Colombia A World of Discoveries

Colombia, a World of Discoveries
PRODUCTION GUIDE
Content
Presidents Offce of the Republic of Colombia
Juan Manuel Santos Caldern
President of the Republic of Colombia
Juan Mesa Zuleta
Communications Advisor
Ministry of Culture
Mariana Garcs Crdoba
Minister of Culture
Mara Claudia Lpez Sorzano
Vice Minister of Culture
Enzo Rafael Ariza
General Secretary
Adelfa Martnez
Film Offce Director
Proimagenes Colombia
Claudia Triana de Vargas
Director
Colombian Film Commission
Silvia Echeverri Botero
Commissioner
Lina Mara Snchez Castro
Promotional Activities Manager
Sandra Garzn
Information Manager
Editorial Director and Texts
Alberto Quiroga
Investigation and Editorial Coordination
Lina Mara Snchez Castro
Legal and Technical Texts
Gonzalo Castellanos Valenzuela and PricewaterhouseCoopers
Translation
Sally Station
Design
Mottif
Printing
Industrias Grficas Darbel S.A.
Copy Editors
Silvia Echeverri Botero
Claudia Triana de Vargas
All the photos in this book
were taken by Colombian photographers
Cesar David Martnez, Sergio Trujillo, Carlos Alberto Pineda,
Alberto Sierra, Carlos Mario Lema, Germn Montes, Ricardo
Restrepo, Ivn D. Gaona, Wilfredo Garzn, Silvia Echeverri,
Ricardo Restrepo
Institutional Photography
Bogot Tourism Offce IDT, Cartagena Tourism Offce, 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
Colombias Geographic Location 17
General Information 18
A Culture Nation 23
The Nations Economy 29
2. Colombia: Production Savings 30
Advantages of producing in Colombia 31
Colombias Audiovisual Sector 33
Infrastructure for Audiovisual Production 38
Colombias 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
Bogot: The Nations Capital 63
The Regions for Filming and Locations 65
Special Locations: Mompox, Las Lajas, Choc 78
National Parks
5. Important Information for Producers 84
6. Colombian Film Commission 104
Colombia a World of a Discoveries Production Guide
6 WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM 7 WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM
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 flms, 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 fnd everything on offer by
this country as-yet unknown and undiscovered by
international flmmakers, although numerous flms,
commercials and television series have already been
produced in Colombia.
If youd like more information, please contact the
Colombian Film Commission where youll fnd people
ready to help.
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 infnite treasure that would make them immensely rich,
beyond anyones wildest imagination. They never found
El Dorado. They didnt, couldnt 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-
bias 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 effcient productions possible.
Wed like to invite TV, flm 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 birds eye view of the country;
should you require more information, please contact the
Colombian Film Commission where well 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 flm industry as a way
of raising peoples 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 flm-
makers to participate actively in the dynamic international
flm 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 flm industry. The
results of this legislation were soon apparent; thanks
to this Law Colombia went from releasing two to three
flms per year to an average of ten flms 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 flm projects. Also during
this period and thanks to tax incentives for investors
and donors the private sector has invested 33 million
dollars in flm projects, demonstrating that Colombian
flms can be good business.
These fgures speak for themselves; in the past seven
years, 76 flms have been released along with close to 90
documentaries and 100 short flms, 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 flms 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 governments current goal, with sup-
port from the Ministry of Culture, Proimgenes 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 flms. 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 flmmaking 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 didnt coincide with what
their own eyes were telling them. The frst surprise, aside
from the countrys obvious beauty, was the drive and
vitality of Colombias 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, ffty-fve European, North American and Latin
American buyers visited the Bogot 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 flm
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 Bogot or teamed up with
Colombian channels to produce programs sold around
the world. We have our own fast-growing flm industry
that has produced award-winning flms 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. Were
here to provide you with the best guidance and help you
fnd what youre 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 wont be for much longer.
Mariana Garcs Crdoba
Minister of Culture
Colombias Geographic Location
Colombia:
Latin American Epicenter
Colombia 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 Per and Ecuador.
INTRODUCTION
General Information
Official Name Republic of Colombia
Capital Bogot, 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 Zone
GMT -5. Bogot, the nations capital, is located along
the same meridian as New York. This is true for all of
Colombia, except for the archipelago of San Andrs and
Providence located off the coast of Central America.
Flight Times from Bogot
to Other Important Cities
Around the World
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).
423,971 Km
2
(163, 696 sq. mi.)
1,141,748 Km
2

(440,831 sq. mi.)
Comparison
675,417 Km
2
(260,780 sq. mi.)
Source: President's Office of Colombia, Banco de la Repblica
(Central Bank) and Proexport
20 WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM
Government
Latin Americas 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.
Race
Colombia 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.
Holidays
Colombia 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 Boyac
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
Territory
1,141,748 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 Americas 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.
Climate
Because its a tropical country, the four seasons
dont exist but any climate can be found at any time,
depending on the region, whether youre looking
for extremely cold mountain weather or the steamy
temperatures found in river valleys and along ocean
coastlines.
