Colombia a World of Discoveries

Colombia, a World of DiscoveriesPRODUCTION GUIDE

Content

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

Juan Mesa ZuletaCommunications Advisor

Ministry of CultureMariana Garcés Córdoba Minister of Culture

María Claudia López Sorzano Vice Minister of Culture

Enzo Rafael Ariza General Secretary

Adelfa Martínez Film Office Director

Proimagenes ColombiaClaudia Triana de VargasDirector

Colombian Film CommissionSilvia Echeverri BoteroCommissioner

Lina María Sánchez CastroPromotional Activities Manager

Sandra GarzónInformation Manager

Editorial Director and TextsAlberto Quiroga

Investigation and Editorial CoordinationLina María Sánchez Castro

Legal and Technical TextsGonzalo Castellanos Valenzuela and PricewaterhouseCoopers

TranslationSally Station

DesignMottif

PrintingIndustrias Gráficas Darbel S.A.

Copy EditorsSilvia Echeverri BoteroClaudia Triana de Vargas

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

Institutional PhotographyBogotá Tourism Office IDT, Cartagena Tourism Office, Ministry of Culture, Proexport Colombia - Vice Presidency of Tourism

ISBN: xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Printed in Colombia 2011

1. Introduction 6 Welcome to Colombia 7

Colombia: An Ancient Legend 9

Colombia: A Place for Filmmaking 11

Colombia: The Best Kept Secret in Latin America 14

Colombia’s Geographic Location 17

General Information 18

A Culture Nation 23

The Nation’s Economy 29

2. Colombia: Production Savings 30 Advantages of producing in Colombia 31

Colombia’s Audiovisual Sector 33

Infrastructure for Audiovisual Production 38

Colombia’s General Infrastructure 46

3. International Productions in Colombia 50 Recent International Feature Films 52

Telemovies 53

TV Series 53

Advertising Spots 54

Co-Productions 57

4. Regions: Each a Unique Setting 60 Land of Mega-Diversity 61

Bogotá: The Nation’s Capital 63

The Regions for Filming and Locations 65

Special Locations: Mompox, Las Lajas, Chocó 78

National Parks

5. Important Information for Producers 84

6. Colombian Film Commission 104

Colombia a World of a Discoveries • Production Guide

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Welcome to Colombia

Colombia is amazingly beautiful and seems speCially Created by nature to nurture

the dreams of filmmakers in searCh of the one plaCe Capable of providing an

entire range of gorgeous sCenery perfeCt for Creating a magnifiCent film.

This guide was designed to introduce those who

produce and direct films, TV and publicity to Colombia,

to her geographic variety ranging from Andean

mountain ranges to Caribbean seas, her endless

locations and scenery, her many climates, her villages

rooted in time and her modern cities, her people and

their joyful spirits, her infrastructure, her services,

and everything else needed to bring their projects to

fruition.

In this guide you will find everything on offer by

this country as-yet unknown and undiscovered by

international filmmakers, although numerous films,

commercials and television series have already been

produced in Colombia.

If you´d like more information, please contact the

Colombian Film Commission where you´ll find people

ready to help.

Introduction

1



Colombia: An Ancient Legend

When Spanish Conquistadors reached Colombia they

were surprised by its beauty, full of contrast and splendid

landscapes. But their surprise turned to amazement

when they observed how the natives treated gold as a

commonplace item, hanging true works of art in the form

of jewelry made from this glowing material from trees.

Their greed led them on a quest for the source of this

enormous wealth, in search of El Dorado, a place harboring

an infinite treasure that would make them immensely rich,

beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. They never found

El Dorado. They didn’t, couldn’t know that it was right

before their eyes – that glorious geography, so diversely

beautiful, was El Dorado itself.

Today we can safely say that the fabulous El Dorado

legend has become a reality. Colombia, with one of the

most competitive industries in Latin America, is El Dorado

for those in love with the audiovisual arts.

Foremost among the many reasons for this is Colom-

bia’s astonishing beauty and wide variety of settings,

most of them undiscovered, perfect for the most diverse

audiovisual productions. And, just as important, production

costs in Colombia are very competitive when compared

with other countries in the region and the country has the

necessary infrastructure and specialized professionals to

guarantee the most efficient productions possible.

We’d like to invite TV, film and advertising producers

and directors to get to know Colombia and discover

everything the country has to offer them and their projects.

Welcome to El Dorado, to Colombia, a legendary

land. This guide presents a bird’s eye view of the country;

should you require more information, please contact the

Colombian Film Commission where we’ll be pleased to

give you all the help you need.



Colombia: A Place for Filmmaking

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 film-

makers 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 sup-

port 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 World of a Discoveries • Production Guide INTRODUCTION


INTRODUCTION


During the past three years, the Colombian Film

Commission has invited a number of producers and

directors from foreign audiovisual companies to get to

know Colombia and become familiar with its cultural

wealth and biodiversity – it is one of the most biodiverse

nations on Earth --, the beauty of our natural landscapes

and the talent and charm Colombians are known for.

Initially, our guests were both surprised and amazed.

The image they had of Colombia didn’t coincide with what

their own eyes were telling them. The first surprise, aside

from the country’s obvious beauty, was the drive and

vitality of Colombia’s economy and the vibrant spirit of

bustling activity on the city streets, in public spaces, in

the variety of cultural activities, the art galleries, libraries,

museums and restaurants, and in the nightlife.

The trip was a revelation for them, and they returned

home with a different idea of Colombia, seduced by the

incentives and opportunities offered to international

investors, especially those who invest in audiovisual

productions.

In 2010, fifty-five European, North American and Latin

American buyers visited the Bogotá Audiovisual Market

and the same thing happened. But this time their surprise

was even greater when they discovered the audiovisual

production and services infrastructure that makes this

country extremely competitive when compared to other

Latin American countries.

Colombia: The Best Kept Secret in Latin America

Strange as it may seem, here in Colombia we are not

surprised by any of this; a number of international film

projects have been successfully produced in our country.

Companies like Fox Television, Universal-Telemundo,

Disney-Vista and Paramount (MTV and Nickelodeon) have

either built their own studios in Bogotá or teamed up with

Colombian channels to produce programs sold around

the world. We have our own fast-growing film industry

that has produced award-winning films internationally

recognized at festivals around the world. We have become

the new continental epicenter for the Spanish-speaking

audiovisual industry.

Through the Ministry of Culture and partnerships with

private enterprise, the Colombian government continues

to promote the country in all international arenas as the

best place for all kinds of international productions. We’re

here to provide you with the best guidance and help you

find what you’re looking for. Welcome!

Colombia is a bundle of pleasant surprises. To many,

we are still the best kept secret in Latin America. But we

hope it won’t be for much longer.

