Cayman News Agency: Ministry plans more TV and film shoots in Cayman

(CNS): The Ministry of Tourism and Ports (MOTP) has created a new government position of Film Commissioner to promote the Cayman Islands as a “preferred location for film, television and media productions.” The move is riding on the momentum of the recent reality TV show Grand Cayman: Secrets of Paradise“, according to a release from the ministry.

The Ministry of Tourism said the purpose of creating the new position at the Ministry of Tourism is to “provide greater opportunities for the people of Cayman through the continued development of the thriving local film and television industry.”

according to Cayman Islands Government Careers Portalthe Film Commissioner will receive an annual salary of between 64,056 and 84,036 Cayman Islands dollars and will serve as a “logistics, support and operations agent” for the DoT to “facilitate the operations of the Cayman Islands Film Commission (CIFC).” The successful candidate will serve as the primary liaison between the CIFC, CIG, private sector stakeholders and international clients.

A release from the ministry said the film commissioner will be responsible for promoting the Cayman Islands as a top destination for production companies and studios, liaising with film or television projects approved to shoot on the islands and coordinating the newly launched Production Incentive Scheme, which offers rebates of up to 35 per cent on qualifying on-island expenditures.

“Riding the momentum of several international feature films and the recent HULU/Freeform/Disney+ series, Grand Cayman: Secrets of Paradisethe Cayman Islands International Film Festival is working with the international film and television community to leverage the Cayman Islands as a location for premium filmmaking, to promote and market our country through the unique exposure that international productions bring,” the ministry said.

The ministry said that in recent years, the CIFC has been chaired by Caymanian filmmaker, film director and screenwriter Frank E. Flowers, who also co-wrote the film Bob Marley: One Lovehas assisted in the production of more than 20 films and television shows that have contributed millions of dollars to the local economy and provided professional employment and practical training for Caymanians in the field.

“CIFC’s efforts have also resulted in unique, physical, high-value marketing exposure for our islands, including appearances on The Kelly Clarkson Show, premium billboards in Times Square in New York and Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, and extensive marketing across social media and streaming service platforms,” the release stated. “CIFC has been actively promoting Cayman Airways’ LAX-San Francisco Bay Area nonstop service to influential members of the Hollywood entertainment industry, as well as cultivating relationships with New York and the United Kingdom.”

The CIFC said it “looks forward to the selected individuals working together to develop the Cayman Islands as the ‘go-to’ location for the international creative community and to develop Caymanian talent to provide viable opportunities in the competitive industry”.