Seasons
There 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.
Daylight
Located 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.
Language
Spanish, along with sixty-eigth other tongues spoken
by around eighty indigenous groups. English is taught
in most schools.
Principal Cities
Bogot, the capital; Medelln, Cartagena, Santa Marta,
Barranquilla, Cali, Manizales, Pereira, Armenia,
Bucaramanga, Tunja, Leticia.
22 23 WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM WWW.LOCATIONCOLOMBIA.COM
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 Bogot 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 Medelln.
www.festivaldepoesiademedellin.org
Cartagena International Music Festival
This festival has taken place every January since 2006
in the city of Cartagena.
www.cartagenamusicfestival.com
Bogot 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 Americas 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
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
Americas oldest film festivals.
www.festicinecartagena.org
Bogot Film Festival
This festival takes place in October since 1984 in the
nations capital.
www.bogocine.com
Colombian Film Festival Feria de las Flores
This event has taken place in Medelln 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 Bogot 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 Bogot 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 Museums
A 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 Banks permanent
collection, Botero Museum, Santa Clara Museum
of Religious Art, Museum of Antioquia, La Tertulia
Museum of Cali.
www.museoscolombianos.gov.co
The Nations 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.
Colombias industrial and agro-industrial production
and services are extremely diverse and the countrys
economy is Latin Americas fourth largest after Brazil,
Mexico and Argentina.
Coffee is Colombias most important agricultural
product and the country leads the world in suave
coffee production.
Colombias 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 nations history and nearly fve 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 countrys largest international investors
include: Drummond (USA) in coal mining; Glencore
International AG (Switzerland) in refneries; Votorantim
(Brazil) in steelworks; Starwood Hotels & Resorts;
Hewlett Packard, in the technology sector; GE Money
(USA) in the fnancial 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.
Colombias 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 flm, television and publicity productions.
Modern cities: There are large cities in Colombia
such as Bogot, the nations capital, with more
than 8 million inhabitants, and Medelln, the
countrys industrial capital, with more than 2
million inhabitants. These cities are extremely
diverse and enjoy booming cultural, industrial and
business activity. They are flled with a huge array
of international and local settings: tall buildings,
museums, art galleries, plazas, markets, colonial
and modern neighborhoods, etc.
Architecture from a Variety of Eras. Its possible
to fnd 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.
Colombias Audiovisual Sector
Television
The Colombian television industry is one of Latin
Americas 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 paraso
(Without Tits There Is No Paradise), Caf con
aroma de mujer (Coffee with a Womans 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 Bogot, 50 subscription
television concessionaries, eight regional channels, and
over 40 not-for-proft 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 Bogot where
they produce internationally-broadcast series such
as Mental and recentlyDisney and Sony have been
producing series in Bogot.
Colombia is home to highly qualifed producers,
directors, actors, art directors, and post-production
professionals - as good as the worlds best talent
in areas such as television series and soaps, reality
shows, documentaries, cultural and childrens
programming, animated series, etc. Colombias private
channels produce programming that is broadcast
internationally.
Advertising
The worlds 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-qualifed advertising talent and production
professionals who compete on the same level with
those in other countries.
Film
Films have been made in Colombia since 1915 and the
countrys frst feature flm Mara premiered in 1922.
The past fve years have seen the release of
approximately 50 Colombian flms, many of them
awarded honors at major festivals around the world.
Among the most successful are Carlos Morenos
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 Navias frst feature flm
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 Festivals Residence along with Ruben Mendoza
whose frst feature La sociedad del semforo (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 Spains Carolina Foundation. Los colores de la
montaa (The colours of the mountain) by director
Carlos Cesar Arbelez 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 Cinma dAmrique Latine and the
Audience Award and Honorable Mention from the jury
of the Ronda International Festival in Spain. Gabriel
Rojass Karen llora en un bus (Karen cries in a
bus) was selected for the Berlin Film Festival Forum
in 2011 and Carlos Gavirias 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 flms 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 Baizs Bunker, for example, is co-
produced with Fox International Productions). Several
have secured fnancial support through the Ibermedia
Program, whose calls-for-entry offer fnancial aid and
technical support to flmmakers 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 flmmaking in
Colombia: the Colombian Ministry of Cultures Film
Offce, Proimgenes 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 flm productions
or co-productions, including deductions of up to
125% of the amount invested or donated. The Film
Development Fund provides fnancial grants through
a process of call-for-entries offered for all stages of
flm 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, flmmakers produce an
average of 20 documentaries exhibited nationally and
internationally.
Animation
There 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 Pequeas 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 countrys 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 flms
and documentaries compete annually at flm 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 flms, videos,
and video-art on all kinds of formats including one
minute flms and music videos.
Crews
There 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 flm 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 flm crews are known for
their enormous commitment, hard work and
resourcefulness. There are no audiovisual unions
at this time, or fxed 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 flms have begun to
garner international attention, such as Diego Jimenez,
whose camerawork on the flm Todos tus muertos
was awarded the World Cinema Cinematography
Award at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.
