Production Guide 2014

how!
i n Co lom bi a
Pro d uct io n guide
20 14
president’s office of the
republic of colombia
Juan Manuel Santos Calderón
President of the Republic of Colombia
María Lorena Gutiérrez Moreno
General Secretary
Cristina Plazas Michelsen
Private Secretary
ministry of commerce,
industry and tourism
proimágenes colombia
Claudia Triana de Vargas
Director
Yolanda Aponte Melo
Administrative and Finance Director
Andrés Bayona Gómez
Projects Director
Andrea Afanador Llach
FDC Programs Director
Santiago Rojas Arroyo
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
proimágenes colombiafilm commission
Sandra Howard Taylor
Vice Minister of Tourism
Silvia Echeverri Botero
Film Commissioner
Ana María Monica Vargas
Vice Minister of Tourism Professional
Lina María Sánchez Castro
Assistant Manager
ministry of culture
Javier Ruiz
Administrative Coordinator
Mariana Garcés Córdoba
Minister of Culture
Lucía González García
Projects Coordinator
María Claudia López Sorzano
Vice Minister of Culture
Carlos Alberto Ramos Becerra
Information Coordinator
Enzo Rafael Ariza Ayala
General Secretary
Adelfa Martínez Bonilla
Film Office Director
Adriana González Haessig
Film Office Advisor
proexport colombia
María Claudia Lacouture Pinedo
President
Ricardo Vallejo Moreno
Exports Vice President
Juan Esteban Medina Londoño
Services Macro-Sector Management
colombia film promotion
committee - cpfc
Mariana Garcés Córdoba
Minister of Culture
Sandra Howard Taylor
Deputy of Ministry of Commerce, Indusrty and Tourism
Ricardo Vallejo Moreno
Exports Vice President of Proexport Colombia
Mauricio Reina Echeverri
Delegate of the President of the Republic of Colombia
Jaime Abello Banfi
Delegate of the President of the Republic of Colombia
Paula Jaramillo del Corral
Producers Representative - CNACC
Adelfa Martínez Bonilla
Film Office Director
Lina María Sánchez Castro
Investigation and Editorial Coordination
Alberto Quiroga
Texts
Gonzalo Castellanos Valenzuela
Juan Carlos Tavera Castillo
Legal and Technical Texts
Sally Station
Translation
Lip Ltda.
Concept and Design
Impresol Ediciones
Printing
Lucía Gonzalez
Copy Editor
Printed in Colombia
2014
Content
hel lo!
how ?
Something good is happening in our country ..... 5
Visas..........................................................................41
Permits Authorizations .................................... ....41
Customs .................................................................. 42
Hiring Personnel ....................................................42
Taxes ........................................................................43
Insurance ................................................................ 43
Entering the Country with Foreign Currency ...44
wow !
Law 1556 – Cash Rebate 40% - 20% ........................ 7
Aggregate Value Tax (IVA) Rebate ....................... 7
w hy?
Colombia’s Audiovisual Sector .............................. 9
Infrastructure for Audiovisual Production ......... 9
here!
Testimonials ........................................................... 12
Coming soon ........................................................... 13
Recent ...................................................................... 13
help!
hello!
Film Commission Services ................................... 46
Staff ......................................................................... 46
Contact.................................................................... 46
Photographs ........................................................... 46
w ho?
48
w here?
General Information ............................................. 18
Colombia´s General Infrastructure ..................... 21
Bogotá: The Nation’s Capital ............................... 21
Caribbean Region ................................................. 23
Central Andean Region ........................................ 24
Southern Andean Region...................................... 27
Eastern Region ........................................................ 28
Amazon Region ..................................................... 28
Special Locations ................................................... 31
Colombia’s National Parks ................................... 35
Land of Mega-Diversity ........................................ 36
Behind the scenes, “Left to die”
Action / In Colombia
Last November’s headline in the Hollywood Reporter read, “Colombia Takes the Lead in Latin Incentives Surge.” And rightly so. Tough
Law 1556 of 2012 has only been in effect for a year, today the benefits
of the new incentive are increasingly well-known internationally,
making the promise of the law a reality.
It’s no wonder that Mike Medavoy, a highly accomplished producer of major films such as Black Swan, has partially shot his film in
our country. The movie “The 33” had been searching for a location
that fit the story’s needs for a long time. They found the answer in
Colombia: a natural and original location, perfectly suited as a set
for the mine, and a film incentive that was not just attractive, but
compelling, in terms of production costs.
The projects applying to the Colombia Film Fund demonstrate
that not only Hollywood movies, but also major productions from
Europe and neighboring Latin American countries, have realized the
advantages of the reimbursement. They don’t want to miss out.
Interest in Colombia from high-profile international productions
has been steadily growing, showing that the incentive has been well
received. This is also thanks to the changing image of the country:
the film sector is talking about our competitiveness in production,
as well as our wealth of varied locations, attesting to the consolidation of confidence in Colombia. The undeniable increase in tourist
activity throughout the country also confirms this.
The warm welcome and expectations inspired by the incentive make
our country more committed than ever to the spirit of Law 1556: to
position our country as a top shooting destination for international
productions, significantly contributing to the development of the
Colombian film industry.
Law 1556 strives to benefit not only providers of production,
post-production and logistics services, but also our artists and creative personnel. Because while our technical and artistic personnel
benefit from the knowledge transfer resulting from their work with
large international productions, today we can say that our producers, through their experiences, are increasingly prepared to actively
participate in global markets as production services providers.
Finally, we can’t forget that the best way to promote Colombia is
interaction between foreign producers and technical and artistic
personnel, and our country’s people, places, customs and traditions.
It was certainly an honor to have renowned actors such as Antonio
Banderas and Lou Diamond Phillips with us. But they also had the
privilege of working in our territory, with its wonderful scenery and
our warm people, alongside major Colombian actors like Gustavo
Angarita and Juan Pablo Raba.
With everyone talking about the incentive and all eyes on Colombia,
we have a formula for success: for our locations to play a leading role
on the big screen; for our talented artists to find more and more
arenas to fully exhibit their creativity; and behind the scenes, for
Colombian personnel, eager for experiences and knowledge, to be
active in the labor market. This is what drives all of our efforts to
promote this growing industry.
wow!
Today, we invite you to be part of this historic moment for our film
industry. We invite you to discover our country from its diverse sets
and in the company of our women and our men. We invite you to a
blockbuster country.
Behind the scenes, “Roa”
Law 1556
Cash rebate
40% - 20%
Colombia offers a cash rebate or cash reimbursement for films partially
or totally produced in Colombia (long feature films, TV movies with a
broadcast of up to 2 episodes, documentaries and animation). 40% for “film
services” (services related to audio-visual pre-production, production or
post-production including artistic and technical services) and 20% for “film
logistics services” (those that are provided for hotel, catering, and transportation) of the amount spent in the country.
The cash rebate applies to services provided by Colombian entities or
persons that are domiciled or residing in the country. It will be paid with
resources of the Colombia Film Fund (FFC for its Spanish acronym), a
financing instrument or account created in 2012 with funds from the General
National Budget.
B as i c re q u i re ments
• The project in question shall entail expenditures in film services or film
logistics services of approximately USD 600,000.
• The project shall be submitted by its producer, a legal person; that is to say,
a company or entity with legal authority to operate.