Mariana Garcés Córdoba

Minister of Culture



Colombia’s Geographic Location

Colombia: Latin American EpicenterColombia lies in the exact center of the Americas, in

the northwest corner of South America, between the

Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, and shares a border

to the north with Panama, to the east with Venezuela

and Brazil and to the south with Perú and Ecuador.

INTRODUCTION


General InformationOfficial Name Republic of Colombia

Capital Bogotá, 7 million inhabitants

GDP (PPPUS$Billion)* (2009) $407

Population (2009) 46.3 million inhabitants (77% urban, 23% rural)

GDP per capita** (2009) $9.180 USD

GDP growth (2009) 2.5%

Inflation (2010) 3.2%

Exports (2010) $39,820 million USD

Imports (2010) $40,683 million USD

FDI (2010) $9,482,5 million USD

Literacy Rate 92.1%

Currency Colombian peso (COP)

Minimum wage/month $280 USD

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

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

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

Colombia, except for the archipelago of San Andrés and

Providence located off the coast of Central America.

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).

423,971 Km2

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

Comparison

675,417 Km2

(260,780 sq. mi.)

Source: President's Office of Colombia, Banco de la República

(Central Bank) and Proexport

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GovernmentLatin America´s oldest democracy with three branches:

executive, legislative and judicial. The President of the

Republic, as well as senators and congressmen, are

elected by popular vote every four years.

Population (2009)Colombia is the third most populated country in Latin

America after Brazil and Mexico. 77% of its 46.3 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.* Movable holiday: when they do not fall on a Monday, these holidays are

observed the following Monday.

January 1 New Year`s Day

January 6* Epiphany

March 19* Saint Joseph's Day

April 9 Maundy Thursday

April 10 Good Friday

May 1 Labor Day

May 21 Ascension of Jesus

June 11* Corpus Christi

June 30* Sacred Heart

July 3* Saint Peter and Saint Paul

July 20 Independence Day

August 7 Battle of Boyacá

August 15* Assumption of Mary

October 12* Columbus Day

November 1 All Saints’ Day

November 11* Independence of Cartagena

December 8 Immaculate Conception

December 25 Christmas Day

Public Holidays in Colombia

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.

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.


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A Cultural Nation

Main Cultural Events

Colombia is an epicenter of major international

cultural events:

Iberoamerican Theater Festival

This is one of the largest theater festivals in the world.

It takes place every two years in Bogotá during Holy

Week and has been going on since 1988. The next

festival is scheduled for 2010.

www.festivaldeteatro.com.co

Hay Festival

Has taken place in Cartagena every February since

2005.

www.hayfestival.com

World Poetry Festival

One of the largest of its kind in the world, this festival has

taken place every June since 1991 in the city of Medellín.

www.festivaldepoesiademedellin.org

Cartagena International Music Festival

This festival has taken place every January since 2006

in the city of Cartagena.

www.cartagenamusicfestival.com

Bogotá International Book Fair

This event is the second largest of its kind in Latin

America and has been taking place since 1988.

www.feriadellibro.com

Manizales Theater Festival

One of South America´s oldest theater festivals, this

event has been granted cultural heritage status by the

Colombian government. It has taken place since 1968.

www.festivaldemanizales.org

Barranquilla International Carnival of Arts

Takes place in Barranquilla in February in the days

preceding the Carnival in Barranquilla.

www.fundacionlacueva.org

Cultural 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.

INTRODUCTION

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Film Festivals Throughout the Country

Cartagena Film Festival

Since 1960 this event has taken place at the end

of February or beginning of March and is one of

America´s oldest film festivals.

www.festicinecartagena.org

Bogotá Film Festival

This festival takes place in October since 1984 in the

nation´s capital.

www.bogocine.com

Colombian Film Festival Feria de las Flores

This event has taken place in Medellín every August

since 2005.

www.festicineantioquia.com/feriadelasflores/flo_201.htm

Santa Fe de Antioquia Film Festival

This event takes place at the beginning of December

and began in 2000.

www.festicineantioquia.com

International Documentary Exhibit

This documentary festival takes place in Bogotá during

September and has been going on since 1999.

www.muestradoc.com

LOOP (Latin American Animation and Video

Game) Festival

This event began in 2003.

www.loop.la

Aside from these festivals, the Bogotá Audiovisual

Market (BAM) — an international business market —

takes place every year at the beginning of July and is

attended by buyers from countries around the world

interested in the products and services on offer to the

international audiovisual market.

Historical, Traditional and Modern Art MuseumsA huge variety of museums with permanent

collections and visiting exhibits offer year-round

special programming: the Gold Museum, National

Museum, Museum of Modern Art (MAMBO), Casa de

la Moneda (Mint Museum), Central Bank´s permanent

collection, Botero Museum, Santa Clara Museum

of Religious Art, Museum of Antioquia, La Tertulia

Museum of Cali.

www.museoscolombianos.gov.co



The Nation´s Economy

Colombia 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.

Coffee is Colombia´s most important agricultural

product and the country leads the world in “suave”

coffee production.

Colombia´s main foreign investors are: USA, Great

Britain, Spain and Mexico.

Foreign direct investment has grown by 323% since

2002 and is one of the largest in Latin America. In

2005, Colombia took in USD 10.252 billion (the highest

number in the nation´s history and nearly five times the

average foreign investment during the past decade).

During 2009, $10,564 USD Millions entered

the country. The country receives wide-spread

international support and enjoys solid international

partnerships.

Large international corporations have operated in

the country for many decades.

In recent years, investments were mainly in

banking (Spanish banks), mining, oil, gold, businesses,

high-tech construction projects (tunnels, highways,

hydroelectric energy, and general infrastructure

projects), and in hotel and tourist services. Some

of the country´s largest international investors

include: Drummond (USA) in coal mining; Glencore

International AG (Switzerland) in refineries; Votorantim

(Brazil) in steelworks; Starwood Hotels & Resorts;

Hewlett Packard, in the technology sector; GE Money

(USA) in the financial sector; and SAB Miller (South

Africa) in the brewery sector.

According to “Doing Business 2011”, Colombia is

third “business friendly” country in Latin America and

is No. 39 of 181 countries worldwide.

Colombia’s Main Exports are:• Agriculture: Coffee, flowers, bananas, meat,

livestock, fish and lumber.

• Mining: Oil and derivatives, natural gas, coal,

ferronickel, gold and emeralds.

• Industry: Chemical substances and products,

food and beverages, confections, basis metallurgic

products, clothing (manufactured), textiles, editorial

and printed products.

• Services: Electricity, hot water and steam,

telecommunications, and cultural activities.



Advantages of Producing in Colombia

through the eyes of a produCer, direCtor or direCtor of

photography, Colombia offers an enormous variety of

loCations for all kinds of audiovisual produCts. in this sense,

Colombia is a Country privileged by nature and history.

