Film Fiji board chair reveals government paid down $160 million debt to major Hollywood studios

Film Fiji Board Chair, Culden Kamea has revealed that there is still $20 million in unpaid rebates owed to major American production companies in Hollywood.

Speaking about the issue at the launch of the Suva International Short Film Festival 2025 at Damodar Cinemas last night, Kamea says when the Fiji Film Commission was taken over a few years ago, it was burdened with a massive outstanding debt of close to $180 million in unpaid rebates.

Kamea says that the first thing he asked was for the director's insurance because “these guys are very serious, they will sue the pants off you.”

He says that the government has since paid down the debt, with only $20 million outstanding, and that the repayment was largely managed by Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad.

Kamea also shared that the major studios involved, including Hollywood giants like CBS and Paramount, are very grateful for the government’s efforts to settle the debt.

He says the payment of this debt has helped restore Fiji’s reputation as a trusted filming destination and paved the way for future international film productions.

Finance Minister Prof. Prasad says to show support, the government was able to clear most of the debt, and is providing regional incentives for films to be made in Fiji, not only promoting big movie producers and filmmakers, but the local ones as well.