Gujarat Cinematic Tourism Policy 2022

The Cinematic Tourism Policy 2022 (2022–2027) is Gujarat's first policy framework dedicated to utilizing cinema as a driver for the tourism economy and private investment. Notified by the Industries & Mines Department and implemented via the Film Facilitation Cell (FFC) of the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL), the policy offers a 25% base incentive on eligible production costs incurred in Gujarat (up to ₹2.50 Crore per feature film), alongside dedicated incentives for brand-affiliated films, web series/OTT, TV serials, documentaries, mega film events, and large-scale film-infrastructure projects.

Vision & Mission

• •Vision: To establish Gujarat as the leading state in general Tourism and Cinematic Tourism.
• •Mission: To promote and develop a world-class ecosystem for film-production industries in the state, stimulating the local economy through screen locations.

Objectives

• •Showcase destination Gujarat to national and international travelers through cinematic tourism.
• •Promote the art, culture, and heritage of Gujarat globally through motion pictures.
• •Attract private investments to develop film-production infrastructure like Film Cities, studios, and processing labs.
• •Promote technical innovations in filmmaking, editing, post-production, and animation.
• •Enhance employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for Gujarati youth in creative industries.

Three Pillars of the Strategy

Categories Covered under the Policy

Key Threshold Definitions

• •Brand-Affiliated Film: A film promoting the Gujarat Tourism brand or state locations through on-screen subtitles/visuals of locations, spiritual sites, or places of interest.
• •Film City: Integrated facility on a minimum of 30 acres, with a minimum investment of ₹100 Crore (excluding land cost), putting ≥60% of funds into production infrastructure.
• •Film/TV Studio: Minimum of 10 acres, with a minimum investment of ₹50 Crore (excluding land), having ≥60% in production infrastructure.
• •Film Training Institute & Post-production Labs: Minimum investment of ₹25 Crore (excluding land).
• •Prestigious Project: Any project with a budget/investment of ₹100 Crore or above in film production or infrastructure.

A. Feature & Brand-Affiliated Films (All Languages)

Eligible projects receive a subsidy equal to 25% of eligible expenses of production in Gujarat, capped based on the sequence of films produced in the state by the production house:

B. Prestigious Film Projects

Subsidy at 25% of eligible production costs in Gujarat is provided to the first three films on a First-Come-First-Serve basis each year. Projects must shoot for at least 45 days in Gujarat (or ₹5 Crore cost), showcase min. 5 destinations, and employ at least 5 local artists.

C. Web Series & TV Serials

Subsidy equal to 25% of eligible production costs in Gujarat, capped as follows:

D. Documentary Films & Mega Film Events

• •Documentary Films: 25% of eligible production costs in Gujarat or ₹25 Lakh, whichever is lower. Requires a min. cost of ₹50 Lakh, 7 shooting days in the state, and a minimum 30-minute running time.
• •Mega Film Events: 20% of eligible expenditure in Gujarat, capped at a maximum of ₹25 Crore. Requires a minimum event expenditure of ₹10 Crore in the state and prior approval of the State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC).

Capital Subsidy on Film-Infrastructure Investment (Excluding Land)

• •Registration & Stamp Duty: 100% reimbursement of stamp duty and registration fees paid for lease or transfer of land and office space.
• •Land on Lease: For projects with investment value >₹500 Crore, government land may be provided on lease (30 acres for ₹501 Crore investment, plus 1 acre for every additional ₹20 Crore, up to a maximum of 100 acres).

Film Facilitation Cell (FFC) Services

• •Single-Window Permissions: Coordinated online portal for all departmental permissions, bookings, and clearances.
• •Accommodation Concessions: Production cast & crew receive up to 50% discount on lodging at TCGL-owned hotels during shooting (requires MD TCGL approval).
• •Security & Logistics: FFC assists in police security coordination (requires 3 weeks' notice) and processing excise permits.

General Compliance Conditions

• •Filing Window: Incentive applications must be completed and submitted within 180 days of the project's first public release (extendable by 30 days).
• •Payment Mode: Only bank transactions supported by beneficiary name, GSTIN, and PAN details are counted. Cash payments are ineligible.
• •No Double-Dipping: Projects claiming incentives under this policy cannot claim subsidies under any other policy of the Government of Gujarat.
• •Clawback: If a subsidy is obtained via fraud or misrepresentation, the applicant must refund the entire amount within 15 days of a notice served.

Eligible Production Expenses in Gujarat

The following expenses paid to Gujarat-registered entities or spent within the state are eligible for the 25% subsidy computation:

• •Charges paid to Gujarati actors and local technical/production units.
• •Song/music recording, mixing, choreography, and fight coordination in local studios.
• •Post-production charges (editing, sound design, VFX, DI, and color grading).
• •Equipment hired, hard drives purchased, and location/studio rentals paid in Gujarat.
• •Set construction, design supervision, local travel, freight, and hotel rent.

1. 1Portal Registration: Register the production house and project on TCGL's online single-window shooting portal.
2. 2Secure Shoot Clearances: Apply for departmental shoot approvals, security clearances, and accommodation bookings via the Film Facilitation Cell (FFC).
3. 3Content Review: The Content & Quality Committee screens the script/subject for suitability. Documentaries, prestigious projects, and mega events must obtain prior SLIC/SLEC approvals.
4. 4Execute the Shoot: Complete the minimum shooting-days or local expenditure thresholds, displaying the Gujarat Tourism Logo and location names in the prologue.
5. 5File Incentive Claim: Submit the audited cost statement, list of bank transactions, CBFC certificate, and release proof within 180 days of public release.
6. 6Scrutiny & Sanction: The State Level Implementation Committee (SLIC) reviews and approves claims for projects under ₹500 Crore. SLEC approves projects above ₹500 Crore and mega events.
7. 7Receive Disbursement: The final subsidy amount is disbursed upon verification of screening details and commercial release.