Why Now Is the Time for Commercial Producers to Shoot in Uruguay

Producers of feature films always sought rebates from location countries when choosing a city for their next film. Unfortunately, this advantage was never available for commercials producers. Until now.

Uruguay is testing a modern approach to rebates and has extended the benefits to commercials producers as well.  

During the pandemic Uruguay was one of the few countries that kept shooting thanks to their sparse local population and open spaces. With stringent testing controls and one of the highest percentages worldwide of double and booster vaccinated, it continues to be the preferred location for foreign shoots.

Metropolis Films was one of the production companies that lobbied hard for the rebates benefits to be extended to commercials. 

"Rebates is a great mechanism to promote shooting in Uruguay. A producer can look forward to getting some cash rewards for their choice of coming here," says Enrique Gruber, Metropolis Films' line producer. "It a great gesture by the government to welcome commercials producers."

"Up to 20% of the budget can be reclaimed by commercials production companies, up to a maximum of US$100,000.  For content production, there is a US$1,000,000 maximum rebate.  There are minimum budgets that have to be spent in the country.  It's always worth the effort coming to Uruguay. Rebates adds to that," concludes Gruber.

​In the past year alone, Netflix and Amazon have chosen Uruguay to producer their original series.  Production companies from all over Latin America have flocked to produce their commercials in Uruguay.  The pandemic have kept some Europeans away.  This may change as winter starts biting hard.