for their projects in terms of logistics, locations,

accommodations, Colombian talent, authorizations,

contacts, etc.

• Advise producers and directors about Colombian

legislation regarding taxes, financing, hiring,

customs, permits, visas, coproduction, etc.

• Supply contact with the various businesses,

producers, institutions and national and regional

authorities related to their productions in order to

make their work quicker and more effective.

• Facilitate the expedition of National film office

permit for filming on national territory and the

courtesy visas for cast and crew.

• Set-up packages of photographs of locations upon

request.

• Organize pre-scouts and support recce process in

Colombia.

• Ensure that producers, directors, cast and crew

have the best experience shooting in our country.

COLOMBIAN FILM COMMISSION



StaffSandra Garzón

Information Manager

Sandra joined the Film Commission team since early

2010. She is an audiovisual director and producer

specializing in New Technologies; majored in Film

and Television at the Universidad Nacional de

Colombia. She has worked in different areas of media

communications, from conceptualization to production

and direction of pieces and products for audiovisual,

radio and Internet distribution.

Claudia TrianaAs Director of Proimágenes Colombia, Claudia has

been leading the Film Commission operation. Liberal

Arts degree from the Universidad de Navarra in

Pamplona, Spain.

Director of the Cinemateca Distrital for 6 years

and assisted in the development of the Colombian Film

Heritage Foundation (Fundación Patrimonio Fílmico

Colombiano), serving as the Foundation’s director for

9 years.

Director since 1998 of the Mixed Fund for Film

Promotion (Proimágenes Colombia), the organization

that administers the Film Development Fund’s

resources. “Proimágenes Colombia” promotes the

country internationally through the Colombian Film

Commission as a desirable location for audiovisual

productions (film, television and commercials).

[email protected]

Tel: [57+1] 287 0103

Silvia Echeverri

Film Commissioner

For the last three years Silvia has been the head of

the Film Commission. She is economist graduated

from the Universidad de los Andes with a Masters

in Economic Law. She spent 10 years working with

the Mixed Fund for Film Promotion Proimágenes

Colombia, and was the organization’s assistant

director, actively participating in the diagnosis, design

and conception of the Film Law.

[email protected]

Tel: [57+1] 287 0103

Lina María Sánchez

Promotional Activities Manager

During the last three years, Lina has been actively

working with the Film Commission. She studied

Film and Television at the Universidad Nacional de

Colombia. Executive and field producer of several

short films awarded funds from the Colombian

Film Development Fund (FDC in Spanish) and field

producer for educational and cultural television

programs produced by the Communications Unit of the

Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNIMEDIOS).

[email protected]

Tel: [57+1] 287 0103

[email protected]: [57+1] 2870103

Mobile Phone: [57] 320 345 6635 - 310 320 2878

Address: Calle 35 No. 5 -89 (Barrio La Merced)

Bogotá,D.C. – Colombia

General Contacts

Ministry of Culture’s Film Office

Responsible for the country’s film culture and dedicated

to improving the quality of audiovisual language to ensure

the industry’s viability and longevity. The Film Office

develops different programs covering research, legislation,

training, production, infrastructure, promotion, distribution,

exhibition and preservation of the film industry.

www.mincultura.gov.co

Proimágenes Colombia

Their mission is to promote, strengthen and preserve the

Colombian moving image industry. They administer the

Film Development Fund (FDC in Spanish), which supplies

resources to the national film sector, and promotes

Colombian cinema internationally. Through the Colombian

Film Commission they entice foreign audiovisual producers

to choose Colombia for their projects (cinema, television and

commercials).

www.proimagenescolombia.com

www.pantallacolombia.com

National Office of Taxes and Customs - DIAN

Guarantees the nation’s fiscal security and protects public

order in the national economy through administration and

control of compliance with tax, customs and exchange

obligations, and by facilitating foreign trade transactions

under fair, transparent and legal conditions.

www.dian.gov.co

Proexport Colombia

Organization in charge of commercial promotion of the

country’s non-traditional exports, international tourism and

foreign investment in Colombia.

www.proexport.com.co, www.turismocolombia.com

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Embassies and Consulates

There are approximately 50 accredited world missions in

Colombia.

Colombia has embassies in 47 countries and consulates and

consular services in 92 cities around the world.

www.cancilleria.gov.co

we reCommend you ConsulT:

IDEAM

Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental

Studies (weather reports)

www.ideam.gov.co

National Parks of Colombia

Organization in charge of administering and managing

the National Park System and coordinating the National

Protected Areas System (SINAP).

www.parquesnacionales.gov.co

Department of Administrative Security (DAS) Provides

authorizations for remaining in the country.