• The project will be evaluated by the Colombia Film Promotion Committee
(CPFC for its Spanish acronym) according to the purpose of Law 1556: To develop Colombia’s film industry, as well as promote tourism and the country’s
image.
• The project shall entail total or partial filming in Colombia. As for animated
work, this item refers to carrying out production work in the country.
• The producer shall sign a contract stipulating the obligations, conditions,
and requirements for the reimbursement to be given and the amount thereof.
• Film services for non-national projects shall be contracted through one or
several Colombian film services companies (previously registered at the Film
Office of the Ministry of Culture).
• The funds for use in services shall be administered by a trust established in
Colombia, through an administration trust or standalone trust.
• Lastly, in order for the reimbursement to be disbursed, there must be approval by an auditing company established in Colombia, which shall also be
engaged by the producer. The expert opinion, certificate or report issued by
the auditing company shall be sent directly to the administering entity.
tract that is signed if its project is accepted and complies with the requirements mentioned above.
Pro ject app ro val
Submitted projects that meet the above requirements shall be evaluated by
CPFC to determine whether they comply with the purposes of Law No. 1556.
Considering the fact that Colombia Film Fund -FFC has limited resources
(around USD $12 Million for 2014), at the moment of the respective meeting, a decision is reached as to which of the total submissions shall receive
reimbursement and in what amount.
Value Added
Tax (IVA)
Rebate
why?
International audiovisual productions may obtain IVA tax reimbursement
for services purchased in 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 be eligible for this exemption, a contract must be stated between the
service exporter and the contractor and the corresponding record must be
kept by the exporter as proof of the transaction.
This contract must contain the following certified information:
• The contracted service must be used entirely and exclusively outside
Colombia.
• The amount of the contract or amount to be reinstated. (In Colombian
pesos – COP and foreign currency).
• 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.
www.locationcolombia.com/Incentives
E asy a p p l i c a ti on
• Request to the Colombia Film Promotion Committee - CFPC through the
submission of the project to Proimágenes Colombia (Administering entity).
• Proof of the existence and legal representation of the production company.
• Description of the project, total budget and financing information.
• Detailed budget of the project showing expenditures that will be paid in
Colombia for film services and film logistics services.
• Deposit of Guarantee: An allocation, as insurance, in the amount of around
USD $13,000, which shall be returned to the producer at the end of the conBehind the scenes, “Cazando luciérnagas”
Colombia’s
Audiovisual
Sector
Tele v i s i o n
Audiovisual production in Colombia is booming. The Colombian television
industry successfully exports shows –especially soap operas– to over eighty
countries around the world including “Betty la Fea” (“Ugly Betty”), one of the
biggest hits on international channels, to a number of continents and is now a
constant source of programming for the Latin US market.
Several international companies, including Fox International and NBC-Telemundo, are currently producing projects in Colombia. Both have their own
sound stages in Bogotá where they produce internationally-broadcast series.
Ad v e r t i s i n g
The country´s 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.
The world´s 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 - some of them specializing in production for international brands and agencies.
Fi lm
In 2013, the Colombian film industry achieved interesting figures in audience
attendance, premieres of Colombian films and opening of new cinemas. 17 of
244 films screened in cinemas were Colombian productions. The attendance
of Colombian films has doubled since 2007: the number of admissions rose
over 43.28 million, an increase of 5.95%, and the box office increased for 7.9%
(compared to 2012). Colombia has also witnessed a growth in number of cinemas. In 2013, the total number of screens rose to 790, an increase of 86 screens
compared to 2012.
Colombia has had great international visibility in the recent years. In 2013 two
documentaries directed by women exploded on the world cinema scene. Also,
fiction features lit up the screen, with stories ranging from the very personal
“Cazando luciérnagas”, winner of Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress
and Best Cinematography in the Foreign Feature category of Brazil’s Gramado
Film Festival, to more social dramas like “Roa”, based on the true story of Juan
Roa Sierra, found guilty of assassinating Liberal leader Jorge Eliécer Gaitán in
an event that deeply affected the history of Colombia, to horror thriller genre
film “Gallows Hill”, a Colombo-US co-production premiered at Sitges Film
Festival.
Upcoming releases reflect the wide variety of themes of films currently being
produced in our country: “Ciudad Delirio”, a Colombo-Spanish co-production featuring a love story told in a salsa setting, “Out of the Dark,” a
Colombo-Spanish-US horror thriller co-production starring Julia Stiles, Scott
Speedman and Stephen Rea, and “Buenaventura, Mon Amour”, a cross-media
feature film voted Best Multi-Platform Project at the 2012 RíoContentMarket
Lab, just to mention a few.
The promotion of Colombia as a film location is already showing results. In
2013, the film “The 33” was partially shot in Colombian locations, in the Nemocon mines in the surroundings of Bogotá. ”The 33” is based on the gripping
real-life survival story surrounding the collapse of the Copiapó copper mine in
Chile and the subsequent emotional retrieval and triumphant rescue of all 33
miners after 69 days trapped 800 meters below the surface of the earth. This
film is the first project to benefit from Colombia’s cash rebate incentive.
Infrastructure for
Audiovisual
Production
Cre ws
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 and co-productions. Colombian film crews are known for their
enormous commitment, hard work and resourcefulness. There are no audiovisual unions at this time, or fixed rates for services or labor. There are a number
of Colombian associations working to ensure the wellbeing and development
of the audiovisual industry.
Talen t
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 Sofía Vergara, known for her work in the television series “Modern
Family” and “Men in Trees”, Catalina Sandino, who starred in “Twilight Saga:
Eclipse”, “Che” and “Love in the Time of Cholera”; Paola Turbay, whose credits
include “Royal Pains”, “Cane” and “Love in the Time of Cholera”; Martina
García known for “Homeland” “Biutiful”, and “Operation E”, and Manolo
Cardona, who recently played a role on “Covert Affairs”. 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 “Ugly Betty” and “Café”, 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 films.
S p e c i a l Effe c t s
Multi-channel digital equipment, boom microphones, lavalier, plant, on-set
monitoring and digital delivery.
Eq u i p m e n t Re nt al
Most sound stages are located in the city of Bogotá. 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.
Several equipment rental houses provide high-end technology gear in Colombia. Qualified technicians are trained continuously in operation and support of
newly acquired equipment. Many technicians speak fluent English.
• Digital camera: Alexa Studio, Plus 4:3, M, Plus and EV, Phantom Flex and
Gold, Sony F-65, F-3, F-23, F-900, F-950, F-700, EX-3, Canon 500, 300, 5D, 7D
PL/EF.
• Data Recorders: Codex, Gemini RAW, Cinedeck, AJA Ki Pro & Mini.
• DIT carts: On-set color correction, effects and compositing, syncing, download,
trans-coding, backup and same day dailies on Ipads. Metadata feeding options
into original material. Reference monitors, LTO, CalDigit, Mac Pro, PC, etc.
• Film camera: Arricam Lite, 435 X-Treme & ES 3 & 4 Perf, 416 & SRIII, Moviecam Compact, Aaton.
• Optics: Complete factory sets of Hawk V-Lite, Cooke 5/i, S4/i, Master, Ultra
& Digi primes, Macros, Swing & Shift, Innovision, Optimo & Alura zooms, etc.
• Lighting: Full line of Arri, Kinoflo, Dedolight, K-5600, SoftSun, Lightning
Strikes, Litepanel, accessories, silent generators & power distribution.
