Ja: Film industry thriving

JAMAICA'S FILM industry doubled its earnings in 2003, realising $858 million from a wide variety of film projects, music videos, and even a reality series shot on location here.

According to figures released by Jamaica Promotions Co-orporation (JAMPRO), the Government's investment and promotion agency, the money was earned from location filming by overseas interests and represents more than 100 per cent increase over the almost $400 million earned in 2002. This figure does not include local films, music videos or shoots.

"A lot of Jamaicans benefit when foreign companies come here to shoot to take advantage of our wonderful natural scenery. Hotels, restaurants, production companies, customs brokers, airlines ... there are a lot of spin-offs involved," said Del Crooks, JAMPRO's film commissioner.

There have been several recent breakthroughs for the country's growing film industry such as the FOX TV show Forever Eden, which was shot on location in Portland.