Talent
Colombian 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; Sofa 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 Caf,
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 flms.
Special Effects
Several 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 fre and rain. They also have
experience in designing unconventional effects to
meet specifc production needs.
Arms collectors with accredited experience in
television, flms and advertising spots can provide
audiovisual productions with technical, theoretical and
practical knowledge in the handling and use of arms.
Stunts
There are three stunt companies in Colombia, two
of them local and the third transnational. All three
have experience in the feld of stunt work and have
developed 100% of the action scenes flmed for the
national industry in recent years while adhering to
international safety protocol.
Other services include aerial systems, general
and fight 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 Stages
Most sound stages are located in the city of Bogot.
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-Production
Digital 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 Bogot.
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, flm 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 flm, 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 flm or HD shoot. Multichannel digital
equipment, boom microphones, lavalier, plant,
monitoring on set, digital delivery.
Equipment Rentals
There are several television and flm 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 fles
on LTO TAPE. DPX, MOV, TIFF, etc. Wireless H.264
Lighting
Lights: Complete line of Dedolight, Arri, K-5600,
kinofo, 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, refectors, plastic mirrors,
diffusers, nets, fags, 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 Services
National and multinational companies in Colombia can
be consulted for all tax, legal and exchange questions.
They also provide flm insurance for all audiovisual
productions inside Colombia.
Information regarding companies and crew is
available in the Colombian Film Commissions
service directory:
http://www.locationcolombia.com/secciones/
directorio_servicios.php
Transport
The 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
Choc 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 Berro 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
Banking
The Colombian peso is the countrys sole currency.
Major cities have currency exchanges where
international currency can be bought and sold. These
currency exchanges fx purchase and sales prices of
foreign currency based on market tendencies, which
may be higher or lower than the offcial exchange rate.
There is an extensive banking network in Colombia
including national banks Banco de Bogot, Banco
Popular, Bancolombia, Banco de Crdito, 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 offces in large cities offer
extended offce 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.
Colombias General Infrastructure
Air Travel
The country is directly linked to major North American
and European cities with daily fights 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
fy directly to Bogot, some of them to Cartagena,
Barranquilla and Medelln. Avianca, Colombias major
airline also handles international fights to Miami, New
York, Los Angeles, among others.
Over twenty international passenger airlinesoperate
inside Colombia; international fights to Colombia have
doubled in the past seven years. Currently there are
555 international fights to and from Colombia every
week, a relatively large number for the region if one
considers that only 363 international fights operate in
and out of Per every week.
Colombias main airports are: Nuevo Dorado
located in the city of Bogot; 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
Medelln. A variety of local airlines such as Avianca,
Aero Repblica, Satena and Easy Fly connect the
Colombian provinces. There are a total of seventy-three
airports, none of them further than a two-hour fight
from the capital of Bogot.
A number of private companies specialize in
helicopter and small plane services throughout the
country.
www.aerocivil.gov.co
Telecommunications
The 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 countrys 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.
Electricity
The 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.
Health
A 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 Medelln); optometry and
ophthalmology (Barraquer Clinic Bogot); orthodontia;
and plastic surgery in cities such as Bogot, Medelln
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 Accommodations
Tourist 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 refected 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 frst-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 countrys 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.
Restaurants
Restaurants throughout the country, particularly in
major cities such as Bogot, Cartagena, Cali and
Medelln, are currently enjoying gastronomical
success, offering all kinds of national and international
cuisine.
Bogot 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,
defnes 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 favors.
Colombias famous rumba deserves its own
special mention. Vamos de rumba is a phrase heard
everywhere you go in this country and translates as:
Lets party! or Lets have a party! Where? When? It
doesnt 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; Ive worked with
excellent and very professional technicians.
Silvia Quer, Operation Checkmate Director.
"Were confdent 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. Ive only been there once.
I went to Bogot for about 4-5 days. I was brought
down by some people to look at the possibility of
shooting there. I realized immediately its a fantastic
place to make movies. There are great crews, people
who are experienced, and a lot of good TV and
commercial crews. Whats amazing about the country
is the landscape is untapped in terms of flming for
American movies or more international movies.
Greg Shapiro, Producer.
Ive 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 flm 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 flm. 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 diffcult. There is always someone willing to help
us solve the situation, to understand the needs of the
flm, 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 fction flm
based on the true story of the frst Peace Community
in Urab, Colombia. Since then, weve 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 flm crew comprised of mostly
Colombians; Jeff and I also rented an apartment in
Medelln 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 flm. Its a
real pleasure to continue to work in Colombia and,
especially, to be able to tell another moving story (like
the story of Andrs Escobars life): the story of the frst
Peace Community. We feel its important to present
Colombian stories that tell the truth about this country;
not just drug traffcking, 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
Recent International
Feature Films
The Next Three Days (2010)
Director: Paul Haggis
Production Company: Lionsgate, Fidelit flms,
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 flm.
Locations: Los ngeles, USA; Bogot, 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 Nomin, BR flms,
France.
Locations: Cartagena.
