The Fijian Government still has an outstanding amount of $6 million to pay film producers from the initial accumulated rebate payment of $200 million, while, renegotiated payment arrangements and settlements with production companies have resulted in an additional $22 million in savings on rebate obligations.
While confirming this in Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Industries Manoa Kamikamica says the film industry has recorded strong economic activity over the past three years, with productions generating $86.9 million in direct expenditure in 2023, $77.2 million in 2024 and $96.2 million in 2025.
Kamikamica says the industry supported around 950 local employment opportunities in 2023, more than 1,000 in 2024 and approximately 1,200 in 2025.
He says the 2025 direct expenditure of $96.2 million translated into an estimated $173 million in wider economic activity.
Kamikamica says Fiji's long-standing partnerships with international productions such as Survivor and Love Island USA demonstrate the confidence international producers have in the country's locations, workforce, infrastructure and production capabilities.
He says Survivor has filmed in Fiji for 11 years and is estimated to have generated approximately $310 million in net expenditure, while Love Island USA has generated around $120 million and Love Island Games approximately $40 million.
He says international film and television productions are also contributing to tourism, generating more than one million hotel room nights between 2014 and 2025, including approximately 135,000 room nights last year alone.
Kamikamica says the Government wants to ensure Fijians benefit from the industry by creating more opportunities for locals to progress into specialised and senior positions in cinematography, directing, producing, editing and sound engineering.
He highlights Fijian camera professional Lanza Coffin, who began working with Survivor in 2017 and has since become the first Fijian recognised as part of a camera team nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Programme for Survivor 50.
Kamikamica says the Government is also working on a proposed service provider database to connect international production companies with local businesses, including accommodation providers, transport operators, caterers, equipment suppliers and creative professionals.
He says Fiji's 2026-2027 programme is targeting 80 productions, including four rebate productions and 55 non-rebatable productions, with a target of $100 million in net economic activity and approximately 660 direct employment opportunities.
While responding to a question by Opposition MP Semi Koroilavesau about whether landowners and resource owners are satisfied with the compensation they have received for the use of their land and waterways as he says he has received some
reservations from resource owners, Kamikamica confirms they have not received any concerns directly.
He has told Koroilavesau that if he has has any issues, he is very happy to consider them.