Colombia also offers many comparative advantages

over other countries when it comes to audiovisual

production:

• Lower production costs compared with other

countries, especially when it comes to food and

lodging, locations, transportation and travel,

specialized local talent, extras, equipment rentals,

all kinds of studios (television, audio recording

studios, etc.).

• Novelty: most of the scenery has yet to be used in

large and medium-scale international audiovisual

productions.

• 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), Buenos Aires

(6:10 hours), Santiago de Chile (5 hours), Sao Paulo

(5:45 hours), Paris (10:30 hours), Madrid (10 hours),

London (11:40 hours).

• Fiscal stimuli exemption for VAT tax, as outlined

in laws designed to promote service exports. Tax

credits for co-productions with local companies.

• A variety of climates available all year long: snowy

peaks, cold weather, paramos (Andean moors),

temperate and hot regions.

• Colonial villages and cities: Cartagena, Mompox,

Santa Fe de Antioquia, Barichara, Villa de Leyva

and many other cities and villages have preserved

their 17th, 18th and 19th-century colonial

architecture and the plazas, churches, manor

houses, markets and cobblestone streets typical

of the period. These villages and cities seem lost

in time yet offer comfortable hotels and modern

communications services and the infrastructure

needed to host the large groups of people working

on film, television and publicity productions.

• Modern cities: There are large cities in Colombia

such as Bogotá, the nation’s capital, with more

than 8 million inhabitants, and Medellín, the

country’s industrial capital, with more than 2

million inhabitants. These cities are extremely

diverse and enjoy booming cultural, industrial and

business activity. They are filled with a huge array

of international and local settings: tall buildings,

Colombia:Production Savings

2



museums, art galleries, plazas, markets, colonial

and modern neighborhoods, etc.

• Architecture from a Variety of Eras. It’s possible

to find in the same Colombian city preserved

landmarks, estates, homes, buildings from a

variety of eras such as the conquest and colonial

periods, entire neighborhoods built in the 18th and

19th centuries, existing alongside very modern

architecture.

• Ethnically diverse population: Colombians are a

mixed race. Light-skinned Colombians predominate

in certain regions, Afro-Colombians in others. There

are over 80 indigenous groups spread throughout

the territory. Inhabitants of cities and villages offer

a wide range of racial mixtures, which allow for

wonderfully rich casting.

• Similarities with other countries: Varied

landscapes, urban settings, races and cultures make

it possible to produce audiovisuals in Colombia that

replicate landscapes and urban settings in other

countries.

Colombia’s Audiovisual Sector

TelevisionThe Colombian television industry is one of Latin

America´s most developed and professional. Colombia

has exported more than thirty television productions

over the past decade, mainly soap operas, to over

eighty countries around the world including “Betty

la Fea” (“Ugly Betty”), one of the biggest hits on

international channels, “Sin tetas no hay paraíso”

(“Without Tits There Is No Paradise”), “Café con

aroma de mujer” (“Coffee with a Woman´s Scent”) and

many others.

There are currently two private TV channels in

Colombia, two public channels and one mixed channel,

one local private channel in Bogotá, 50 subscription

television concessionaries, eight regional channels, and

over 40 not-for-profit channels including 7 university

stations that cover all the regions. Colombia is

currently in the process of implementing the European

digital land television standard.

Several international companies, including Fox

International, are currently producing projects in

Colombia. Fox has its own studios in Bogotá where

they produce internationally-broadcast series such

as “Mental” and recentlyDisney and Sony have been

producing series in Bogotá.

Colombia is home to highly qualified producers,

directors, actors, art directors, and post-production

professionals - as good as the world´s best talent

in areas such as television series and soaps, reality

shows, documentaries, cultural and children´s

programming, animated series, etc. Colombia´s private

channels produce programming that is broadcast

internationally.

AdvertisingThe 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: PRODUCTION SAVINGS



Colombia - some of them specializing in production for

international brands and agencies.

An average of thirty spots is produced for foreign

clients every year and the market has grown at a

rate of 80% every year since 2005. The following

companies recently produced spots in Colombia:

Visa, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Frito Lay, Nestle, Sneakers,

Budweiser, Amstel, and many others.

Rental companies specializing in state-of-the-

art equipment and technology offer production and

postproduction services for commercials.

Several production companies work in association

with international producers from the US, Mexico and

Argentina.

The advertising market in Colombia generates

approximately USD 3 billion annually. Colombia boasts

highly-qualified advertising talent and production

professionals who compete on the same level with

those in other countries.

FilmFilms have been made in Colombia since 1915 and the

country’s first feature film “María” premiered in 1922.

The past five years have seen the release of

approximately 50 Colombian films, many of them

awarded honors at major festivals around the world.

Among the most successful are Carlos Moreno’s

“Perro come perro” (“Dog eat Dog”), selected for

the Sundance Film Festival in 2008, and “Todos

tus muertos” (“All your dead ones”) by the same

director, awarded Best Photography in the World

Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2011 Sundance

Festival. Director Oscar Ruiz Navia’s first feature film

“El vuelco del cangrejo” (“Crab Trap”) was selected

for a number of international festivals and won the

Special Jury Award for Best First Film at the Havana

International New Latin American Film Festival. Ruiz

Navia was also chosen to participate in the Cannes

Film Festival’s Residence along with Ruben Mendoza

whose first feature “La sociedad del semáforo” (“The

Spotlight Society”) won a number of grants during

several production stages, including a World Cinema

Fund grant from the Berlin Film Festival, the French

Fonds Sud Cinema grant, and a screenwriting grant

from Spain’s Carolina Foundation. “Los colores de la

montaña” (“The colours of the mountain”) by director

Carlos Cesar Arbeláez won the Kutza New Directors

Award at the 58th San Sebastian International Film

Festival in 2010, the Films in Progress award at the

22nd Recontres Cinéma d’Amérique Latine and the

Audience Award and Honorable Mention from the jury

of the Ronda International Festival in Spain. Gabriel

Rojas’s “Karen llora en un bus” (“Karen cries in a

bus”) was selected for the Berlin Film Festival Forum

in 2011 and Carlos Gaviria’s “Retratos en un mar

de mentiras” (“Portraits in a sea of lies”) has won a

number of international awards including Best Ibero-

American Film at the 2010 Guadalajara International

Film Festival in Mexico. “Los viajes del viento” (“The

wind journeys”) by director Ciro Guerra was selected

for Un Certain Regard section of the 2009 Cannes

Film Festival.

The presence of Colombian films at international

festivals has been so powerful that Diana Sanchez,

programmer for the Toronto International Film

Festival wrote the following in the 2010 festival

program: “The best directors in the coming decade

will be Colombian.”

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 “Bunker”, for example, is co-

produced with Fox International Productions). Several

have secured financial support through the Ibermedia

Program, whose calls-for-entry offer financial aid and

technical support to filmmakers in member countries

for development of co-production projects by

independent producers in Ibero-American countries.