Based on the novel by Eric Holder.
Cast: Sophie Marceau, Cristopher Lambert,
Margarita Rosa de Francisco, Lineth Hernndez.
Dr. Alemn (2008)
Director: Tom Schreiber.
Production Company: 2Pilots Filmproduction;
Germany Antorcha Films, production services in
Colombia.
Locations: Cali, Colombia.
Cast: August Diehl, Marleyda Soto, Vctor 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 Garca
Mrquez.
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: Bogot and surroundings.
Cast: Kiel Anne Sanchez, Ron Reaco Monta Lee, Jos
Pedro Balmaceda.
Tv Series
Mental (2009) (USA)
Production Company: Fox International Channels
(FiC), Foxtelecolombia.
Locations: Bogot, Colombia .
Cast: Chris Vance, Jacqueline McKenzie, Annabella
Sciorra.
Tiempo fnal (2007/2008/2009/2010) (Latin
America)
Production Company: Fox International Channels
(FIC), Foxtelecolombia.
Locations: Bogot.
Kdabra (2009/2010) (Latin America)
Production Company: Moviecity Pack, Fox
international channels (FIC), USA; Foxtelecolombia,
Colombia.
Locations: Bogot.
Cast: Christopher Von Uckerman, Damin Alcazar,
Diana Garca.
Gentlemen prefer them dumb (2009/2010)
(Latin America)
Production Company: Sony Pictures International
television, Laberinto Cine y Televisin, Colombia.
Locations: Bogot
Cast: Valerie Domnguez, Juan Pablo Raba, Michelle
Manterola.
Operation Checkmate (2010)
Production Company: Pentagrama Films, Spain;
Paraso Pictures, Colombia.
Locations: Bogot and Villavicencio, Colombia.
Cast: Marcela Mar, Cristina Campuzano, Roberto
Cano, Julin Arango.
Karabudjan (2010)
Production Company: Antena 3 Television, Spain;
Production services in Colombia: Dynamo.
Locations: Bogot, Barranquilla, Santa Marta,
Colombia.
Cast: Hugo Silva, Marta Nieto, Carolina Gmez.
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: Agustn 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: Choach, 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: Bogot.
Aired: Brazil-Colombia.
Client: Coca-Cola, Gladiator
Year: 2008.
Director: Jos Luis Rugeles
Location: Bogot.
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 youd 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: Bogot, Colombia; Barcelona, Spain.
Cast: Quim Gutirrez, Clara Lago, Martina Garca.
El Pramo a.k.a The Squad
Director: Jaime Osorio
Production Company: Rhayuela Films, Colombia;
Alta Films, Spain; Sudestada flms, Argentina.
Location: Parque de los Nevados, Colombia.
Cast: Juan David Restrepo, Mateo Stevel,
Alejandro Aguilar.
Porfrio
Director: Alejandro Landes
Production Company: Porfrio Films,Colombia;
Control Z, Uruguay; Carmelita, Spain.
Location: Florencia, Caquet, Colombia.
Cast: Porfrio Ramirez, Harrilson Ramirez,
Jazbleidy Sanchez.
The Hook
Director: Sandra Higuita
Production Company: Independencia Realizaciones,
Colombia; Never Land, Spain.
Location: Medelln, Capurgana, Colombia.
Cast:Miller Quintero, Daniel Estrada, Carlos Bardem,
Nacho Vidal.
The Snitch Cartel
Director: Carlos Moreno
Production Company: 11:11 Films, Colombia, Mxico.
Location: Cali, Colombia.
Cast: Manolo Cardona, Juanita Acosta, Diego Cadavid,
Robinson Daz, Julian Arango.
Recent
El Jefe (2011)
Director: Jaime Escalln
Production Company: Babilla Cin, RCN Cine, Lulo
Films, Colombia; Lagarto Cine, Argentina; Lumanity
Productions, Canada.
Location: Bogot.
Cast: Julin Romn , Carlos Hurtado, Katherine Porto,
Mirta Busnelli
Contracorriente (2010)
Director: Javier Fuentes Len
Production Company: Dynamo, Colombia; El
Calvo Films, Peru; Neue Cameo Film, Germany; La
Cinefacture, France.
Location: Peru
Cast: Manolo Cardona, Cristin Mercado, Tatiana
Astengo.
Del amor y otros demonios (2010)
Director: Hilda Hidalgo
Production Company: CMO Producciones, Colombia;
Aliciaflms , Costa Rica.
Location: Cartagena
Cast: Margarita Rosa de Francisco, Pablo Derqui,
Eliza Triana Amaya, Joaqun Climent, Damian Alcazar.
Garca (2010)
Director: Jos Luis Rugeles
Production Company: Rhayuela Films, Colombia;
Latina Estudio Prodigital, Brazil
Location: Bogot and surroundings.
Cast: Margarita Rosa de Francisco, Daniel Pez,
Damin Alcazar, Fabio Ivn Restrepo.
Los Colores de la Montaa (2010)
Director: Carlos Csar Arbelaez
Production Company: El Bus Producciones, RCN
Cine, Ennova, Colombia; Jaguar Films, Panama.
