EXPLORE THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

The Dominican Republic has had a long history as a film destination, hosting iconic film productions such as The Godfather II, directed by Francis Ford Coppola in the 1970s. These days, the Dominican Republic has much more to offer with its diverse and attractive shooting locations, state-of-the-art facilities, well-established film industry, and coveted film incentives. Explore all that the Dominican Republic has to offer through these helpful articles:

© 2020 – Lantica Media. All Rights Reserved.

Your audiovisual production may be able to benefit from the following film incentives under the Dominican Film Law:

What we offer

25% Transferable Tax Credit* on all eligible expenses incurred while in the Dominican Republic.

  • Eligible expenses are directly related to the pre-production, production, and post-production stages of qualifying audiovisual productions.
    The credit may be transferred to one or more Dominican taxpayers.
  • *The film tax credit cannot be transferred for less than 60% of its value.

Value-added Tax Exemption on eligible goods, services, and leases.

  • Eligible goods, services, and leases: Transfer of services and industrialized goods from suppliers registered in the Film Commission.
  • Expenses directly related to the pre-production, production, and post-production stages of qualifying audiovisual productions.

Exemption of Tariffs and Taxes on Temporary Imports.

  • Eligible for equipment, consumables, and non-consumable goods necessary for filming.

Cap per project: None

Qualified Labor: Includes residents and non-residents alike.

Requirements

The film incentives apply to all Feature Films, TV movies, TV Series, TV Mini-Series, TV Reality Shows, Documentaries, Telenovelas, and Music Videos that meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum of local expenditure: USD $500,000
  • Minimum employment of locals: 25% of the cast and crew (including both Dominican nationals and residents)
  • Registration in the Dominican Film Commission:
  • Engage the services of a local production company that is registered at the Film Commission (Recommended)
  • Constitute a company registered at the Dominican Chamber of Commerce, as a Dominican taxpayer, and as a production company at the Dominican Film Commission
  • Obtain a Shooting Permit
  • Undergo an audit
  • Provide the Dominican Film Commission an on-screen credit

Facts to keep in mind

Withholding Tax for international hires:

  • A 1.5% rate when hiring services from Lantica Media/ Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios
  • A 27% rate for foreign cast and crew when hiring other production services companies (with the exception of Canadian and Spanish nationals)
  • A 10% rate for Canadian or Spanish cast and crew

The Santo Domingo Area

The Santo Domingo province and the Distrito Nacional (National District)

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

The city of Santo Domingo

Capital of Dominican Republic | Located in Distrito Nacional

 

  • The city of Santo Domingo is undoubtedly the cultural, financial, political, commercial, and industrial hub of the Dominican Republic. The city has a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere in which contemporary and colonial aesthetics meet.
  • Urban setting with a great variety of shopping malls, parks, restaurants, clubs, hotels, museums and art galleries

Photo by: David Stanley 

Santo Domingo Province

Located in the South

 

  • Accessible public transport to the city of Santo Domingo
  • Combination of residential, rural and urban settings
  • Landscape and attractions:
    • Beach, rivers, and rural landscapes
    • Clubs, parks, malls, and an aquarium

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

© 2020 – Lantica Media. All Rights Reserved.

Southeast Region

The provinces of San Pedro de Macorís, La Romana, La Altagracia, Monte Plata, Hato Mayor and El Seibo

 

  • Nowadays, the Southeastern region is internationally regarded as the tourism hub of the country. Historically, this region was known for its sugar cane fields and sugar production facilities.
  • Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios, located in the San Pedro de Macorís province, offers state-of-the-art studio facilities for both international and local productions alike.
  • Landscapes and attractions: beaches, golf courses, lagoons, springs, caves

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

North/Cibao Region

The provinces of Samaná, María Trinidad Sánchez, Duarte, Sánchez Ramírez, Monseñor Nouel, La Vega, Santiago, Hermanas, Espaillat, Puerto Plata, Valverde, Santiago Rodríguez, Monte Cristi and Dajabón

 

  • The North/Cibao is characterized by its ecotourism and its strong agricultural background. Locals refer to many of its landscapes as hidden gems as they offer private and uniquely beautiful bodies of water as well as a verdant mountainous countryside.
  • Landscapes: tropical rainforests, mountains, valleys, waterfalls, rivers, lagoons, beaches

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

Southwest Region

The provinces of Pedernales, Barahona, Independencia, Bahoruco, Azua, San Jose de Ocoa, Peravia, San Cristobal, San Juan, La Estrelleta

 

  • The Southwest is also widely admired for its ecotourism. The area is known for having breathtaking landscapes and the greatest biodiversity of the whole island.
  • Landscapes: sand dunes, beaches, an isle, lagoons, lake, caves

The culture of the Dominican Republic is a fusion of its European, West African, and Native American heritage. Recent waves of immigration from Asia, the Middle East, and other Latin American countries have also greatly enriched the cultural diversity of the country.

© 2010-2019 – Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

Ethnic Diversity

The country’s ethnic and racial diversity has not only influenced modern Dominican cuisine, music, and art, but it has also made our silver screens more diverse. Local casting agencies work with international productions to help look for performers whose ethnic and racial profiles fit the stories they are trying to tell. This has made it much simpler and more cost-effective for international productions to cast extras & supporting players.

Language(s)

  • The Dominican Republic’s official language is Spanish
  • Haitian Creole is widely spoken in some regions of the country
  • Growth in the tourism and commercial sectors has encouraged many Dominicans to learn and improve their English- and French-speaking skills. The Dominican Republic has been classified as having a moderate level of English proficiency by the EF English Proficiency Index.

Religion

Religious distribution:

  • 68.9% Roman Catholic
  • 18.2% Evangelical
  • 10.6% Atheists
  • 2.3% other.

Due to the majority Roman Catholic population in the Dominican Republic, Catholic holidays are generally considered national holidays.

Safety Tips

The Dominican Republic has a friendly and welcoming environment. Most foreign productions, especially while working with local production service teams, experience a trouble-free visit. However, there are some safety recommendations that might be useful during your stay:

Think like a local

  • Use Uber and hotel-provided labeled taxis
  • Renting a car is a great idea when accompanied by a local
  • Ask your production service team for the most effective and safest way to arrive at your destination
  • Stay hydrated, but never drink tap water, as this water has not been filtered for human consumption
  • Bring your sunscreen and apply it often! If you’re especially fair-skinned, consider wearing hats or caps.
  • Insect repellant is a lifesaver, especially when exploring more humid remote areas
  • Consult your local team about the quality of restaurants and food & beverage suppliers
  • We highly recommend going to a private clinic when seeking medical assistance
  • Avoid using your phone or wearing expensive accessories while walking down the street
  • There’s safety in numbers! Avoid wandering off alone.
  • Always explore remote locations accompanied by a local
  • Don’t accept gifts, objects, or pamphlets from strangers
  • Exchange money at banks or at reputable exchange houses