Several local production companies work

independently or co-produce with their international

homologues.

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).

The Film Law introduced tax incentives for those

investing in or donating to Colombian film productions

or co-productions, including deductions of up to

125% of the amount invested or donated. The Film

Development Fund provides financial grants through

a process of call-for-entries offered for all stages of

film production, including co-productions between

Colombia and producers from other countries. These

grants are non-refundable.

There is a large documentary community in

Colombia. Year after year, filmmakers produce an

average of 20 documentaries exhibited nationally and

internationally.

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 “Pequeñas voces” by Jairo Carrillo and Oscar

Andrade at the Venice Days section of the Venice

International Film Festival in 2010.



Infrastructure for Audiovisual Production

The 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. Film is undergoing a

promising awakening; many Colombian feature films

and documentaries compete annually at film festivals

throughout the Americas and Europe.

All this activity is supported by courses of study

at universities, several of which, such as advertising

programs, have been around for decades. Film

studies have become particularly popular at traditional

universities and new schools and academic centers

around the country. Young people are particularly

interested, constantly producing short films, videos,

and video-art on all kinds of formats including one

minute films and music videos.

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 – Colombia has

one of the best TV industries in Latin America and

exports products to over 80 countries around the

world. This talent can also be found in national and

international advertising agencies and production

companies that produce an average of 30 international

commercials each year and in the film industry, which

in 2010 released 10 Colombian features, most of them

co-produced with other countries and recognized at

international festivals in the Americas and Europe.

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,

which makes it possible to negotiate directly with

audiovisual produCtion in Colombia is booming. the Colombian

television industry suCCessfully exports programs –espeCially

soap operas– to a number of Continents and is now a Constant

sourCe of programming for the latin us market.




personnel required. 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.

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.

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. This year, a multinational

laboratory with headquarters in Chile, Mexico, Brazil

and Argentina will open its doors in Bogotá.

Digital/VFX Composing

Software: Flame, Flint, Smoke, After Effects, Mocha,

Nule.

3D Animation

Stereoscopic postproduction.

Final cut

Units equipped with 4:4:4 technology to be used in HD

SR format.

Screening room and 4K colour correction

-Assimilate scratch and Tangent Theatrical Mastering

modules for 4K color correction. Side by side

screening with a Sony 4k digital projector.

-Specially designed software for data composing from

SD to 4K.

Tape Room

-Duplication and conversion of all SD/HD, HD SR

formats.

Master conforming

-Delivery to all formats and distribution under

international protocols.

Telecine

-Spirit data cine with 2K Da Vinci colour corrector in

SD, HD and SR formats.

-16mm and 35mm, film to tape and tape to tape

transfers.

Lab facilities

- 16mm and 35mm processing and printing.

- Kodak image care accredited lab.

-Digital record.

Scanning and recording

ARRI LASER. Laser tecnology recorder, worldwide

standard to print to 35mm for digital intermediate

processes.

Sound

-Dolby 5.1 accredited sound mixing facilities.

-Audio postproduction, dialogue editing, ADR and

Foley facilities, dubbing, sound special effects, voices

casting and sound design for film, documentaries,

spots, television and web content.

-Independent sound designers, sound editors, re-

recording mixers and music composers.

Production Sound

Digital recording in 2 or 4 channels, Sennheizer

booms, wireless monitoring systems and everything

needed for any film or HD shoot. Multichannel digital

equipment, boom microphones, lavalier, plant,

monitoring on set, digital delivery.

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.

• 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. I-pads 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

• 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/secciones/

directorio_servicios.php


45WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM




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.

National and international companies such as Hertz

Rent-a-Car, Colombia Rent-a-Car, Andes Auto Rental

and ABC Rent-a-Car provide rent-a-car services to the

principal regions.

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.

There is an extensive banking network in Colombia

including national banks Banco de Bogotá, Banco

Popular, Bancolombia, Banco de Crédito, Banco de

Occidente, Banco Caja Social, Banco Davivienda,

Banco Colpatria, Banagrario, AV Villas) and foreign

capital institutions (Banco Santander, Royal Bank of

Scotland, CITIBANK, HSBC, GNB Sudameris, BBVA)

with branches throughout the country.

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, Iberia and Air France

fly directly to Bogotá, some of them to Cartagena,

Barranquilla and Medellín. Avianca, Colombia’s major

airline also handles international flights to Miami, New

York, Los Angeles, among others.

Over twenty international passenger airlinesoperate

inside Colombia; international flights to Colombia have

doubled in the past seven years. Currently there are

555 international flights to and from Colombia every

week, a relatively large number for the region if one

considers that only 363 international flights operate in

and out of Perú every week.

Colombia´s main airports are: Nuevo Dorado

located in the city of Bogotá; Ernesto Cortissoz, 7

kilometers outside the city of Barranquilla; Palmaseca,

18 kilometers outside Cali; Crespo in the city of

Cartagena; and Rionegro, 45 kilometers outside

Medellín. A variety of local airlines such as Avianca,

Aero República, Satena and Easy Fly connect the

Colombian provinces. There are a total of seventy-three

airports, none of them further than a two-hour flight

from the capital of Bogotá.

A number of private companies specialize in

helicopter and small plane services throughout the

country.

www.aerocivil.gov.co




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.

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 nine years international visitors in Colombia

doubled. While tourism in the world increased 6,7%, in

Colombia this trend increased 8,9% in 2010.

Several international hotel chains such as Hilton,

Sheraton, Starwood, Marriot, and Holiday Inn operate

in Colombia along with first-class national chains such

as Hoteles Estelar, Hoteles Royal, and GHL Hoteles.

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.

Because of the country´s wonderfully diverse

natural environments, many hotels and resorts

specialize in environmental and eco-tourism and offer

a variety of ecological and recreational activities,

especially in the National Parks. Backpackers are

welcome at specialized hostels and shelters set up

around the country for this type of tourism.

RestaurantsRestaurants throughout the country, particularly in

major cities such as Bogotá, Cartagena, Cali and

Medellín, are currently enjoying gastronomical

success, offering all kinds of national and international

cuisine.

Bogotá has become a gastronomical center and

typical Colombian food from many regions has attracted

international attention because of its variety, quality and

originality. Anthony Bourdain, the traveling chef whose

television program airs on the Travel and Living channel,

defines Colombian cooking in the following terms: “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”.

Colombia´s famous “rumba” deserves its own

special mention. “Vamos de rumba” is a phrase heard

everywhere you go in this country and translates as:

“Let´s party!” or “Let´s have a party!” Where? When? It

doesn´t matter. The important thing is the festive spirit

that makes people all over Colombia ready to dance,

make music, share with friends and celebrate life. If you

visit Colombia, we suggest you accept any invitation to

“rumbear”.


