Renowned British director Sir Carol Reed called Sri Lanka “the most natural and complete outdoor set” during his time shooting Outcast of the Islands in 1951.
Over the years, iconic academy awarded movies have been shot in Sri Lanka including The Bridge on the River Kwai, Indiana Jones and Water, as well as Midnight’s Children, an adaptation of Salmon Rushdie’s novel, and Monkey Kingdom from Disney Nature. More recently was the Covert Affairs hit series in the USA and Europe, produced by Doug Liman, who also directed the Bourne Identity, for which Sri Lankan locations were used in their true forms. The production of Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet and Uberto Pasolini’s Machan filmed in Sri Lanka, showcased the technical competency, professionalism and creativity of the Sri Lankan set designers and art directors who brought to life period landscape and slum dwellings respectively.
7 Reasons Why You Should Shoot in Sri Lanka
1. Unique Location
From arid landscapes to forgotten corridors, misty mountains to golden beaches, one tiny island can create new worlds for the world of filmmaking. We really do have it all on our miracle of a little island and we deliver quality work with passion.
2. Culture and History
Sri Lanka’s 2500 year culture offers historic destinations and several UNESCO world heritage sites, such as the Galle Fort, the Sigiriya rock fortress and the Sacred City of Kandy, which have significant historic, multi religious and cultural associations.
3. Ease of Doing Business
A key incentive is the ease of doing business in Sri Lanka, with flexible working arrangements, no language barrier, and a stable and supportive private and state system.
4. Infrastructure
Sri Lanka’s infrastructure is well set to facilitate the smooth operation of the film production process from start to finish.
5. Cost Effective
Sri Lanka offers all this for a fraction of the cost of producing a film in most international destinations and is competitive within the region.
6. Special Incentives
An attractive tax rebate is offered for films produced in Sri Lanka, together with other special benefits and incentives for a minimum investment in the country.
7. Expertise
Through Film Island, Sri Lanka has the know-how, with qualified, experienced, committed and passionate personnel, to manage and flawlessly execute, meeting global standards and technology requirements.