www.das.gov.co

Statistics, Exchange Rates, Incoming Funds,

Foreign Investment

www.dane.gov.co; www.banrep.gov.co

Banks

www.superfinanciera.gov.co, www.asobancaria.com

Insurance

www.fasecolda.com; www.superfinanciera.gov.co

Airports

www.aerocivil.gov.co

Transport

www.invias.gov.co

Accounting and Tax Information

www.actualicese.com

Tourist Information

www.colombia.travel

Information on Colombian Government

www.gobiernoenlinea.gov.co

Ibermedia Program

www.programaibermedia.com

68 WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIAiaooo.COM

Colombia, a World of Discoveries Photographs

Pg 4, 5 César Martínez

Pg 6 Proexport Colombia

Pg 8, 9 Proexport Colombia, Quindio Culture Office

Pg 12 Proexport Colombia, Ministry of Culture

Pg 13 Bogota Tourism Office-IDT, Germán Montes

Pg 14, 15 The Crack, Cabecita Negra Producciones

Pg 16 Operation E, Tormenta Films, Zircocine, La Ventana Films; Greetings to the Devil, Sanantero Films; 180 Seconds, 64-A Films

Pg 17 Caracol TV

Pg 18 The Crack, Cabecita Negra Producciones

Pg 19 Operation E, Tormenta Films, Zircocine, La Ventana Films; Porfirio, Franja Nomo

Pag 20, 21 Caracol TV, Cinecolor Colombia; The Crack, Cabecita Negra Producciones

Pg 23 Operation E, Tormenta Films, Zircocine, La Ventana Films; 180 Seconds, 64-A Films; Caracol TV stages

Pg 24 The Crack, Cabecita Negra Producciones

Pg 26, 27 Ricardo Restrepo, CFC; Medellin Mayor’s Culture Office

Pg 28 Hoteles con encanto, Proexport Colombia


Pg 32 Operation E, Tormenta Films, Zircocine, La Ventana Films; Tiempo Final, Fox Telecolombia; Gentlemen prefer them dumb, Fox Telecolombia

Pg 34 TV spots provided by Akira Cine, Colombo Films.Tv, Metro Studio, Laberinto, RCN Comerciales, Rhayuela Films

Pg 35 Fat, Bald, Short Man, Malta Cine; La Playa, Septima Films

Pag 36 Porfirio, Franja Nomo; Greetings to the Devil, Sanantero Films; Blind Alley, Dynamo

Pag 37 Towerope, Dynamo; Of Love and Other Demons, CMO Producciones; The Colours of the Mountain, El Bus Producciones; García, Rhayuela Cine

Pag 38, 39 César Martínez

Pag 40 Bogota Tourism Office-IDT, German Montes

Pg 41 Proexport Colombia, Santa Marta Tourism Office, Cartagena Tourism Office

Pg 42 Alberto Sierra, Medellin Mayor’s Office, Qundio Culture Office

Pg 43 Ricardo Restrepo,CFC; Silvia Echeverri, CFC

Pg 44 Silvia Echeverri, CFC; Proexport Colombia


Pg 47 Cielito Lindo Producciones; Dessu Producciones

Pg 48 Asocolflores, Proexport Colombia, Sergio Trujillo

Pg 50, 51 César Martínez

Pg 54 Operation E, Tormenta Films, Zircocine, La Ventana Films; The Crack, Cabecita Negra Producciones; The Colours of the Mountain, El Bus Producciones

Pg 57 Caracol TV; Greetings to the Devil, Sanantero Films; Lo azul del cielo, Producciones del Cielo

Pg 59 Carlos Mario Lema, Carlos Pineda

Pg 60 Carlos Pineda, Silvia Echeverri, CFC

Pg 63 Maritza Blanco, Dessu Productions


ADVERTISERS

[email protected] // (57) 3208084308 (571) 6109924 //

the # 1 distributor and exhibitorin colombia

At Cine Colombia we like original ideas.

Distributing and screening them even more.

[email protected] 13 No. 38-85(+57) 1 323 94 44

w w w . c i n e c o l o m b i a . c o m

COLOMBIAN FILM COMMISSION

79WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM78 WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM


Acknowledgements

The Colombian Film Commission would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for providing images and information used in this guide:

64A Films, Cabecita Negra Producciones, Caracol Cine, Caracol Television, Centro Atico, Cielitolindo Cine, Cinecolor Colombia, CMO Producciones, Colombo Films, Congo Films, Contravía Films, Dessu Producciones, Diafragma fábrica de películas, Dynamo, El Bus Producciones, E-nnova, Foxtelecolombia, Franja Nomo, Hangar Films, Laberinto, Laboratorios Black Velvet, La Ventana Films, Malta Cine, Metro Studio, Paraiso Pictures, Parques Naturales Nacionales, Producciones el Cielo, Pequeños Hoteles con Encanto, Producciones del cielo, Proexport Colombia, RCN Cine, RCN Comerciales, Rhayuela Films, Sanantero Films, Septima Films, Tormenta Films, Zircocine.

Comments in this document have been addressed in a general fashion and are based on what PricewaterhouseCoopers considers a reasonable interpretation of the law in effect at the time they were addressed and are not intended to provide any kind of tax or legal advice regarding the matters contained therein. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to the Colombian firms forming part of the global PricewaterhouseCoopers network, each being a separate and independent legal entity.

PRODUCTION GUIDE

PRODUCTION GUIDE

Colo

mbia

, a w

orl

d o

f dis

cover

ies

PR

OD

UC

TIO

N G

UID

E

Colombia: A World of Discoveries

Documents

Transcript of Colombia: A World of Discoveries