Testimonials

It was particularly moving to revisit where we had shot

"The Mission" so many years ago, and to see how

everything has blossomed since those more troubled

times. I tell everyone who will listen about the change,

and will encourage production planners to include

Colombia in their thinking wherever possible.

Iain Smith, Uk producer, Applecross

Productions.

“I leave Colombia very happy; I’ve worked with

excellent and very professional technicians.”

Silvia Quer, Operation Checkmate Director.

"We’re confident our investment in Teleset will result in

content that functions not only in Latin America but in

other US Hispanic markets."

T.C. Schultz , General Manager, Sony Pictures

Television International.

“I really hope to go back. I really love Colombia. I had

a great experience there. I’ve only been there once.

I went to Bogotá for about 4-5 days. I was brought

down by some people to look at the possibility of

shooting there. I realized immediately it’s a fantastic

place to make movies. There are great crews, people

who are experienced, and a lot of good TV and

commercial crews. What’s amazing about the country

is the landscape is untapped in terms of filming for

American movies or more international movies”.

Greg Shapiro, Producer.

“I’ve had two major working experiences in Colombia,

in Cartagena, and mixing the French and Colombian

crew works out extremely well. I have a long

trajectory as a film technician, it has been 25 years

since I started working in this industry and I would

dare say that the moment we have this mix, this

marriage, it works even better than a purely French,

or even purely Colombian film. This union of the two

crews, of the two cultures, contributes a lot. About

the shooting conditions in town, what I like about

Cartagena is that nothing is blocked. Sometimes, it can

be a little complicated, as in any city of the world. If

you shoot in a French city, or in New York, it may be

very difficult. There is always someone willing to help

us solve the situation, to understand the needs of the

film, at the end everything worked out excellent”.

Alain Monne, Director "Cartagena".

Jeff and I fell in love with Colombia several years ago

when we set out to develop a feature-length fiction film

based on the true story of the first Peace Community

in Urabá, Colombia. Since then, we’ve tried to remain

as close as possible to the country, both in our work

and in our daily lives. In “The Two Escobars”, we not

only worked with a film crew comprised of mostly

Colombians; Jeff and I also rented an apartment in

Medellín where we spent almost half of last year…

Now that production on “The Two Escobars” is over,

Jeff and I are getting back to the feature film. It’s a

real pleasure to continue to work in Colombia and,

especially, to be able to tell another moving story (like

the story of Andrés Escobar’s life): the story of the first

Peace Community. We feel it’s important to present

Colombian stories that tell the truth about this country;

not just drug trafficking, violence, guerrillas and all the

negative stuff that usually shows up in the media.

Michael Zimbalist, co-director "The Two

Escobars".

International Productions in Colombia

3

INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS IN COLOMBIA



Recent International Feature Films

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 Santa

Marta, 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.

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.

Telemovies

Sam Axe and the Flaming Sword

Director: Jeffey Donovan

Production Company: Production Services company

in Colombia-Foxtelecolombia

Locations: Bogotá and surroundings.

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

Pedro Balmaceda.

Tv Series

Mental (2009) (USA)

Production Company: Fox International Channels

(FiC), Foxtelecolombia.

Locations: Bogotá, Colombia .

Cast: Chris Vance, Jacqueline McKenzie, Annabella

Sciorra.

Tiempofinal(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.

Gentlemen prefer them dumb (2009/2010)

(Latin America)

Production Company: Sony Pictures International

television, Laberinto Cine y Televisión, Colombia.

Locations: Bogotá

Cast: Valerie Domínguez, Juan Pablo Raba, Michelle

Manterola.

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.

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.

Advertising Spots

Client: AT&T

Year: 2011.

Director: Oscar Azula.

Production Company: RCN Comerciales.

Location: Bogota, Colombia.

Aired: USA.

Client : Avianca Taca

Year: 2011

Director: Pablo Flehner

Production Company: Akira Cine

Location: Bogota – Girardot, Colombia

Aired: Colombia and Avianca planes to all their

destinations.

Client: Aigo

Year: 2010.

Director: Jorge Navas.



Aired: China.

Client: Bon Fiest

Year: 2010.

Director: Giovanni Granada

Production Company: Metro Studio


Client: Cartagena Music Festival

Year: 2010

Director: Pablo Flehner Y Juan Rueda


Location: Cartagena, Colombia

Aired: Internet.

Client: Copa Airlines

Year: 2010.

Director: Jose Maria Angel and Jaime Gonzalez

Production Company: Colombo Films


Aired: Latin America.

Client: Corona

Year: 2010.

Director: Agustín Alberdi

Production Company: Landia

Production services Colombia: Tribu Int.

Location: Santa Marta and Bogota, Colombia.

Aired: All Latin America.

Client : General Motors – Captiva Sport

Year: 2010

Director: Pablo Flehner


Location: Santander, Colombia

Aired: Colombia - Ecuador - Korea.

Client: Johnnie Walker (UK)

Year: 2010.

Director: Alessandro Angulo

Production Company: Laberinto Producciones Ltda.

Location: Choachí, Cundinamarca, Colombia.

Client: Pepsi

Year: 2010.

Director: Jader Rangel.

Production Company: Rhayuela Films.

Location: Girardot, Colombia.

Aired: Honduras.

Client: Powerade

Year: 2010.

Director: Claudio Miranda

Production Company: Saville


Location: Santa Marta and Bogota, Colombia.

Aired: Worldwide.

Client: Procter & Gamble Peru-Gillette

Year: 2010.

Director: Jader Rangel.



Aired: Peru.




Client: Timberland

Year: 2010.

Director: Gil Grenn

Production Company: 350 Films



Aired: All Latin America

Client: Wyeth Consumer Healthcare-

Chapstick

Year: 2010.

Director: Tana Vallejo



Aired: Latin America

Client: Yodora

Year: 2010.




Client: Winny

Year: 2009.




Client: Azaleia

Year: 2008.

Director: Oscar Azula.


Location: Bogotá.

Aired: Brazil-Colombia.

Client: Coca-Cola, Gladiator

Year: 2008.

Director: José Luis Rugeles


Location: Bogotá.

Aired: Latin America.

Client: Nat Geo- Earth Day

Year: 2008

Director: Camilo Matiz



Aired: Latin America




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

Bunker

Director: Andi Baiz

Production Company: Dynamo, Colombia; Fox

Sanford Panitch International Productions, USA;

Avalon, Cactus Flower; Spain.

Location: Bogotá, Colombia; Barcelona, Spain.

Cast: Quim Gutiérrez, Clara Lago, Martina García.

El Páramo a.k.a The Squad

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.

Porfirio

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 Hook

Director: Sandra Higuita

Production Company: Independencia Realizaciones,

Colombia; Never Land, Spain.

Location: Medellín, Capurgana, Colombia.

Cast:Miller Quintero, Daniel Estrada, Carlos Bardem,

Nacho Vidal.

