Doing Business Internationally
 International Treaty Co-Productions |
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| Samantha Traub | |
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Canada is a party to approximately 50 film and/or television co-production treaties that are in effect in 53 countries, excluding the United States. (No co-production treaty currently exists between Canada and the United States, and no such treaty is anticipated in the near future.) The most frequent co-production activity has traditionally been (and continues to be) with the United Kingdom and France. The treaties are administered, on behalf of the Canadian government, by Telefilm Canada, through its Co-Productions Department. The Telefilm website provides detailed information, including a co-production guide, and the necessary forms. BenefitsQualifying co-production films are entitled to full enjoyment of all government incentives and benefits that are accorded to domestic films in Canada, and are considered to be “national products” in participating countries. These incentives and benefits include:
Limiting conditionsWhile the co-production treaties provide a variety of benefits, they do impose a series of conditions upon the co-producers that sometimes limit their flexibility. For example, each co-production treaty sets minimum standards for financial participation, creative participation and the extent to which third party countries can be involved in the production.The treaties are also quite specific in outlining the creative and technical contributions that must be made by citizens or nationals of the country of the minority co-producer. |
