Panama
“A man, a plan, a canal: Panama.” This famous palindrome described Panama to the world in the past. But the years of Panama being recognized around the world as the site of the famous maritime shortcut are long gone.
Filming in Panama
Panama has become a favored location for many reality shows since the format became popular many years ago. Bocas del Toro, Pearl Islands, Pedasi, Chiriquí and many other locations have been used as locations for shows such as Amazing Race (US, Canada, Australia and Finland versions), Survivor (both the original and the franchises), MTV´s The Challenge, which has made Panama its temporary home in three occasions, many Discovery Channel adventure shows, including the latest Save The Raft, NBC´s Deal or No Deal Island (2023/2024), and a slew of YouTuber´s content, amongst them Mr. Beast with five (5) visits in the last few years.
Many countries in the region offer beaches, rainforests, mountains, modern cities and bucolic villages. Panama, aside from all these, also offers a premium no other country in the region can: the fact that it is a recognized air, maritime and communications hub for the region. Literally the Hub of the Americas ©. Panama´s location at the center of the Americas, connects 90+ cities in Europe and America with daily direct non-stop flights. Five percent of all global maritime trade navigates thru here, with weekly services from major US ports as well as south America, Asia and Europe. Big Data zips thru Panama´s intercontinental undersea cable systems allowing for true broadband interconnection. So whatever can´t be sourced locally, it can be transported here…fast. Let´s not forget Panama´s modern international banking system, pegged on the US Dollar, a matter that not only avoids messy currency exchanges, but also guarantees safe and expeditious processing of money transfers.
Locations
Panama´s versatility as a location has been proven widely. The Bond franchise used Panama to play as Bolivia and Haiti in Quantum of Solace. The Suicide Squad used parts of a derelict area of Colon city to be the South American island of Corto Maltese, in Prison Break, Panama plays as itself just as in Contraband. Panama as a location is very versatile and efficient. . Its compact size and modern road infrastructure makes it very easy for productions to move around expeditiously. As an example, one can move from the Atlantic (Caribbean) Ocean to Panama City on the Pacific side, in a little over an hour (82 kms). No wonder we have the fastest transcontinental railroad!
Beaches, deserted islands, mountains, tropical jungle, raging rivers and waterfalls, luxurious houses, barracks, former military bases and a modern and cosmopolitan capital city with all its barrios and urban niches, makes Panama a place for efficient production.
While Panama struggles with the rest of the world on matters of climate change, it proudly is, along with Bhutan and Suriname, one of three carbon negative countries in the world. Verite Producciones, a local leader on environmental production processes, has the only 100% solar studio facility in the country. It also encourages productions to reduce their carbon footprint by eliminating (or minimizing) the use of one-time plastic bottles. Producers are recommended to issue reusable water bottles to the crew, so as to help reduce the accumulation of waste. Other waste reduction methods are being implemented with catering vendors, especially when shooting in remote islands or villages, including composting, biodegradable and recyclable cutlery and china. Panama has laws that protect its flora and fauna and productions are expected to observe these regulations.
Climate
Panama´s privileged geographic position keeps it away from most of the tropical weather associated with the Caribbean: mainly hurricanes. Panama´s weather oscillates between dry and wet… very wet (that´s why they call it the rain-forest!). El Niño, or La Niña aside, Panama´s dry season goes between late December to April. Rains begin in early May and go on, with increasing intensity, up to mid-December (with September and October usually being the wettest months). Down-pours are usually fast and furious, and can easily transform from a dark cloud somber atmosphere to a bright and sunny day (with the accompanying magic hour sunset). Our proximity to the Equator means our days are almost an even 12 hours daylight, vs 12 hours night time. Temperatures oscillate between upper 20´s to mid 30´s Celsius. Humidity percentage in the mid 80´s. These numbers vary throughout the year depending on whether you are in the mountain region or on the coast/islands.
Our Partner
Established in 1993, our Partner is dedicated to high-value advertising, corporate, industrial and television production, as well as Production Services for visiting production companies from abroad.
They have state-of-the-art equipment available locally, along with trained personnel to carry out all types of audiovisual/commercial productions, including, among others, CCTV/IMAG. Whatever can´t be procured locally, it can be easily and rapidly imported.
Our Partners’ international client list includes Bunim-Murray Productions, Discovery Channel, FOX Television, Critical Content, Bright Bay Creative, LLC, Mr. Beast LLC, E! Entertainment, The Today Show, World Race Productions and nearly all local advertising agencies.
They offer the visitor, production services with skilled bilingual personnel for all logistics and technical needs, location scouting, transportation (marine/air/land), legal services and catering amongst others. The recent pandemic trained them on becoming very conscious of the health realities when you bring people from all over the world under one roof. They continue to offer health protocols to keep productions healthy and running. Their legal team is prepared to offer advice and process benefits and incentives offered by Panama´s Film Law 16, enacted in April 2012. This law aims to promote the development of the local film and audiovisual industry, promote the protection and conservation of the Panamanian audiovisual heritage, stimulate audiovisual culture and most important to their clients, establish a special regime that grants incentive and benefits to those who carry out this commercial activity, including a 25% cash back on moneys spent in the country.
Tax Breaks & Incentives
As stated above, Panama offers a 25% cash rebate incentive on a minimum “in country” expenditure of $500,000 USD. Applying for this incentive requires partnering with a local licensed production company that is registered both with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Commerce and Industries. Law 16 also grants the visiting production, customs exemptions plus a one-stop, single window processing of both customs and labor permits. Duty exemption for the temporary internment of all equipment required for the production as well as all legal and bureaucratic paperwork is handled at the Ministry of Commerce and industries, saving the production time and money.
IMPORTANT: All documentation for the Cash Rebate must be prepared and presented by a Certified Public accountant and submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industries by legal counsel following guidelines issued by the local authorities.
Suffice it to say that our Partner provides all the necessary legal and accounting experts who have experience in the handling of these processes.
Notes and local fun facts
- The Panama Film Commission charges $150 per week of production (initiating with Pre-production). This fee can be applied also to the 25% cash back.
- Panama´s time zone -5 GMT
- Local sales tax 7% (on all goods and services)
- Power in Panama is 120v with Edison type plugins (same as USA).
- Must know expression: ¿Qué Xopa? = What´s up?
- Local currency: Balboa 1:1 parity with USD (only available in metal). Dollar bills circulate freely and legally.
- Before you go back home: Drink some “Seco”, “Ron Abuelo” or some local brews, eat some “patacones”, taste and delight on Panamanian coffee, eat a “Mafa”, taste “Pesada de Nance” and have “Chinese breakfast” on any given Sunday.
- Don´t forget to visit the Panama Canal. It never ceases to amaze.
Recent Credits
International Client List: Bunim-Murray Productions, Discovery Channel, FOX Television, Critical Content, Bright Bay Creative, LLC, Mr. Beast LLC, E! Entertainment, The Today Show, World Race Productions and nearly all local advertising agencies.
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