APPLICATIONS are now being accepted from film-makers, animators and creatives for financing of local screen-based projects, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (Jampro) has announced.

The applications fall under the Jamaica Screen Development Initiative (JSDI), a $1-billion financing project which is being implemented by the Government and which, Jampro said, is “aimed at bolstering and enriching the local film industry while attracting destination films”.

“The call for applications for grant and loan support for development, production and post-production (completion) phases will end on April 28, 2024. However, applications for film festivals and market attendance, and applications for marketing and distribution as well as production rebates, will be accepted on a rolling basis,” Jampro said in a news release.

“Applications will be subjected to a validation check to ensure eligibility and assessment by an evaluation panel comprising local and international film industry experts. Assessment factors include the strength of the application, demonstrated track record, and/or ability to progress project development and execution, financial feasibility, market interests and marketing plan, as well as the overall benefit of the project to the Jamaican economy,” the agency added.

Projects eligible for funding include feature films, short films, animated shorts, web series, episodic, mini-series, or reality and unscripted content, Jampro explained. However, music videos, advertisements, news, sports, or daily content, as well as work primarily intended to capture another art form — such as filmed theatre, sporting, or music events, podcasts, livestreams, or influencer content — will not be accepted.

Application guidelines as well as the application form can be found at https://dobusinessjamaica.com/jamaica-screen-development-initiative, Jampro stated.

“The JSDI is a significant commitment by the Government of Jamaica to the country’s creative industries. We look forward to seeing the impact of this investment in creating Jamaican films that can be exported globally and earn our Jamaican creatives much-needed foreign exchange as well as attracting more destination film investors,” the release quoted Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Senator Aubyn Hill.

Jampro President Shullette Cox described the JSDI as an unparalleled economic investment that opens avenues for new, emerging, and established talent to produce high-quality Jamaican content capable of competing on the global stage.

“It is a very exciting time in Jamaica’s film industry and the JSDI is one of the ways in which the Government of Jamaica, acting through Jampro, remains committed to strengthening the film and animation industries to produce highly commercially viable content targeted for domestic and global markets,” Cox said.