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

El Jefe (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

Contracorriente (2010)

Director: Javier Fuentes León

Production Company: Dynamo, Colombia; El

Calvo Films, Peru; Neue Cameo Film, Germany; La

Cinefacture, France.

Location: Peru

Cast: Manolo Cardona, Cristián Mercado, Tatiana

Astengo.

Del amor y otros demonios (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.

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.

Los Colores de la Montaña (2010)

Director: Carlos César Arbelaez

Production Company: El Bus Producciones, RCN

Cine, Ennova, Colombia; Jaguar Films, Panama.

Location: Jardín, Antioquia.

Cast: Hernán Ocampo, Norberto Sánchez, Genaro

Aristizábal

Rabia (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.

Crab Trap (2009)

Director: Oscar Ruiz

Production Company: Contravía Films, Colombia;

Arizona Films, Belgium.

Location: La Barra, Colombian Pacific Coast.

Cast: Rodrigo Vélez, Arnobio Salazar, Jaime Andrés

Castaño, Yisela Álvarez.

El Arriero (2009)

Director: Guillermo Calle

Production Company: RCN Cine, Fundación

Lumiere, Colombia; Spain.

Location: Bogotá, Barranquilla, Colombia; Madrid,

Spain.

Cast: Julián Díaz, Maria Cecilia Sánchez, Paco

Hidalgo, Paula Castaño.

The Blood and the Rain (2009)

Director: Jorge Navas

Production Company: Efe-X Cine, Patofeofilms,

Hangar Films, Colombia; Lagartocine, Argentina.

Location: Bogotá.

Cast: Kike Mendoza, Gloria Montoya, Hernán

Méndez.

The Stoplight Society (2009)

Director: Rubén Mendoza

Production Company: Diafragma Fábrica de

Películas, Laberinto Producciones, Colombia; El

Baile Films, Spain; Gangstar Films, Germany;

Cinsud Promotion, France.

Location: Bogotá.

Cast: Alexis Zuñiga, Abelardo Jaimes, Gala Bernal.

The Wind Journeys (2009)

Director: Ciro Guerra

Production Company: Ciudad Lunar, Colombia;

Razor Films, ZDF, Germany; Cine Ojo, Primer Plano,

Argentina; Volya Films, Nederland.

Location: Valledupar, Mompox, Cienaga, Portete,

Bosconia.

Cast: Yull Nuñez, Marciano Martínez

60 61WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM


Regions:Each a Unique Setting

Land of Mega-Diversity

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 cli mates 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. Every one of these regions

offers the right setting for a huge array of audiovisual

productions.

• Colombia hosts 10% of the planet´s flora and fauna.

The Amazon region (covering close to 35% of the

national territory) is especially rich with hot and

steamy tropical jungle plains and heavy rainfall, and

is considered one of the planet´s major reserves for

biodiversity.

• 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 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.

• 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.

Each of these basins includes thousands of springs,

creeks, streams and rivers along with extensive

swamps forming a country of water between the

Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

• 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.

• There are more than ten cities in Colombia with

over 500,000 inhabitants.

• 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.

4



Bogotá: The Nation’s Capital

General Description• Bogotá, the nation’s capital, is home to over 7

million people and lies on the Cundinamarca-

Boyaca savannah some 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 –film,

television and advertising spots– is concentrated

in Bogotá because of the city’s superior and more

extensive technical infrastructure for all kinds

of productions (recording studios, sound stages,

equipment rental companies, the main private

television channels, and international advertising

agencies) and because much of the provincial

technical and professional talent has relocated to

Bogotá.

• 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.

• Bogotá was applauded at the 2006 Venice Biennale

for its exemplary transformations during the last

15 years, the fruit of joint efforts by several of the

city’s administrations.

• Bogotá’s economic and cultural activity has made

it one of Latin America’s leading international

centers. Over the past 50 years the city has

hosted the Bogotá Industrial Fair, where products

from 5 continents are exhibited and sold; the

Iberoamerican Theater Festival; the International

Book Fair, and many others.

• The city has also become a gastronomical and

commercial focal point for people from all over the

continent thanks to the great variety of high-quality

restaurants and shopping centers.

• The Gold Museum, unique in the world, contains

the most complete and exquisite collection of

pre-Colombian metalwork by the ancient peoples

who once inhabited Colombia. Other noteworthy

museums include the National Museum, the



Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Religious

Art, the architecture of its many churches, the many

contemporary art galleries, the Botanic Gardens,

Maloka (the children’s science and art museum), etc.

• 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

Regions for Filming and Locations

the Colombian film Commission will aCCompany, Consult and

provide information on six of Colombia’s largest regions:

Caribbean, bogotá region, Central andean, CauCa valley

region, eastern, and amazon. in all these regions you’ll

find adequate infrastruCture and seCurity Conditions for

big-budget investments and for lodging and transporting

personnel partiCipating in your projeCts.

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.

• There are national and international hotels ranging

from 3 to 5 stars and many inns and hostels for

backpackers. There are also hotels specializing in

business travelers.

• Recent years have seen a drastic increase in visitors

interested in Bogotá’s restaurants. International

cuisine on offer is varied and of the highest quality,

as is the food served in typical Colombian restaurants

featuring regional dishes Caribbean, Pacific, and

from the Antioquia, Valle del Cauca and Santander

provinces, etc.) and in restaurants specializing in

international twists on Colombian dishes.

Other suggested special locations include Mompox,

La Lajas and the Chocó province, unique for their

beauty or history and extremely attractive for film

projects.

The above regions do not correspond to the

country’s administrative, geographical or political

divisions; they were defined by the Film Commission

based on three fundamental requirements: their

unique racial, cultural and environmental identity,

security conditions, and, as noted before, lodging and

transportation infrastructure.

The Commission recommends that producers

and directors contact the Film Commission offices

in Bogotá to obtain detailed information relevant

to their specific projects and take advantage of the

Commission’s consulting and accompaniment services

when scouting for locations and contracting all

necessary services. If you want detailed information

visit the service directory and location’s gallery on our

website:

www.locationcolombia.com

REGIONS: EACH A UNIQUE SETTING



Caribbean Region

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: Cartagena de Indias,

Barranquilla, Santa Marta and San Andrés, 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.

• The Caribbean region 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 with its gorgeous bays and white-sand inlets

perfect for environmental and eco-tourism. Crystal-

clear 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 such as the Tayronas and

the Coguis, both descendants of the Maya people.

• 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. Inside the Grand

Cienaga lies the picturesque fishing village of Cienaga

with its wooden houses overhanging the water.

• Ports: 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. San Andrés and

Providencia is visited by boats and private yachts but

there is no public maritime passenger transportation

to the islands from other Colombian ports.

• There is a regional television channel called

Telecaribe and two universities with Film and

Television and Communications departments.