• Camera Grip: Milo and Modula motion control, stabilized and standard
3 axis wireless and wired remote heads, Technocranes, Fisher, Panther and
Egripment dollies & jibs, Tyler helicopter mounts, camera-cars and tow dollies,
ATVs, motorcycles, bicycles.
• Transportation, 3-5-10-ton grip-trucks; camera trucks and vans; 4-wheel
vehicles; motor homes and trailers.
www.locationcolombia.com/Audiovisualinfrastructure
Post- Produ c t i on
Adm i n i st ra t ive Se r vice s
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 fire and rain. They also have experience in
designing unconventional effects to meet specific production needs.
Arms collectors with accredited experience in television, films and advertising
spots can provide audiovisual productions with technical, theoretical and
practical knowledge in the handling and use of arms.
Stunts
There are several stunt companies in Colombia. They have experience in the
field of stunt work and have developed 100% of the action scenes filmed for
the national industry in recent years while adhering to international safety
protocol.
S ou n d S t a g e s
Digital post-production studios have been operating in Colombia for many
years.
In 2012, a multinational laboratory with headquarters in Chile, Mexico, Brazil
and Argentina started opened its doors in Bogotá.
• Digital/VFX Composing: Software: Flame, Flint, Smoke, After Effects,
Mocha, Nule.
• 3D Animation: Stereoscopic post-production.
• Final Cut: Units equipped with 4:4:4 technology used in HD SR format.
• Screening room and 4K color 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 DataCine with 2K Da Vinci color corrector in SD, HD and SR
formats. 16mm and 35mm, film 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 technology 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,
voice casting and sound design for film, 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 film or HD shoot.
National and multinational companies in Colombia can be consulted for all
tax, legal and exchange questions. They also provide film insurance for all
audiovisual productions inside Colombia.
Information regarding companies and crew is available in the Colombian Film
Commission’s service directory: www.locationcolombia.com/Directory
Testimonials
here!
Behind the scenes, “Out of the dark”
“We were working 6 day weeks, so it was a little
hard, but it was amazing. I wanted to go and see
Cartagena and Santa Marta and so many other parts,
but I didn’t have the time, I really want to go back to
the Cartagena Film Festival. It was like a dream, it
was great to be able to practice my Spanish.”
locations. The help and access given to us by so many
organizations - the Kogi communities of the Sierra
Nevada de Santa Marta, the Museo del Oro, the Colombian Army and the many universities, academics
and individuals along the way helped to make this a
highly successful programme”.
Julia Stiles, Actress of Out of the Dark.
Martin Kemp, Director of BBC’s series the Lost Kingdoms of South America.
“If you want to find bad people in Colombia, you
can surely find them, as you could in New York or
Los Angeles. But nowhere have my crew and I been
treated better or with more kindness and generosity.
I’d bring my family on vacation there in a heartbeat.
And hope to soon. As I said before: Colombians are
proud. Let them show you what they are proud of.”
“This is such a beautiful country! I was amazed by
the landscape and the marvelous locations. I had a
really great time and am very pleasantly surprised.
This is my fisrt trip to Latin America and Colombia
is the first country I’ve visited. I’m meeting people,
scouting locations and looking at film industry facil-
Anthony Bourdain, during the shooting of an episode of CNN international
Kulmeet Makkar, Executive Director of the Film & Television Guild of India.
“It was really exciting, it was Holy Week when we
filmed down there, so the kids were coming out and
watching and after the first take they would applaud. We were like: you can’t applaud because we’re
filming. And so then, the teenagers were like, OK,
we’ll be in charge of saying nobody can applaud. It
was like just this incredible community”.
“First I want to congratulate you all and Mr. President Santos for the initiative they have had to bring
films to Colombia, an amazing and diverse place.
It is the opportunity to make films, which not only
enriches the film industry, but all that it happens
around it, and one way or another it will positively
change the image of the country”
Piper Perabo, about her experience of shooting Covert Affairs in Medellin.
Antonio Banderas, star of The 33, during his visit to the presidential palace
“Filming our one hour documentary in Colombia was
an absolute pleasure. Despite an incredibly tight and
demanding schedule Screen Colombia (the Colombian
production service company) ensured that everything
went to plan and pulled out all the steps to introduce us to some incredible people and some fantastic
ities”.
Over the years, many international cinema, television and advertising productions have been filmed in Colombia.
A few of them are listed here to give you an idea of the variety of productions
made in this country:
Coming
Soon
Soon, some productions will premiere. If you would like more information
about them, please visit:
www.locationcolombia.com/Internationalproductions
In ter na ti o na l
Th e 33
Director:Patricia Riggen.
Production Company: Phoenix Pictures.
Production service company: Dynamo
Locations: Nemocón and Zipaquirá, Colombia.
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Juliette Binoche, Martin Sheen, James Brolin,
Jacob Vargas, Juan Pablo Raba, Oscar Nuñez, Marco Treviño.
Co - produ c t io n s
A l i a s Ma r i a
Director: Jose Luis Rugeles; Production Company: Rhayuela Cine, Colombia; Axxon Films, Francia; Sudestada Cine, Argentina.
C i ud a d De l i r i o
Director: Chus Gutiérrez; Production Company: 64-A Films, Colombia;
Film Fatal, Spain; Cast: Carolina Ramírez, Julián Villagrán, Jorge Herrera,
Vicky Hernández,
C l i ma s
Director: Enrica Pérez; Production Company: Burning Blue, Colombia;
Sexto Sentido, Peru. Cast: Claudia Ruiz del Castillo, Fiorella de Ferrari,
María Unoc.
Gal l o w s Hi l l
Director: Victor García; Production Company: Launchpad Productions,
A Bigger Boat, Bowery Hills Entertainment, USA; Ennova Films, Colombia;
Lina Production: Faldita Films, Colombia; Locations: Bogotá and surroundings; Cast: Peter Facinelli, Sophia Myles, Nathalia Ramos,
Carolina Guerra.
G en te d e B i e n
D a n g e rou s L ov e (2 01 3 )
Production Services in Colombia: Dynamo.
Locations: Bogotá.
Cast: Rachel Leigh Cook, Barbara Hershey, Emily Foxler.
Director: Josef Wladyka; Production Company: El Colectivo, Colombia,
Tenacious and Kubota Films, USA; Locations: Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia; Cast: Cristian James Advincula, Jarlin Javier Martínez. ç
D e shora (2 01 3 )
O p e ra t i on E ( 20 1 2)
Director: María Gamboa; Production Company: Dia Fragma Fábrica de
Películas, Colombia; Ciné Sud Promotion, France; Location: Barrancabermeja, Santander, Colombia; Cast: Carlos Humberto Hernández, Felipe Botero,
Samuel Lascano, Myriam Gutiérrez.
Fa r a w a y f rom t he Worl d (2 01 3 )
Contravía Films, Colombia; Arizona Films, France; Mantarraya Producciones,
Mexico. Cast: Calvín Buenaventura, Jovan Alexis Marquinez, Atala Navia,
Gustavo Ruis.
Man os Su ci as
Mateo
Ou t o f the Dark
Director: Lluís Quílez; Production Company: Apaches entertainment and
Cactus Flower Producciones, Spain; Dynamo, Colombia; Imagenation Abu
Dhabi FZ, United Arab Emirates; Participant Media and XYZ Films, USA;
Locations: Bogotá, Honda; Colombia; Cast: Julia Stiles, Scott Speedman,
Stephen Rea, Pixie Davies, Alejandro Furth.
