Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad has announced bold measures to boost Fiji’s growing film sector, underscoring that the industry is a key element of the government’s economic diversification strategy.
Speaking at the launch of the Suva International Short Film Festival 2025 held at Damodar Cinemas tonight, Professor Prasad highlighted that Fiji’s National Development Plan 2025–2029 and Vision 2050 prioritize creative industries, including film, with goals to make them robust and sustainable.
He says in the 2025–2026 budget, the government has introduced a film tax rebate package featuring a 20 percent cash rebate and $10.3 million in funding for new film and television productions.
To qualify, he says feature films and broadcast TV programs must spend at least $250,000 in Fiji.
He also revealed that in 2022, 66 productions had generated $113.8 million in economic activity, with $40.6 million spent locally.
The Deputy Prime Minister says from 2023 to 2024, the industry’s contribution jumped to $255.9 million, employing approximately 1,268 Fijians.
Professor Prasad says future infrastructure investments include film studios, large water tanks for underwater shoots, and the establishment of an audiovisual lab and incubator to nurture local talent, including support actors, local producers, and crew.
While commending Film Fiji for its ongoing efforts, particularly its script development and producers accelerator programs, he says these initiatives help build professional capacity for Fijian creatives.
Professor Prasad then expressed the belief that film festivals could evolve into signature cultural events, not just for Fiji but for the broader Pacific community, enhancing cultural exchange while growing the sector economically.