Trained personnel with experience on large-scale

productions filmed in the past few years are also

available.




Principal cities

Cartagena de Indias

• Is a gorgeous historic city whose splendid past has

been preserved. During the Spanish conquest the

city was Spain’s leading port. Phillip II ordered the

walls of the city (still standing) built to protect the

city from attacks by British pirates.

• Nowadays, Cartagena is home to 600 thousand

inhabitants and a world-class cultural and tourist

center. The Unesco granted the city World Heritage

status.

• Average temperature: 27 °C (80.6 °F) year round.

Annual rainfall is scant given its location in the

tropics and along an ocean shore.

Barranquilla

• This river port located on the great Magdalena

River only a few kilometers from where the

river runs into the Caribbean is home to 1 million

inhabitants. Barranquilla was founded in 1629 and

has preserved many beautiful early 20th-centry

buildings and centenary constructions as well as

entire neighborhoods of Republican-era mansions

such as the El Prado neighborhood.

• Average temperature: 28 °C (82.4 °F).

Santa Marta

• • Sits on a beautiful bay of calm waters from where

the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa

• Marta can be seen. Simon Bolivar, who liberated

Colombia and five other American republics, died

• in Santa Marta at the San Pedro Alejandrino Estate,

now a famous national monument. Approximately

400 thousand people live in the national and

international tourist center of Santa Marta whose

beautiful Caribbean streets and squares have

survived for over four centuries.

• • Average temperature: 28 °C (82.4 °F).

San Andrés

• Is the capital of the San Andrés and Providence

archipelago in the Caribbean Sea off the coast

of Central America. San Andrés is a national and

international tourist port and its tiny capital lies

on one of the island’s tips, surrounded by coral

reefs. The native inhabitants are for the most part

descendants of African slaves and English sailors.

The city has no sales tax (unlike the rest of the

country) in order to stimulate tourist trade and

development.

Providence Island

• 30 minutes by air from San Andrés, lies on one of

the Caribbean’s most extensive and beautiful coral

reefs. Unlike San Andrés, Providence is a volcanic

island, mountainous and with dense vegetation as

well as fruit orchards and sugar cane.

• Average temperature: 28 °C (82.4 °F) with a hot,

semi-humid climate.

Central Andean Region

General Description

• This region includes Colombia’s three coffeegrowing

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; carrilera music and Andean airs can

be heard on jukeboxes; in Sunday markets all over

the region village squares are crowded with people

visiting the town to do business and shop; people are

nice, friendly, open, fast-talking and witty.

• Many coffee plantations have diversified their

activities and some have turned their traditional

WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM 69




estate homes with beautiful architecture typical of

the coffee-growing region into comfortable and

pleasant hostels and recreational resorts that can

be rented to national and international eco-tourists.

• 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!.

• Major cities in the region include Medellín,

Manizales, Pereira, Armenia and Ibagué.

• Two regional television channels, Telecafé and

Teleantioquia, serve this region. The University

Television Production Center in Medellín and Canal

U. Medellín operate in Medellín, and Manizales

offers training programs in film, television

and communications. Small production and

postproduction houses operate in Medellín and

trained personnel with experience in recent large

productions are available.

Principal Cities

Medellín

• Surrounded by mountains, is home to some 2

million people. The city is a hub for industrial and

commercial activity and has some of the most

important universities in the country. The city

has an active cultural life with many worthwhile

museums and art galleries, especially the Museo de

Antioquia, which houses the collection of Fernando

Botero, the city’s most famous painter.

• Average temperature: 22.5° C (72° F).

Manizales

• Sits on a ridge above the spectacular landscape

of several Colombian departments. With

approximately 420 thousand inhabitants, it is one

of the country’s coffee-growing centers and has

preserved many of its older buildings. Manizales

is the quintessential college town and thousands of

young Colombian students come here to study.

• Average temperature: 18.5° C (65° F).

Pereira

• Is a commercial and agro-industrial city located

on the banks of the Otun River at an important

crossroads in Colombia on the highway from

Bogotá to the Pacific coast and close to Medellín

and Cali, two of the country’s most important cities.

Pereira is surrounded by beautiful ranches and

coffee and fruit plantations. Many of the famous

Colombian television series such as “Sin tetas no

hay paraíso” and “El cartel de los sapos” were

filmed in and around Pereira.

• Average temperature: 23° C (73.4° F).

Armenia

• Is located on the slopes of the Central Andean

Range. It’s a small, peaceful and friendly town built

around the coffee trade. Nearby, and in neighboring

villages, coffee plantations and beautiful estates

dedicated to environmental and eco-tourism can

be found. The palm forests of the famous Cocora

Valley are close to Armenia; the wax palm is

Colombia’s national tree.

• Average temperature: 21° C (70° F).




Cauca Valley Region

General 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.

• Since the 1960s, Cali has had an active

filmmakingcommunity 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.

Principal City

Cali

• Is an industrial city and an important cultural center.

It’s famous for its joyful inhabitants, light-skinned

and black in fairly equal proportion, and for its

beautiful women, great salsa (Caribbean music

with roots in New York), countless dancehalls and

academies, and the carnival and bullfighting season

at the end of each year.





Eastern Region

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.

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.

• The region has one regional television station:

TRO. Bucaramanga offers audiovisual production

services for television and advertising spots.

Principal Cities

Tunja

• The old colonial capital of the viceroyship of Nueva

Granada, has preserved several churches from that

era. There are also religious art museums, beautiful

convents and old buildings and colonial homes.


Bucaramanga

• Also known as the city of parks, lies on a high

Andean plateau and is home to 1,6 million

inhabitants. Nearby is the village of Girón, a colonial

town whose traditional one-story, tobacco and

white-colored houses and cobblestone streets

remain intact. It’s close to the Chicamocha canyon,

a deep and spectacular shining stone canyon, which

has become a major national tourist attraction.


Villa de Leyva

• Founded in 1572, this town was declared a

National Monument because of its architectural

beauty preserved in numerous beautiful

constructions and buildings such as the 17th-

century church and enormous 14,000-square

• 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

meter (150,000-square feet) plaza, its cobblestone

streets, colonial houses with majestic gates,

balconies, archways and tiled roofs that have made

it a world-class tourist attraction.


Barichara

• Funded in 1705 and now a National Monument, is a

prestigious tourist attraction. Its architecture dates

from the late 18th century and is a fine example of

Andalusian urban development typical of that time.

The entire town seems lost in time with its beautiful

old homes and indoor courtyards, its stone churches,

cobblestone streets, and cemeteries with allegorical

stone crosses and sculptures that pay tribute to the

architectural and artistic virtues of stone.

• Average temperature: 21° C (70° F).




Amazon Region

General 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 fever vaccination is required at least ten days

before traveling.