Location: Jardn, Antioquia.
Cast: Hernn Ocampo, Norberto Snchez, Genaro
Aristizbal
Rabia (2010)
Director: Sebastin Cordero
Production Company: Dynamo, Colombia; Telecinco
Cinema and Think Studio, Spain; Tequila Gang,
Mexico.
Location: Spain
Cast: Martina Garca, Gustavo Snchez, Concha
Velasco.
Crab Trap (2009)
Director: Oscar Ruiz
Production Company: Contrava Films, Colombia;
Arizona Films, Belgium.
Location: La Barra, Colombian Pacifc Coast.
Cast: Rodrigo Vlez, Arnobio Salazar, Jaime Andrs
Castao, Yisela lvarez.
El Arriero (2009)
Director: Guillermo Calle
Production Company: RCN Cine, Fundacin
Lumiere, Colombia; Spain.
Location: Bogot, Barranquilla, Colombia; Madrid,
Spain.
Cast: Julin Daz, Maria Cecilia Snchez, Paco
Hidalgo, Paula Castao.
The Blood and the Rain (2009)
Director: Jorge Navas
Production Company: Efe-X Cine, Patofeoflms,
Hangar Films, Colombia; Lagartocine, Argentina.
Location: Bogot.
Cast: Kike Mendoza, Gloria Montoya, Hernn
Mndez.
The Stoplight Society (2009)
Director: Rubn Mendoza
Production Company: Diafragma Fbrica de
Pelculas, Laberinto Producciones, Colombia; El
Baile Films, Spain; Gangstar Films, Germany;
Cinsud Promotion, France.
Location: Bogot.
Cast: Alexis Zuiga, 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 Nuez, Marciano Martnez
Land of Mega-Diversity
All of Colombias 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 planets fora 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 planets 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,
PRAMOS (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 worlds richest countries in
water with fve major hydrographic basins fowing
into the Caribbean Sea and the Pacifc 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 Pacifc Ocean.
Caribbean and Pacifc 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,
fowers, gorgeous emeralds and talented people.
Bogot: The Nations Capital
General Description
Bogot, the nations 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 countrys audiovisual activity flm,
television and advertising spots is concentrated
in Bogot because of the citys 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
Bogot.
Bogot 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 Bogot),
and rural suburbs with large homes and beautiful
gardens.
Bogot 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
citys administrations.
Bogots economic and cultural activity has made
it one of Latin Americas leading international
centers. Over the past 50 years the city has
hosted the Bogot 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 childrens science and art museum), etc.
There are several of the worlds largest and most
spectacular paramos (Andean moors) close to
Bogot, 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
countrys 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 Bogot 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 COLOMBIAS LARGEST REGIONS:
CARIBBEAN, BOGOT REGION, CENTRAL ANDEAN, CAUCA VALLEY
REGION, EASTERN, AND AMAZON. IN ALL THESE REGIONS YOULL
FIND ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE AND SECURITY CONDITIONS FOR
BIG-BUDGET INVESTMENTS AND FOR LODGING AND TRANSPORTING
PERSONNEL PARTICIPATING IN YOUR PROJECTS.
city was once the fnal destination for those traveling
from Cartagena to Bogot by river boat.
Temperate zones close to Bogot also feature
old coffee plantations with cobblestone footpaths
and beautiful homes; vast felds of fruit trees; and
gorgeous recreational estates with magnifcent
gardens surrounded by the exuberant fora and
fauna typical of Colombias 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 Bogots 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, Pacifc, 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 Choc province, unique for their
beauty or history and extremely attractive for flm
projects.
The above regions do not correspond to the
countrys administrative, geographical or political
divisions; they were defned 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 offces
in Bogot to obtain detailed information relevant
to their specifc projects and take advantage of the
Commissions consulting and accompaniment services
when scouting for locations and contracting all
necessary services. If you want detailed information
visit the service directory and locations 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 Andrs and Providence archipelago.
This region has four main cities: Cartagena de Indias,
Barranquilla, Santa Marta and San Andrs, 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 Andrs and Providence
archipelago off the coast of Central America and just
a 2-hour fight from Bogot, 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 worlds 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, fsh and vegetation. Inside the Grand
Cienaga lies the picturesque fshing 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 Andrs 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 flmed 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 Spains 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 fve 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.
San Andrs
Is the capital of the San Andrs and Providence
archipelago in the Caribbean Sea off the coast
of Central America. San Andrs is a national and
international tourist port and its tiny capital lies
on one of the islands 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 Andrs, lies on one of
the Caribbeans most extensive and beautiful coral
reefs. Unlike San Andrs, 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 Colombias three coffeegrowing
departments (Caldas, Risaralda and Quindo) and
the southern part of the department of Antioquia,
extending from the Central Andean range to the
foothills of the Western Andean range.
Colombias 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 18-22 C (64-68 F); and
rolling valleys along the great Magdalena and Cauca
Rivers running the length of the country from north
to south.