Sargean t Matacho
Director: William González.; Production Company: ENIC Producciones,
Hangar Films, Colombia; Alpha Acosta, Mexico; Location: Cauca Valley
region, Colombia; Cast: Marlón Moreno, Francisco Cucalón, María Rojo,
Alberto Estrella, Ramiro Meneses.
The Dead Men
Director: Bárbara Sarasola-Day; Production Company: Antorcha Films,
Colombia; Pucara Cine, Argentina; Faction Film, Norway; Cast:
Luis Ziembrowsky, María Ucedo, Alejandro Buitrago.
Director: Gerardo Herrero; Production Company: Ennovva Films, RCN
Cine, Colombia; Tornasol Films and Foresta Films, Spain. Location: Cartagena; Cast: Jorge Enrique Abello, Luis Fernando Hoyos, Carlos Torres,
Ana Bolena Meza.
Roa (2 01 3 )
The O ce a n He ar t
(El Cora zón d e l Oc é ano ) ( 20 1 1 )
Director: Sebastian Cordero; Production Company: Contento Films,
Colombia; Cine Kilotoa, Ecuador; Location: Ecuador; Cast: Andres Crespo,
Maria C. Sanchez.
Director: Andi Baiz; Production Company: Dynamo, RCN films & Ennova, Colombia; Patagonic Film Group, Argentina; Location: Bogota; Cast:
Mauricio Puentes, Catalina Sandino, Santiago Rodríguez.
Roya l B u i l di n g (2 01 3 )
The Ho o k
Se ñ ori t a s (2 01 3 )
The Mu d d y
Director: Felipe Echavarría; Production Company: Proyección Films,
Colombia; CineStation, USA; Cast: Diego Cadavid, Paola Mendoza,
Jeanine Mason, Mark Shardan.
The seal o f co n fessio n
Director: Henry Rivero; Production Company: RCN Cine, Ennovva,
Drive Pictures, Colombia; Factor RH Producciones, Venezuela; Location:
Caracas, Venezuela; Bogotá, Colombia; Cast: Marlon Moreno,
Juan Pablo Raba, Jorge Cao, Carlos Camacho.
Recent
Co - p ro d uc t i o n s
L os Ho n g os
Director: Alfredo Soderguit; Production Company: Antorcha Films,
Colombia; Palermo Animación, Raindofs Cine, Uruguay.
Anin a ( 2013 )
B u r n Not i ce : T h e f al l o f S am A xe ( 20 1 1 )
Fi she rm a n (2 01 3 )
Director: Ivan Wild; Production Company: Ciudad Lunar Producciones,
RCN films & Ennova, Colombia; Ciné Sud Promotion, France; Produrama
Nortesur, Venezuela; Location: Barranquilla, Colombia; Cast: Jorge Perugorría, Katherine Vélez, Laura García, Adel David Vásquez.
Director: Sandra Higuita; Production Company: Independencia
Realizaciones, RCN Cine, Ennova, Colombia; Never Land, Spain; Location:
Medellín, Capurgana, Colombia; Cast: Miller Quintero, Daniel Estrada,
Carlos Bardem, Nacho Vidal.
Director: Miguel Courtois Paternina.
Production Company: Tormenta Films, Zircocine, Spain; Ajoz Films,
France. Production services company: La Ventana Films.
Locations: Villavicencio, Colombia.
Cast: Luís Tosar, Martina García, Lucho Velasco, Sigifredo Vega.
Director: Jeffrey Donovan.
Production Company: Production Services in Colombia: Foxtelecolombia.
Locations: Bogotá and surroundings.
Cast: Kiel Anne Sanchez, Ron Reaco Monta Lee, José Pedro Balmaceda.
Director: Kirk Sullivan; Production Company: Contento Films,
Colombia; Locations: Medellín, Antioquia.; Cast: Diego Boneta, Jackson
Rathbone, Maria Mesa, Edgardo Román, Humbero Dorado.
Director: Franco Lolli; Production Company: Evidencia Films, Colombia; Lazennec 3, France; Cast: Brayan Santamaria, Carlos Fernando Pérez,
Alejandra Borrero.
Director: Oscar Ruiz Navia; Production Company: Burning Blue and
Director: Antonio Dorado Z; Production Company: Fundación Imagen
Latina and Hangar Films, Colombia; Futuro Films, Venezuela. Cast: Marlon
Moreno, Juanita Arias, Kathy Saenz, Jean Paul Leroux, Felipe Cortez.
Director: Lina Rodríguez; Production Company: Rayon Vert, Canada,
Colombia; Cast: María Serrano, Clara Monrroy, Angela Katherine Laverde,
Sebastián Cuevas.
S i n O toñ o, S i n Pri m a v e ra (2 01 3 )
Director: Iván Mora Manzano; Production Company: Antorcha Films,
Colombia; Corporación la República Invisible, Ecuador; Caberu Productions,
France. Cast: Enzo Macchiavello, Ángela Peñaherrera, Paola Baldión, Paulina
Obrist.
The Ete r n a l Ni g ht of Twe l v e Moon s
(2 01 3 )
Director: Priscila Padilla; Production Company: Doce Lunas Producciones, Colombia; Banda Imagen, Bolivia. Cast: Rosa Uriana Family.
Inter nat io nal
A l a Re c he rc he de L’El D ora do
(L ooki n g for El D ora do) (2 01 2 )
Director: Cristophe de Vallambras.
Production Company: Bo Travail, France.
Locations: Cartagena, Tumaco, Pasto, Ipiales, San Agustin, Neiva, Cali,
Pereira, Manizales, Armenia, Medellín, Guatavita, Bogotá, Zipaquirá, San Gil,
Barichara, Cocuy, Santa Marta, Tayrona, Guajira y el Tatacoa Desert.
L e ft to D i e (2 01 2 )
Director: Leon Ichaso
Production Company: Sandbar Pictures, Blazer Company Productions,
Sony Pictures Television, USA;
Director: Pablo Barrera and Guillermo Fernandez Groizard.
Production Company: Globo Media, Antena 3 Films, Spain; Production
services in Colombia: Dynamo.
Locations: Bogotá, Colombia; Cádiz, Spain.
Cast: Hugo Silva, Clara Lago, Alvaro Cervante.
The Ne xt Th re e Day s ( 20 1 0 )
Director: Paul Haggis.
Production Company: Lionsgate, Fidelité Films, HWY61.
Production services company for the portion shot in Colombia:
Shoot Colombia.
Locations: Pittsburgh, USA; Cartagena and SantaMarta, Colombia.
Cast: Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson.
TV Serie s
A n t hon y B ou rd ain: Par t s Unk no w ne p i sode (2 01 3 )
Director: Sally Freeman
Production Company: Zero Poin Zero Production Inc., Cable News
Network-CNN
Locations: Villavicencio, Miraflores, Bogotá, and Cali, Colombia
Cast: Anthony Bourdain, Pablo Mora, Julio César González,
Hector Abad Faciolince.
Cov e r t A ffa i rs -e pis o d e ( 20 1 3 ) ( U S ) ,
Director: Stephen Kay.
