Ministry aims for more TV and movie filming in Cayman
(CNS): The Ministry of Tourism & Ports (MOTP) has created the new government position of film commissioner to promote the Cayman Islands as a “premier location for film, television and media production”. This move builds “on the momentum” of the recent reality TV show Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise“, according to a release from the ministry.
The aim of creating the new post within the Department of Tourism is to “provide increased opportunities for Caymanians through continued development of the burgeoning local film and television industry”, the ministry said.
According to the ad posted on the Cayman Islands Government career portal, the film commissioner, who will earn between CI$64,056 and $84,036 per year, will be the “logistical, supportive, and operational agent” for the DoT “in facilitating the function of the Cayman Islands Film Commission (CIFC)”. The successful candidate will be the primary liaison between the CIFC, the CIG, private sector stakeholders, and international clients.
The ministry’s release said the film commissioner will be responsible for promoting the Cayman Islands as a top-tier destination for production companies and studios, liaising with film or television projects approved to shoot on the island, and coordinating the newly launched production incentive programme, which offers up to a 35% rebate on qualifying on-island expenditures.
“Building on the momentum of several international feature films and the recent HULU/Freeform/Disney+ series, Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise, the CIFC is working in conjunction with the international film and television community to capitalize and promote our country through the unique exposure that comes from international productions utilising the Cayman Islands as a premium film location,” the ministry said.
The ministry said that in recent years, the CIFC, which is chaired by Caymanian filmmaker, film director and screenwriter Frank E. Flowers, who co-wrote the movie Bob Marley: One love, has assisted with more than 20 film and television productions. These have contributed millions of dollars to the local economy and provided specialised employment and hands-on training for Caymanians in the field.
“The CIFC’s efforts have also produced uniquely related, in-kind, high-value marketing exposure for our islands with promotions on The Kelly Clarkson Show, premium billboards in New York’s Times Square and Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles, and extensive marketing presence via social media and streaming service platforms. The CIFC has been actively promoting the Cayman Airways LAX-GCM direct service to influential members of the Hollywood entertainment industry, as well as fostering relationships in New York and the United Kingdom,” the release said.
The CIFC said it “looks forward to the selected individual joining the efforts to grow the Cayman Islands as a ‘go-to’ location within the international creative community and to cultivate Caymanian talent for viable opportunities within the competitive industry”.
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Category: Art & Entertainment, Jobs, Local News
We can fake it all we want but tourists will watch these shows & be very disappointed once they get here. Our tourism product isn’t that great believe it or not and everything’s so expensive. If you can afford to vacation here you can afford every Caribbean island and it’s less crowded, better service, superb food & more privacy.
Bet this will benefit expats more than Caymanians.
What a joke.
Risible stuff from a Department of Tourism that is absolutely unfit for purpose.
The lack of vision and understanding is mind boggling.
Stay classy Cayman…
Let’s take bets on who this position is going to go to ….
Any professional film production company would laugh this right off their consideration list when they consider the price list, skills deficit, and their location scouts would confirm there’s very little to work with. Everything has to be imported months ahead of filming. 35% rebate on the millions in cost overruns isn’t a studio incentive. The DOT needs to stop pretending they have any understanding of how these decisions are made – and stop bankrolling their caviar fantasies with public money.
Ministry sucks, nuff said.
Nothing they do is in the interest of Caymanians. Can they just stop saying that to make them self’s look good.
Bring in more multi millionares to launder money.
Lettuce bee cereal….
Only cokeheads need apply!
They will need things to do when they get here aside from filming and working. What are we offering if we keep destroying the environment to have hotels that look just like where they come from? What about if they bring their families for the short time they are here? With the skate park gone, and a few beaches. What are we offering for teenagers other than underage drinking?
Thanks, but no thanks! That Secrets in Paradise “show” was pure and absolute foolishness. Besides, what’s the point of any of this if said shows/movies are not even permitted to be viewed in our jurisdiction without a VPN? SMH, bunch of clowns.
Hey dipstick, that was done before and it closed down. Not paying my money for your film commissioner. Who you already got lined up jonjon🤑 Have some good film titles lined up, not printable 🤪
This is exactly what it is all about, self, right there in writing in the face, along with designer handbags, New York parks blah blah = Narcissism!
Big shout out to vomit!
🤣🤣🤣🤣👻💀🤪🫨🥵🥸😵💫🥹😈👽🤡