The Central Regions temperate zone is one of the
countrys most beautiful with exuberant vegetation
and a wealth of fowers, bamboo groves, towering
trees such as the ceiba and pisingo, and coffee
plantations throughout, where the worlds 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 fowers 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 diversifed 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, pramos (Andean moors)
and gorgeous landscape in cool, temperate
and hot climates. Colombias Andean region is
anything but fat!.
Major cities in the region include Medelln,
Manizales, Pereira, Armenia and Ibagu.
Two regional television channels, Telecaf and
Teleantioquia, serve this region. The University
Television Production Center in Medelln and Canal
U. Medelln operate in Medelln, and Manizales
offers training programs in flm, television
and communications. Small production and
postproduction houses operate in Medelln and
trained personnel with experience in recent large
productions are available.
Principal Cities
Medelln
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 citys 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 countrys 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
Bogot to the Pacific coast and close to Medelln
and Cali, two of the countrys 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 paraso and El cartel de los sapos were
filmed in and around Pereira.
Armenia
Is located on the slopes of the Central Andean
Range. Its 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
Colombias national tree.
Average temperature: 21 C (70 F).
Cauca Valley Region
General Description
The Cauca Valley is one of the countrys most
beautiful, extensive and fertile regions. This region
cuts across the Cauca Valley from the southwest to
the northeast. The regions exuberant vegetation,
enormous old trees (ceibas, caobos, chiminangos,
etc.), bushes and fowers 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
flmmakingcommunity out of which many talented
fction, documentary and television directors
have emerged as well as successful theater and
audiovisual producers. The Universidad del Valle
has an excellent flm department.
Calis regional channel, Telepacfco, covers
the Valle del Cauca, Nario, Cauca and Choc
departments. A university channel also operates out
of the Universidad del Valle. Cali enjoys good flm,
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.
Its 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-
Boyac savannah at 2,600 meters (8,530 feet)
above sea level, starting from the capital Bogot
and over most of the Boyac department.
The Cundinamarca-Boyac 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, fower 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.
Its 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 fowers
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 Girn, a colonial
town whose traditional one-story, tobacco and
white-colored houses and cobblestone streets
remain intact. Its 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 17
th
-
century church and enormous 14,000-square
This region has numerous pramos (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 countrys major rivers. Pramos in the
region include the Sumapaz Pramo (the worlds
largest), and the Pisba, Chingaza and Choach
pramos.
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 fora 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 18
th
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 fight from Bogot,
the nations capital. It is the regions 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, Cam and Inga tribes. Leticia
is close to the neighboring city of Tabatinga on the
Brazilian border and the Peruvian border as well.
It is diffcult 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 fora 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 fsh such as the
piracuru and piraas in the Amazon River and in the
swamps and marshes and infnite streams that wind
through the jungle vegetation.
The Amazon River as it rolls past Leticia is so vast
that it is often diffcult 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,
Yabar 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 Choc province are
of African descent and cohabit with numerous
indigenous communities in the region such as the
Cata and Embera peoples.
Choc is a mega-diverse region rich in native fora
and fauna and is home to one of the worlds 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 countrys interior
to the Caribbean. The citys classic and religious
Sevillian architecture survives this glorious era and
makes Mompox one of Colombias most beautiful
and best-preserved cities.
The charm of the citys churches, parks,
monuments, its cemetery, avenues, tiny streets,
alleys and centennial houses make it seem as if
time in Mompox has stopped. Dino Rossi flmed
Chronicle of a Death Foretold, based on the
novel by Colombian Nobel winner Gabriel Garca
Mrquez, in this city.
Mompox is famous for its gorgeous fligree 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.
Colombias liberator Simon Bolivar stayed in one of
the citys large homes, now a comfortable hotel.
Choc
Colombias only province with both Caribbean and
Pacifc shores. These coastlines are dramatically
different: the bright, transparent waters of the
Caribbean coast, close to Panama, are a national
tourist destination and the Pacifc shores are located
in jungle areas and have strong tides and a long
coastline famous for big game fshing for Marlin,
Swordfsh and Sailfsh. There are hotels along both
coasts but they must be accessed by air.
The capital of Choc, Quibd, lies along the
Atrato River and has approximately 160 thousand
inhabitants. Other towns in the region include Baha
Solano and Nuqu on the Pacifc coast, and Acand
on the Caribbean coast.
The Bay of Utra along the Pacifc coast is a refuge
for the Yubarta whales that swim up from the south
every year to give birth.
The Choc province is an immense, exotically
beautiful rainforest one of the rainiest places in
the world. There are no highways and most of the
regions 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 Nario 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 Nario.
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.