Production company: NBC Universal,
Services in Colombia: RTI Productions,
Locations: Medellin, Cast: Piper Perabo, Christopher Gorham, Frank Hill.
Fa u t p a s R ê ve r-La C it é Pe rd ue
(D on’t D re a m -T h e Los t C it y ) ( 20 1 3 )
Director: Sylvain Bergere.
Production Company: France3, France.
Locations: Bogotá, Cucuta, Bucaramanga, Colombia.
Hal f t h e S k y (2 0 1 3)
Director: Charo Chermayeff and Jeff Dupre.
Production Company: Show of Force, US.
Production Services Company in Colombia: Dessu Productions.
Locations: Cartagena, Colombia.
R i v e r Mo n s te rs (2 0 1 3)
Director: Charlie Bingham.
Production Company: Icon Films, UK for Animal Planet.
Locations: Leticia, Colombia
Trav e l l e r ’s Ta l es (2 0 1 3)
Director: Mary Frymire.
Production Company: Handel Productions, Canada for National
Geographic.
Locations: Bogotá, Colombia
Wo ma n Ra i s e d by Monkeys (2 0 1 3 )
Director:Tobey Luke Trackman.
Production Company: Blink Films, UK for National Geographic.
Production Services Company in Colombia: Screen Colombia..
Locations: Santa Marta and Ciudad Perdida, Colombia.
General
information
Cari bean
sea
San
Andrés
Col om b i a ’s G e o g raph ic Lo c at io n
Panamá
Barranqui l la
Car tagena
Venezuela
Medel lín
General information
Pacific
ocean
Bogotá
Cal i
Official Name
Republic of Colombia
Capital
Bogotá,
7 million inhabitants
$261.89
gdp (pppus$ Thousands of Millions) (2012)
where?
Behind the scenes, “Roa”
gdp growth (2012)
45.2 million inhabitants
(77% urban, 23% rural)
4.7%
Inflation (2012)
2.4%
Exports ( US$ Millions) (2012)
$ 60.208
Population (2012)
Brazi l
Equador
Imports (US$ Millions) (2012)
$58.632
Foreign Direct Investment (US$ Millions) (2012)
$ 16.684
Literacy Rate
92.1%
Currency Colombian peso (COP)
Minimum wage/month (2013)
$330 USD
Perú
Source: President’s Office of Colombia, Banco de la República (Central Bank) and
Proexport.
F l i g h t Ti mes f rom B ogot á to
O t h er Impor ta nt Ci ti es Aro u nd
t h e Worl d a nd Ti me Zone
Paris
10:30 hrs.
Toronto
6 hrs.
Ne w York
5:30 hrs.
Los Angeles
8 hrs.
Madrid
10 hrs.
Mi ami
3 hrs.
México City
4:30 hrs.
B o go t á
C l i m ate
Because it´s a tropical country, the four seasons don´t exist but any climate
can be found at any time, depending on the region, whether you´re looking
for extremely cold mountain weather or the steamy temperatures found in
river valleys and along ocean coastlines.
S ea son s
Sao Paulo
5:45 hrs.
Santi ago
5 hrs.
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.
Buenos Aires
6:10 hrs.
Da y l i g ht
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.
Lang uage
Spanish, along with sixty-eigth other tongues spoken by around eighty
indigenous groups. English is taught in most schools.
Com p a r i s o n
Pr i nc ipa l Cit ies
Bogotá, the capital, Medellín, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Barranquilla, Cali,
Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, Bucaramanga, Tunja, Leticia.
G over n ment
State of
Cal ifor ni a
USA
Colombi a
423,971 km 2
(163,6 96 s p. m.)
1,141, 7 4 8 k m 2
(440,8 31 s p. m . )
France
Latin America´s 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.
Popu l at ion
6 7 5, 4 1 7 k m 2
( 26 0 , 7 80 s p. m . )
Colombia is the third most populated country in Latin America after
Brazil and Mexico. 77% of its 45.2 million inhabitants live in cities and 23%
live in rural areas.
R ace
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.
E conomy
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. Colombia´s industrial and agro-industrial production and
services are extremely diverse and the country´s economy is Latin America´s fourth largest after Brazil, Mexico and Argentina.
Hol id a y s
Colombia celebrates a number of holidays when schools and offices close.
The law requires that those who work holidays receive special remuneration.
P ubl ic Hol id a y s 2 01 4
1 January
6 January
24 March
17April
18 April
1 May
2 June
3 June
23 June
30 June
20 July
7 August
18 August
13 October
3 November
17 November
8 December
25 December
Colombia’s
General Infrastructure
A i r Tr a vel
The country is directly linked to major North American and European
cities with daily flights to New York, Miami, Mexico City, Madrid, Paris,
Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Panama, and many others. Principal airlines
including American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Iberia, Lufthansa and Air
France fly directly to Bogotá, some of them to Cartagena, Barranquilla and
Medellín. Avianca-Taca, Colombia’s major airline also handles international flights to Miami, New York, Los Angeles, among others.
A number of private companies specialize in helicopter and small plane
services throughout the country. www.aerocivil.gov.co
Tr a n sp or t
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 Chocó 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.
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. www.invias.gov.co
Ban king
The Colombian peso is the country´s sole currency. Major cities have
currency exchanges where international currency can be bought and
sold. These currency exchanges fix purchase and sales prices of foreign
currency based on market tendencies, which may be higher or lower than
the official exchange rate.
Branch banking and ATM machines 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 offices
in large cities offer extended office 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.
Hotel s a nd Accom mo d at ion s
Tourist and hotel services in Colombia are booming. In the last four
years, Colombia has shown a growth in tourism, with approximately 1.6
million travelers arriving in 2011. At the close of November 2012, the
country had a growth of 6.7% in entry of travelers compared to the same
period the year before. These numbers are the result of a policy geared
towards placing a higher emphasis on tourism offerings and increasing
resources for the promotion of the country.
Several international hotel chains such as Hilton, Sheraton, Marriot,
Ibis and Holiday Inn operate in Colombia along with first-class national
chains. 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.
Rest au r a nts
Restaurants throughout the country, particularly in major cities such as
Bogotá, Cartagena, Cali and Medellin, are currently enjoying gastronomical success, offering all kinds of national and international cuisine.
Anthony Bourdain, the traveling chef of the Travel and Living channel,
defines Colombian cooking: “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 flavors”.
Tele com mu n ic at ion s
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 country´s 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.
Tele phones/mobi le phones
Several companies offer mobile phone services with national and international coverage: Claro, Movistar and Tigo. Avantel (radiotelephone and
mobile) service is also available.
I nter net
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.
E le c t r ic it y
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.
Hea lt h
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 Medellín); optometry and ophthalmology (Barraquer Clinic Bogotá); orthodontia; and plastic surgery in cities such as Bogotá, Medellín and Cali. Municipal, departmental and university hospitals and clinics provide good general
and emergency care. There are health centers in most of small villages.
Regions
Ca r ibbea n Reg ion
• 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 Andrés and Providence archipelago.
• This region has four main cities 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.
• It has several archipelagos and many beautiful islands including the Rosario Islands near Cartagena, the San Andrés and Providence archipelago
off the coast of Central America and just a 2-hour flight from Bogotá, 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 world’s highest coastal mountain.
At the foot of the mountain lays the Tayrona National Park. Crystalclear
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.
• 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, fish and vegetation.
• 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.
