The Moravian-Silesian Region is the most recent in the Czech Republic to offer grants to support audiovisual productions. The aim of the new grant program is to encourage filmmakers to shoot in the region and to effectively take advantage of the economic and marketing potential of such filming. The Support for the Filming Audiovisual Works in the Moravian-Silesian Region 2019-2021 funding program was approved by the Regional Council at the end of August. Applications will be accepted between October 1 and 15, 2019.
“Our region offers filmmakers unique locations and a unique atmosphere. Options for shooting include interesting industrial sites as well as the natural beauty of the Beskydy and Jeseník Mountains. I’m convinced that we also have great human resource potential. I hope that the financial support we’re offering will attract filmmakers,” says Jan Krkoška, deputy governor responsible for regional development and tourism.
Support is aimed at feature and documentary films, series and episodes of series with distribution in cinemas, television, and streaming services. Eligible costs must relate to actual filming in the region, post-production expenses are not included. The region has earmarked five million crowns for the grant, with the maximum single grant award set at 2.5 million crowns.
In evaluating projects, consideration will be given to: the type and extent of utilization of local locations, services, and film professionals; the manner in which the region is presented in the audiovisual work; the project’s content and thematic connection with the region; the total amount of funds spent locally; and the promotional and marketing potential for the region. An essential condition is that double the grant amount must be spent within the Moravian-Silesian Region. Audiovisual projects supported by the Grant Program (in Czech only).
The program is a result of the cooperation between the region and the Moravian-Silesian Film Office, which is part of the regional destination agency Moravian-Silesian Tourism. The film office is the first point of contact for incoming productions in the region 
and its aims include ensuring that productions take advantage of local resources – services, people and locations – to the greatest extent possible.
“The Moravian-Silesian Region has great locations and human resource potential, which can be confirmed by previous productions. We unfortunately lose out on many potential productions due to our distance from Prague, where the film business is concentrated. This grant program is specifically designed to help turn this around and help attract projects that are interested in the Moravian-Silesian locations and atmosphere,” adds head of the Moravian-Silesian Film Office Hana Vítková.