Legal aspects of filming in Ukraine

Law of Ukraine “On State Support of Cinematography in Ukraine”

The Law of Ukraine was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on April 26, 2017. In September 2019, the Law amended (through the adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On State Support of Cinematography in Ukraine” regarding the provision of a state subsidy for the return of a part of the qualified expenses incurred by a foreign cinematography entity in the production (creation) of the film in Ukraine” No. 130-IX dated September 20, 2019) and to the Budget Code of Ukraine (by adopting the Law of Ukraine“On Amendments to the Budget Code of Ukraine on State Support of Cinematography” No. 76-IX dated September 12, 2019). The current version of the Law as amended as of 16.06.2020.

The Law defines the principles of state support for cinematography in Ukraine, which aims to create favorable conditions for the development of film production, to establish transparent procedures for state financing projects in the field of cinematography.

The law increased the ability of the state to finance the production of films (compared to those previously stipulated by the law “On Cinematography”), introduced new mechanisms to support cinema, made it possible to finance television series and strengthened copyright protection in audiovisual field.

It is assumed that the implementation of these initiatives will form an economically healthy and balanced system in which attention will be paid to the development and support of all parts of the film process – film education, film production, film distribution and the creation of attractive conditions for shooting films in Ukraine by foreign film groups.

The law provides for cash ribates (return of part of the qualified costs in the production of the film) at 16.6%, support for film studios, cinemas in small towns, mobile cinemas and film commissions, funding for film education, in particular the creation of student films, and activities for preservation and popularization of national cinematic heritage, etc.

Source: Delo.ua

Law of Ukraine “On State Support of Cinematography in Ukraine” (UA)