M a i n Cit ies
Catagena de Indias, Barranquilla, San Andrés y Providencia, and Santa
Marta.
B og ot á : T he Nat ion’s
Capit a l
• Bogotá, the nation’s capital, is home to over 7 million people and is 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 country’s audiovisual activity is concentrated in Bogotá
because of the city’s technical infrastructure for all kinds of productions
(recording studios, sound stages, equipment rental companies, the main
private television channels, and international advertising agencies).
• Bogotá 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 Bogotá), and rural suburbs with large homes and beautiful gardens.
• There are several of the world’s largest and most spectacular paramos
(Andean moors) close to Bogotá, 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 country’s 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 Bogotá 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 city was once the final destination for those traveling from
Cartagena to Bogotá by river boat.
• Temperate zones close to Bogotá also feature old coffee plantations with
cobblestone footpaths and beautiful homes; vast fields of fruit trees; and
gorgeous recreational estates with magnificent gardens surrounded by the
exuberant flora and fauna typical of Colombia’s temperate zone.
S out her n A ndea n Reg ion
• This region includes the departments of Tolima, Valle del Cauca, and Huila, located to the south of the central region of Colombia. All of Colombia’s
climates and geographical accidents can be found in these lands.
The department of Tolima offers countless natural, cultural and gastronomic attractions. Some of the department’s prominent cities are El Espinal,
Mariquita, and the municipality of Honda, declared a national heritage site.
• Important ecotourism attractions include the national natural parks of Los Nevados and the water sports practiced in the reservoir of the El Prado
hydroelectric dam, where aquaculture is also practiced. Rice and cotton are grown in Tolima, thanks to the Magdalena River, known as the river of the
homeland, and other major rivers running through the department. The department is the country’s largest rice producer, second largest cotton producer,
and third largest coffee producer.
• The Cauca River valley is one of the widest, most beautiful, and most fertile valleys in Colombia. It runs from southwest to northeast through the center
of the department that bears its name, the department of Valle del Cauca. The region has lush vegetation, massive hundred-year-old trees (ceibas, mahoganies, Madras thorns, etc.), bushes, and flowers that stretch across vast territories, some of which resemble the African plains. Sugar cane, fruit trees,
and sorghum are grown over expansive fields in the lands of the valley. Extensive cattle ranching is also carried out. There are large estates throughout the
region, and some of them conserve their colonial architecture with beautiful gardens and spacious cobblestone patios.
• Cali is the capital of the department. It has around two million inhabitants, making it the third most populated city in the country. Cali has been a firstrate center for film activity in Colombia since the 1970s. The city has been witness to the emergence of directors working in fiction film, documentaries,
and television, as well as major talents in the performing and audiovisual arts. The city has an excellent film school at the Universidad del Valle.
• The department of Huila is characterized by varied agricultural production and by the formation of amazingly different landscapes, such as the Tatacoa
Desert and the Colombian Massif, located at opposite extremes of the department. It is the only Colombian department with six national natural parks.
The Tatacoa Desert is one of the main attractions in the area. This dry tropical forest of 330 square kilometers, paradoxically very close to the course of
the Magdalena River, offers an arid landscape of ochre and ash colors formed by erosion.
One of the main symbols of the department is the San Agustin Archeological Park, thanks to the stunning works left by ancient cultures that lived here
before the Christian Era. These works are a collection of statues, stone reliefs, burial mounds, cobblestone paths, embankments, and terraces.
Main Cities
Cali, Ibagué, Neiva.
Cent r a l A ndea n Reg ion
• This region includes Colombia’s three coffee growing departments (Caldas,
Risaralda and Quindío) and the southern part of the department of Antioquia, extending from the Central Andean range to the foothills of the
Western Andean range.
• Colombia’s 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 18-22º C (64-68º F); and rolling valleys along the great
Magdalena and Cauca Rivers running the length of the country from north
to south.
• The Central Region’s temperate zone is one of the country’s most beautiful
with exuberant vegetation and a wealth of flowers, bamboo groves, towering
trees such as the ceiba and pisingo, and coffee plantations throughout, where
the world’s 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 flowers 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.
• The region features majestic mountains, peaks, ridges, canyons and
hollows; big rivers, streams, and waterfalls of astounding beauty; lakes and
lagoons; snowy peaks, paramos (Andean moors) and gorgeous landscape in
cool, temperate and hot climates. Colombia’s Andean region is anything but
flat!
• Small production and postproduction houses operate in Medellín and
trained personnel with experience in recent large productions are available.
M a i n c it ies
Armenia, Manizales, Medellin, Pereira, and Ibagué.
A m a z on Reg ion
Ea ster n Reg ion
• 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- Boyacá savannah at 2,600
meters (8,530 feet) above sea level, starting from the capital Bogotá and
over most of the Boyacá department.
• The Cundinamarca-Boyacá 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, flower
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. It’s the ideal place for high mountain climbers and
eco-tourism.
• This region has numerous paramos (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 country’s major rivers.
Paramos in the region include the Sumapaz Páramo (the world’s largest),
and the Pisba, Chingaza and Choachí paramos.
• 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 flora
including an incredible diversity of orchids (Colombia has more orchid
species than any other country), soaring palm trees, ferns, bushes, and
uniquely beautiful flowers 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.
M a i n c it ies
Barichara, Bucaramanga, Tunja and Villa de Leyva
• 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 flight
from Bogotá, the nation’s capital. It is the region’s 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, Camá and Inga tribes. Leticia is close to the neighboring
city of Tabatinga on the Brazilian border and the Peruvian border as well.
• It is difficult 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 flora 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 fish such as the piracuru and pirañas in the Amazon River and in
the swamps and marshes and infinite streams that wind through the jungle
vegetation.
• The Amazon River as it rolls past Leticia is so vast that it is often difficult
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, Yabarí 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 cargo and passengers.
• Yellow fever vaccination is required at least ten days before traveling.
• Average temperature: 30 °C (86 °F)
M a i n Cit y
Leticia
Special
Locations
The Colombian Film Commission recommends another region, two cities
and a national monument with a special charm and beauty worth considering, although far from the beaten track and more difficult to access.
C ho có
• Colombia’s only province with both Caribbean and Pacific shores. These
coastlines are dramatically different: the bright, transparent waters of the
Caribbean coast, close to Panama, are a national tourist destination and the
Pacific shores are located in jungle areas and have strong tides and a long coastline. There are hotels along both coasts but they must be accessed by air.
• The Bay of Utría along the Pacific coast is a refuge for the Yubarta whales
that swim up from the south every year to give birth.
• The Chocó province is an immense, exotically beautiful rainforest – one of
the rainiest places in the world. It is a mega-diverse region rich in native flora
and fauna. There are no highways and most of the region’s transportation
takes place on the swift rivers.
• Most of the inhabitants of the Chocó province are of African descent and
cohabit with numerous indigenous communities in the region such as the
Catía and Embera peoples.
Ma i n c i t y
Quibdo
Po pa yá n
• Is the capital of Cauca province, located at the southwest of the country. Its historical center is considered one of the most beautiful and well
preserved colonial cities of Colombia, and Latin America. It is also known as
the white city, due to the color of its buildings and architecture.
• Nearby is Puracé National Natural Park, a geothermal wonderland of hot
springs, waterfalls, and an inactive volcano from which the park derives its
name. The nearest large city is Cali, in the neighboring department of Valle
del Cauca, to the north of Cauca.