Colombias National Parks
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park
Tatam National Park
Tayrona National Park
Cinaga Grande de Santa Marta Flora and Fauna
Sanctuary
El Mono Hernndez Flora and Fauna Sanctuary
Iguaque Flora and Fauna Sanctuary
Los Colorados Flora and Fauna Sanctuary
Guanent Alto and Ro Fonce Flora and Fauna
Sanctuaries
Otn Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuaries
Isla de Salamanca Parkway
CARTAGENA
MEDELLN
BOGOT
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 COMMISSIONS 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 Orqudeas National Park
Los Nevados National Park
Macuira National Park
Nevado del Huila National Park
Old Providence National Park
Pisba National Park
Ro Pur National Park
Selva de Florencia National Park
Serrana 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 Visas
For foreign nationals considered technical or
artistic crew, actors or actresses participating in
the making of flms 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 Cultures Film Offce 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
Cultures Film OffceDireccin de Cinematografa del
Ministerio de Cultura (for flms) or to the Ministry
of Cultures Communications Offce Direccin 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 flming, listing their identifcation documents, the
arrival and departure date, and the functions they
will fulfll during flming of the work.
Information regarding Colombian artistic and
technical personnel scheduled to intervene in
flming, when applicable.
Estimate of fnancial resources to be invested in
flming on Colombian territory.
Places and dates foreseen for shooting.
With this information fulflled, 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
fle number in order to set an appointment at the
Colombian consulate.
Temporary Visitors
Foreign 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 flm offce
resolution allowing for flming 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 INFORMATION FOR PRODUCERS
The following are the most common visas required of
foreigners wishing to visit Colombia for reasons other
than tourism:
Business
Business professionals, industrialists, executives and
sales professionals wishing to enter the country to do
business or perform market studies.
Work
Persons contracted by local companies to perform
specialized activities, technicians, journalists, members
of artistic groups, legal representatives, and others.
Resident Investor
Foreign 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 Colombia
Andorra, 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 Registry
Those 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 Cdula de Extranjera (foreigners 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 Permits
To flm, tape or take photographs in nationally
protected areas, a request must be flled with the head
offce 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 projects chosen location. The following are some
examples of permits required:
National Film Offce
Resolution Allowing for
Filming on National Territory
To request authorization to flm foreign works on
national territory the petitioner must present the
following documents to the Ministry of Cultures Film
Offce (in Spanish):
Written request addressed to the Ministry of
Cultures Film Offce (Direccin de Cinematografa
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 flming, listing their identifcation
documents and the functions they will fulfll during
flming of the work.
Information regarding Colombian artistic and
technical personnel scheduled to intervene in
flming, when applicable.
Estimate of fnancial resources to be invested in
flming on Colombian territory.
Places and dates foreseen for shooting.
The authorization to flm 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 ffteen
(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 Permits
These must be obtained from authorities in the city or
municipality where taping or flming takes place. Some
of these cities have their own regulations that must be
respected. We recommend producers and directors
contact the Film Commission in Bogot to fnd out
about these regulations.
INTERNATIONAL AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCTIONS REQUIRE
AUTHORIZATION FROM THE MINISTRY OF CULTURES FILM OFFICE
BEFORE FILMING IN COLOMBIA.
Permit to Import
Animals, Vegetables or
Agricultural Products
Any 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 Importacin in
Spanish) from the Colombian Agricultural Institute
(Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario). Certain products
are exempt from this requirement. Consult the
Colombian Agricultural Institutes import/export guide
for animals, vegetables and agricultural products.
www.ica.gov.co/Importacion-y-Exportacion.aspx
Hiring Personnel Customs
IN COLOMBIA, MERCHANDISE COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY IS
SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS OBLIGATIONS UPON ENTRY. OBLIGATIONS INCLUDE
PRESENTATION OF AN IMPORT DECLARATION, PAYMENT OF CUSTOMS TARIFFS
AND ANY APPLICABLE SANCTIONS AS WELL AS THE OBLIGATION TO OBTAIN AND
PRESERVE DOCUMENTATION SUPPORTING THE TRANSACTION AND PRESENTATION
OF THESE DOCUMENTS SHOULD CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES SO REQUIRE.
Colombian legislation recognizes several forms of
import transactions resulting in free exploitation of
the merchandise in question.
To facilitate flm and audiovisual work in Colombia,
legislation has established the following preferential
treatment in customs houses:
With authorization to make a foreign flm from
the Ministry of Culture (see page 82), necessary
flm equipment and materials may be imported for
periods of 6 months, renewable for an additional 6
moths.
Consumable goods such as flm, 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, flms 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 flms.
All professional materials and equipment for
flm production and blank flm or flm printed with
image and sound are qualifed as special delivery
by customs. Although other special delivery cases
are subject to a guarantee, this is not true for flm
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 Offce (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 Contract
These 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 fx the domicile for legal
purposes: Colombia or the producers 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 defne the rights each of
these authors grants to the producer of the flm 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 defnitive 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 flmed, with actors and
phonographic producers or composers of music to be
synched to the flm, 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 benefts, 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 fled
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 certifed
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 Contracts
Generally 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
productions unique characteristics.
Aggregate Value Tax (IVA)
Sales tax is paid on the sale of fxed assets in the form
of real estate, imported fxed 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 flm
productions and flm-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 Rebate
International 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 producers
subordinate, and the producer is responsible for all
labor obligations.