• Average temperature: 30 °C (86 °F)



Special Locations

the Colombian film Commission reCommends another region, a

City and a national monument with a speCial Charm and beauty

worth Considering, although far from the beaten traCk and

more diffiCult to aCCess.

• The Darien Gap lies along the border with Panama.

Given the wild and tortuous nature of the landscape,

it has been impossible to complete the stretch of

construction on the Pan-American Highway uniting

North and South America that passes through the

region.

• 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.

• Chocó is a mega-diverse region rich in native flora

and fauna and is home to one of the world’s widest

variety of frogs and reptiles.

Mompox

General Description:

• 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

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.

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 famous for big game fishing for Marlin,

Swordfish and Sailfish. There are hotels along both

coasts but they must be accessed by air.

• The capital of Chocó, Quibdó, lies along the

Atrato River and has approximately 160 thousand

inhabitants. Other towns in the region include Bahía

Solano and Nuquí on the Pacific coast, and Acandí

on the Caribbean coast.

• 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. There are no highways and most of the

region’s transportation takes place on the swift

rivers.

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

• Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park

• Tatamá National Park

• Tayrona National Park

• Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta Flora and Fauna

Sanctuary

• El Mono Hernández Flora and Fauna Sanctuary

• Iguaque Flora and Fauna Sanctuary

• Los Colorados Flora and Fauna Sanctuary

• Guanentá Alto and Río Fonce Flora and Fauna

Sanctuaries

• Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuaries

• Isla de Salamanca Parkway

CARTAGENA

MEDELLÍN

BOGOTÁ

CALI

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 are:

• Amacayacu National Park

• Cahuinari National Park

• Chingaza National Park

• Cocuy National Park

• Corales del Rosario National Park

• Farallones de Cali National Park

• Las Hermosas National Park

• Las Orquídeas National Park

• Los Nevados National Park

• Macuira National Park

• Nevado del Huila National Park

• Old Providence National Park

• Pisba National Park

• Río Puré National Park

• Selva de Florencia National Park

• Serranía de los Yariguies National Park



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 following

documents to the Ministry of Culture:

• Written request addressed to the Ministry of

Culture’s Film OfficeDirección de Cinematografía del

Ministerio de Cultura (for films) or to the Ministry

of Culture’s Communications Office Dirección de

Comunicaciones (for television projects) 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, the

arrival and departure date, 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.

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 88 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.

Important Informationfor Producers

5

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PRODUCERS



The following are the most common visas required of

foreigners wishing to visit Colombia for reasons other

than tourism:

BusinessBusiness professionals, industrialists, executives and

sales professionals wishing to enter the country to do

business or perform market studies.

WorkPersons contracted by local companies to perform

specialized activities, technicians, journalists, members

of artistic groups, legal representatives, and others.

Resident InvestorForeign national making a direct foreign investment in

his or her own name, under the terms of International

Investment Regulations.

Countries not Requiring a Tourist Visa to Visit ColombiaAndorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia,

Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia,

Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cypress, Czech

Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador,

Finland, France, Germany, Granada, Great Britain

and Northern Ireland, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana,

Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Iceland,

Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein,

Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico,

Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama,

Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Dominican

Republic, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino,

Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, St. Lucia,

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Sweden,

Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey,

United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela.

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



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

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:

NationalFilmOfficeResolution 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.

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


Hiring PersonnelCustoms

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

moths.

• 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.

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.



Taxes

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.

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.

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.

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 productions may request

a refund on IVA tax paid for services purchased in

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.



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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.


Entering the Country with Foreign Currency

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

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 non-transferable, 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

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

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.

Through this agreement international producers

can seek financing and assistance for projects to be

made with Colombian producers.

www.programaibermedia.com

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.



Colombia is a Country deserving of

international reCognition for its many

merits: natural environments and

eCosystems, beautiful landsCapes,

ethniC diversity, its talented,

hardworking people, and historiCal

and Cultural wealth.

These merits are highly valued, competitive factors

on the audiovisual production market and Colombia’s

Ministry of Culture, the Vice President’s Office and

Proimágenes Colombia have therefore decided to

market them through the creation and promotion of a

Film Commission similar to those in other countries.

This new Colombian Film Commission wants to

introduce producers, directors and other individuals

working in film, television and advertising to Colombia

and is certain they will find fertile ground for their

favorite dreams in this country. Welcome to Colombia!

It’s not what you’ve heard, it’s what you see!

Colombian FilmCommission

6


Staff

Claudia Triana

Director of Proimágenes Colombia

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

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

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

Sandra Garzón

Information Manager

Audiovisual director and producer specializing in New

Technologies; graduated from the Film and Television

School of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia in

2009.

Sandra has worked in different areas of media

communications, from conceptualization to production

and direction of pieces and products for audiovisual,

radio and Internet distribution.

Film Commission Services

• Make other countries, and especially audiovisual

producers and directors, aware of all the things

Colombia has to offer.

• 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.

• Consult with producers and directors so they

are aware of Colombian legislation regarding

taxes, financing, hiring, customs, permits, visas,

coproduction, etc.

• Facilitate contact with the various businesses,

producers, institutions and authorities related

to their productions in order to make their work

quicker and more effective.

• Advise producers, directors and staff on the most

efficient manner of carrying out their projects in

Colombia.

[email protected]: [57+1] 2870103

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

Address: Calle 35 No. 4-89 (Barrio La Merced)

Bogotá,D.C. - Colombia

COLOMBIAN FILM COMMISSION

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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

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.

http://www.cancilleria.gov.co

http://www.embajada-consulado.com

General Contacts

MinistryofCulture’sFilmOffice

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

we reCommend you Consult:

NationalOfficeofTaxesandCustoms-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

www.cancilleria.gov.co

IDEAM

Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and

Environmental Studies (weather reports)

www.ideam.gov.co


CREDITOS

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ADVERTISERSColombia Awaits You!

The guidebook you’ve just read is

merely a prologue meant to give you

a bird’s-eye view of what awaits you

in Colombia. We hope you’ll visit, get

to know us, and take a look at what

we can do to help you with your

audiovisual project. And remember,

like we said before, Colombia isn’t what

you’ve heard; it’s what you see for

yourself... and much more! Come take

a look!

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Discover a whole new world in productionBringing your ideas to lifeCreating the optimum production experienceSee why market leaders choose Colombo Films

Performance is the DifferenceFilm Television Commercials

Virginia [email protected]

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VC_CF_feb102011.pdf 11-02-10 14.38.09

Production services for film,tv and digital platforms

Content development

Transmedia campaigns

Calle 80 # 8 - 44 · Bogotá D.C. · ColombiaTel.: (57-1) 345 3421 · International line and fax: (1-212) 202 2156

[email protected]

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Aviso Revista Dynamo F.pdf 1 31/03/11 17:14

Colombia a World of Discoveries

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Transcript of Colombia a World of Discoveries