• The UNESCO declared the processions held during Easter Week as a
Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Patrimony of Humanity.
Mom pox
• 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 country’s interior to the Caribbean. The
city’s classic and religious Sevillian architecture survives this glorious era and
makes Mompox one of Colombia’s most beautiful and best-preserved cities.
• The charm of the city’s churches, parks, monuments, its cemetery, avenues,
tiny streets, alleys and centennial houses make it seem as if time in Mompox
has stopped. Dino Rossi filmed Chronicle of a Death Foretold, based on the
novel by Colombian Nobel winner Gabriel García Márquez, in this city.
• It is famous for its gorgeous filigree work. Many artists and artisans create
exquisitely elegant gold and silver pieces.
• It 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. Colombia’s liberator Simon
Bolivar stayed in one of the city’s large homes, now a comfortable hotel.
La s La ja s
• 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 Nariño 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 Nariño.
• 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.
Land of
MegaDiversity
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, paramos (Andean moors), expansive
valleys, two oceans, deserts, countless rivers, lakes and lagoons, and thousands of plant and animal species of astounding beauty.
All of Colombia’s 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
climates 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.
• 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 the world´s richest countries in water with five major
hydrographic basins flowing into the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Oceans
as well as the Amazon, Orinoco or Catatumbo Rivers.
• Caribbean and Pacific 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.
• 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, flowers, gorgeous
emeralds and talented people.
Old
Providence
Macuira
Isla de
Salamanca
Cienaga Grande de
Sta. Marta
Corales del Rosario
El mono
Hernández
Tayrona
Sierra Nevada de
Santa Marta
Los Colorados
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.
Las
Orquídeas
Serranía de
los Yariguies
Cocuy
Guanentá Alto
y Río Fonce
Selva Florencia
Tamatá
Los Nevados
Colombia’s
National
Parks
Pisba
Iguaque
Chingaza
Las Hermosas
Farallones
de Cali
Nevado del
Huila
Cahuinari
Río Puré
Amacayacu
how?
Behind the scenes, “La sargento matacho”
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 Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Migración Colombia.
Cou r tesy Visa s
For foreign nationals considered technical or artistic crew, actors or actresses
participating in the making of films to be produced or shot on Colombian
territory under the benefit of Law 1556, the written request for a Courtesy
Visa must be submitted by the producer of the project to the Colombian
Film Commission.
The period of the courtesy visas are 30-day to 1-year visas.
The petitioner must present the same information needed to submit the
National Film Office Resolution Allowing for Filming on National Territory.
Additionally, it must include a certification of health insurance purchased for
the period of the stay.
With this information fulfilled, the Colombian Film Commission 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 an appointment at the Bogotá Visas Office.
Tempora r y Visito rs
Foreign nationals from any of the 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 film office resolution allowing for filming on national
territory), may enter as Temporary Visitors. They must present a copy of this
authorization to Migración Colombia along with a letter of invitation from the
company producing or organizing the project in which they plan to participate.
Wo rk
Persons contracted by local companies to perform specialized activities, technicians, journalists, members of artistic groups, legal representatives, and others.
To find out the Countries not requiring a tourist visa to visit Colombia go to:
www.locationcolombia.com/Visas
O bl i ga tor y Regist r y
Those granted a visa valid for more than 3 months must register with the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs-MIGRACION COLOMBIA 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, MIGRACION COLOMBIA will issue the visitor a
Cédula de Extranjería (foreigner’s 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
Permits
Authorizations
International audiovisual productions require authorization from the Ministry of Culture’s Film Office before filming in Colombia.
Audiovisual productions of any kind must secure a series of national and
local permits, depending on the project’s chosen location. The following are
some examples of permits required:
Na t i o n a l Fi l m O ffi ce Res o l ut i o n A l l o w i n g fo r Fi lm i n g o n Na t i o n a l Te r rito r y
To request authorization to film foreign works on national territory the petitioner must present the following documents to the Ministry of Culture’s
Film Office (in Spanish):
Written request addressed to the Ministry of Culture’s Film Office (Dirección de Cinematografía 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 filming, listing
their identification documents and the functions they will fulfill during
filming of the work.
• Information regarding Colombian artistic and technical personnel
scheduled to intervene in filming, when applicable.
Estimate of financial resources to be invested in filming on Colombian
territory.
• Places and dates foreseen for shooting.
The authorization to film 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 fifteen (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)
L o c a l Pe r m i t s
These must be obtained from authorities in the city or municipality where
taping or filming takes place. Some of these cities have their own regulations
that must be respected. We recommend producers and directors contact the
Colombian Film Commission to find out about these regulations.
Nat io nal Park Perm it s
To film, tape or take photographs in nationally protected areas, a request must
be filled with the head office of the Special Administrative Unit of the National
Natural Park System. According to the project a fee must be paid.
www.parquesnacionales.gov.co
Perm it to Im po r t Anim als,
Veg et ables o r Ag ricult ural
Pro duct s
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 Importación in Spanish) from the Colombian Agricultural
Institute (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario). Certain products are exempt
from this requirement. Consult the Colombian Agricultural Institute’s import/
export guide for animals, vegetables and agricultural products.
www.ica.gov.co/Importacion-y-Exportacion.aspx
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 film and audiovisual work in Colombia, legislation has established
the following preferential treatment in customs houses:
• With authorization to make a foreign film from the Ministry of Culture, necessary film equipment and materials may be imported for periods of 6 months,
renewable for an additional 6 months. See page 37.
• Consumable goods such as film, 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, films 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 films.
All professional materials and equipment for film production and blank film
or film printed with image and sound are qualified as “special delivery” by cus-
toms. Although other “special delivery” cases are subject to a guarantee, this is
not true for film 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 Office (DIAN) is responsible for authorizing
airports and ports for imports and exports.
www.locationcolombia.com/Customs
Hiring
Personnel
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:
C iv i l/ Co mme rci al Cont ract
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 fix the domicile for legal purposes: Colombia or the producer’s 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 define the rights each of these authors grants
to the producer of the film 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 definitive 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 filmed, with actors and phonographic producers or
composers of music to be synched to the film, 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.
Tempora r y E mp l o y me n t
A gency ( E T T )
The use of temporary employment agencies is a common practice for hiring
cast, technical and artistic crew for the audiovisual sector.
Temporary Employment Agencies (ETT, as per the acronym in Spanish) are
companies whose activity consists of temporarily placing workers hired by the
ETT with a user company. Only employment agencies which have been properly authorized under the terms provided by law may hire workers in order to
temporarily assign them to another company.
La bor Co nt ra c t s
These contracts cover all forms of labor governed by Colombia’s Substantive
Labor Code. This model is not often used for film productions requiring work
for limited periods compared with other fields.
Taxes
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 production’s
unique characteristics.
Valu e Add ed Ta x ( IVA)
The VAT tax is added to the cost of goods and services purchased in Colombia.
There are three major tax groups: 0%, 5% and 16%. Services such as restaurants carry an 8% VAT tax.
There is no VAT tax on goods temporarily imported for a limited duration
such as equipment and other elements used in film production and shooting
activities. Foreign exchange or currency sales are VAT-excluded operations.
Starting in 2014, no VAT will be charged for imported goods subject to express
shipments totally less than two hundred dollars (USD 200).
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.