Labor Contracts
These contracts cover all forms of labor governed
by Colombias Substantive Labor Code. This model
is not often used for flm productions requiring work
for limited periods compared with other felds.
Policies offer general coverage for the following:
Actors and artistic and technical personnel
guaranteeing payment of insured amounts due to
interruption of flming, 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 flming.
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 flming.
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 Tax
Generally 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 flm 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. travelers 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 Incentives
Colombian co-producers working in association with
foreign producers shall be eligible for incentives
included in Colombian flm legislation.
Current legislation requires Colombian participation
in co-productions of at least 20% of the total cost of
the flm, 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 flm, 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 flm, Editor,
Starring role, Supporting actor.
To access incentives, the project must be certifed or
recognized as a national co-production by the Ministry
of Cultures Film Offce.
Percentage of Colombian artists in a national
co-production.
1. The director of the flm 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 flm
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 Donors
The Film Law (Law 814 of 2003) defnes the tax
benefts for investment in or donations to Colombian
flm projects.
The beneft 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 flm 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 Fund
The Film Development Fund provides monetary
incentives to competition winners and supports
flm-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 Funds resources come from a contribution
paid by exhibitors and distributors of foreign flms in
theaters throughout the country, and by Colombian
flm producers. The Fund is administered by
Proimgenes Colombia and decisions regarding
apportioning and selection methods are made by the
CNACC (National Council on Cinematographic Arts and
Culture).
Ibermedia Program
Colombia 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
fnancial 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 fnancial 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 fnancing 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 notifes
the Ministry so that a Certifcate of Film Investment or
Certifcate of Donation is issued.
With investments, which may participate in utilities
if the investor and producer agree, the Certifcate
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 fscal year as the investment.
Please note that multiple foreign investments in
Colombia are eligible for this tax beneft, 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 Colombias
Ministry of Culture, the Vice Presidents Offce and
Proimgenes 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 flm, television and advertising to Colombia
and is certain they will fnd fertile ground for their
favorite dreams in this country. Welcome to Colombia!
Its not what youve heard, its what you see!
Staff
Claudia Triana
Director of Proimgenes 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 (Fundacin Patrimonio Flmico
Colombiano), serving as the Foundations director for
9 years.
Director since 1998 of the Mixed Fund for Film
Promotion (Proimgenes Colombia), the organization
that administers the Film Development Funds
resources. Proimgenes Colombia promotes the
country internationally through the Colombian Film
Commission as a desirable location for audiovisual
productions (flm, television and commercials).
claudiatriana@proimagenescolombia.com
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
Proimgenes Colombia, and was the organizations
assistant director, actively participating in the
diagnosis, design and conception of the Film Law.
silvia@locationcolombia.com
Tel: [57+1] 287 0103
Lina Mara Snchez
Promotional Activities Manager
Studied Film and Television at the Universidad
Nacional de Colombia.
Executive and feld producer of several short flms
awarded funds from the Colombian Film Development
Fund (FDC in Spanish) and feld producer for
educational and cultural television programs produced
by the Communications Unit of the Universidad
Nacional de Colombia (UNIMEDIOS).
lina@locationcolombia.com
Tel: [57+1] 287 0103
Sandra Garzn
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, fnancing, 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
effcient manner of carrying out their projects in
Colombia.
Contact
Information
info@locationcolombia.com
Phone: [57+1] 2870103
Mobile Phone: [57] 320 345 6635 - 310 320 2878
Address: Calle 35 No. 4-89 (Barrio La Merced)
Bogot,D.C. - Colombia
COLOMBIAN FILM COMMISSION
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.superfnanciera.gov.co, www.asobancaria.com
Insurance
www.fasecolda.com; www.superfnanciera.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
Ministry of Cultures Film Offce
Responsible for the countrys flm culture and
dedicated to improving the quality of audiovisual
language to ensure the industrys viability and
longevity. The Film Offce develops different programs
covering research, legislation, training, production,
infrastructure, promotion, distribution, exhibition and
preservation of the flm industry.
www.mincultura.gov.co
Proimgenes 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 flm 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:
National Offce of Taxes and Customs - DIAN
Guarantees the nations fscal 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
countrys 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
Colombia Awaits You!
The guidebook youve just read is
merely a prologue meant to give you
a birds-eye view of what awaits you
in Colombia. We hope youll 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 isnt what
youve heard; its what you see for
yourself... and much more! Come take
a look!
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Discover a whole new world in production
Bringing your ideas to life
Creating the optimum production experience
See why market leaders choose Colombo Films
Performance is the Dierence
Film Television Commercials
Virginia Cooney
vcooney@colombolms.tv
www.colombolms.tv
C
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VC_CF_feb102011.pdf 11-02-10 14.38.09
Calle 80 # 8 - 44 Bogot D.C. Colombia
Tel.: (57-1) 345 3421 International line and fax: (1-212) 202 2156
info@dynamocapital.net
www.dynamoproducciones.net
C
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Aviso Revista Dynamo F.pdf 1 31/03/11 17:14

Colombia A World of Discoveries

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