Na ti ona l Co nsu mer Ta x
This tax was recently created by Act 1607 of 2012 and is charged for services
or sales to the end consumer or for the following items imported by the end
consumer:
• Mobile phone services.
• The sale of certain tangible personal property, domestically produced goods
or imported goods.
• Services related to the sale of food and beverages prepared in restaurants,
cafes, supermarkets, ice cream and fruit shops, pastry shops and bakeries,
including contracted food services and the sale of food and alcoholic beverages
for consumption in bars, taverns and nightclubs.
These goods and services are not subject to VAT.
Incom e Ta x
In Colombia, as a rule, individuals and corporations are subject to income tax
rates ranging between 0% and 33% for individuals and 25% for domestic corporations or foreign corporations with a permanent branch or establishment in
Colombia, paid upon delivery of an annual income tax statement.
Foreign individuals and corporations with no permanent residence, domicile,
branch or establishment in Colombia pay income tax only on income earned in
Colombia originating in the sale of goods located in Colombia, the exploitation
of tangible or intangible goods in Colombia, and the provision of services
within the country. Your rate will be 33% of Colombian source income.
Legislation provides a mechanism called withholding tax, which consists of
collecting income tax in advance. Foreign individuals or corporations with no
residence, domicile, branch or permanent establishment in Colombia are not
required to charge withholding tax when making payments to third parties.
This means foreign non-resident filmmakers making third-party payments in
Colombia are not required to charge withholding tax. However, if these payments are made through Colombian individuals or organizations, they would be
obliged to apply the withholding tax to both Colombians and foreigners.
Revenue earned by artists, technicians and production personnel that do not
reside in the country, when there is no contract and no payments generated by
their participation in foreign film shall be considered as foreign income, as long
as the National Film Office Resolution Allowing for Filming on National Territory has been issued. In such case, income tax in Colombia does not apply.
www.locationcolombia.com/Taxes
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.
Policies offer general coverage for the following:
• Actors and artistic and technical personnel guaranteeing payment of insured
amounts due to interruption of filming, 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 filming.
• 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 filming.
• Losses suffered by producer due to additional expenses related to interruption or suspension.
www.locationcolombia.com/Insurance
Entering
the Country with
Foreign
Currency
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 nontransferable, 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. Traveler’s 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.
Fo reig n Inv est m ent
The following is considered foreign investment
• Contribution to company capital through purchase of shares, stock, premiums, convertible bonds or 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).
Film Commis- Photographs
sion Services
• Walk through and inform producers about the cash rebate 40% - 20%.
• 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.
• Advise producers and directors about Colombian legislation regarding
taxes, financing, hiring, customs, permits, visas, coproduction, etc.
• Supply contact with the various businesses, producers, institutions and national and regional authorities related to their productions in order to make
their work quicker and more effective.
• Facilitate the expedition of National film office permit for filming on
national territory and the courtesy visas for cast and crew.
• Set-up packages of photographs of locations upon request.
• Organize pre-scouts and support recce process in Colombia.
• Ensure that producers, directors, cast and crew have the best experience
shooting in our country.
Staff
Silvia Echeverri
Film Commissioner
silvia@locationcolombia.com
help!
Behind the scenes, “Left to die”
Claudia Triana
Proimagenes Colombia Director
claudiatriana@proimagenescolombia.com
Lina María Sánchez
Film Commission Assistant Director
lina@locationcolombia.com
Lucía González
Projects Coordinator
lucia@locationcolombia.com
Carlos Alberto Ramos
Information Coordinator
info@locationcolombia.com
Javier Ruiz
Administrative Coordinator
admon@locationcolombia.com
Contact
www.locationcolombia.com
info@locationcolombia.com
Phone: [57+1] 2870103
Mobile Phone: [57] 320 345 6635 - 310 320 2878
Address: Calle 35 No. 5 -89 (Barrio La Merced)
Bogotá,D.C. – Colombia
Cover: Behind the Scenes “Aislados”, courtesy of Marcela Lizcano, Cineversa
Cine.
Photographers:
Pag 20 Helena Sedano Bernal – Agüita ‘e Coco, San Andrés
Pag 22 Germán Montes – Plaza de Bolívar
Pag 23 Germán Montes – Maloka, Carlos Lema – Palace of San Carlos, Jorge
Eliecer Gaitán Theater
Pag 24 Barranquilla – Cartagena, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and
Tourism
Pag 25 San Andrés North End View – Cartagena, Guajira Yonna Dance, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Pag 26 Guatape, Caldas – Explora Park – Carré Building – Coffee grower,
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Pag 27 Caldas, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Pag 28 Tatacoa Desert, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Pag 29 Cali – Proexport Colombia, Vice-presidency of Tourism, Bahía
Malaga Alejandro Ceballos Jimenez Ministry of Commerce, Industry and
Tourism, San Agustín Huila Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Pag 30 Los Tres Chorros San Agustín Huila – Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Pag 31 Boyacá, Barichara Ministry of Commerce – Industry and Tourism
Pag 32 Indigenous Community La Libertad – Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Pag 33 Amazonas River – Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism,
Monkey – National Natural Parks, Victoria Regia Ministry of Commerce,
Industry and Tourism
Pag 34 Chocó Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Pag 35 Metropolitan Cathedral Cauca – Ministry of Commerce, Industry
and Tourism, Las Lajas Andrés Felipe Castaño
Pag 36 Chingaza Fauna – Cristian García National Natural Parks
Pag 37 Monkeys – National Natural Parks, Los Estoraques – Robinson
Galindo, Alto Fragua – Arleth Gonzalez ,El Cocuy – Cristian García, Corales
Rosario – Hernán Lopera National Natural Parks
ag 39 El Cocuy – Fabián Beltrán, Chicamocha – National Natural Parks,
Cocotera – National Natural Parks
B e h i nd t he s ce n e s a n d
St i l l P h o tog ra p h y:
Pag 4, 45 Left to Die – Sandbar, Dynamo
Pag 6 ROA – Dynamo
Pag 8 Cazando Luciérnagas – Kymera Producciones
Pag 11 Out of the Dark – Apaches Entertainment, Dynamo
Pag 16, 17 ROA – Dynamo
Pag 40 La Sargento Matacho – Enic Producciones
Pag 47 Ciudad Delirio – 64 A Films, Film Fatal
Pag 48 El Faro – De la Tierra Producciones
Ins
t i t u t i o n a l Ph otog ra p h y:
National Natural Parks
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Proexport Colombia, Vice-presidency of Tourism.
Viztaz Foundation
Revela Colombia Contest
Red Turística de Pueblos Patrimonio (Heritage villages of Colombia tourism network)
Behind the scenes, “Ciudad Delirio”
who?
Behind the scenes “El faro”
If you can dream it, we can do it!
Our Services:
50
Film and Television Production.
Structuring and financing film projects
Legal and financial advice for film projects.
Film production services for Colombia, the U.S. and Mexico.
Consultancy and management in Colombian Cinema Law.
Contact us:
Mobile: Col : +57 3014451945 • U.S : + 1 4344812006
vp@verasurfilms.com • www.verasurfilms.com
BOGOTÁ
AUDIOVISUAL
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UNITED KINGDOM, GUEST OF HONOR 2014
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.bogotamarket.com - info@bogotamarket.com - +571 2870103
Bogota, Colombia
58
be
O rd e n
Behind the Scenes “Aislados”