Subsidy Programme for Cinematographic and Television Filming in Macao
Application period: 6th of February to 29th of November 2024
Objective
The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) has launched this Subsidy Programme according to the stipulations of Regulation of Granting Financial Support for Cultural Development Fund to encourage and attract them to set their scenes in Macao. In this manner, local film and TV production enterprises will be exposed to opportunities for engagement in the shooting of film and television productions, thereby enriching the knowledge and experience of local practitioners as well as creating local job opportunities. In addition to promoting the image of the Macao SAR, it will also enhance the city's international reputation and invigorate the synchronisation between cultural creativity and tourism.
Application period
2.1
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Application will be accepted from 9 a.m. on 6th of February to 5:30 p.m. on 29th of November, 2024. The application period may end early when the budget for this subsidy programme is exhausted, which will be announced on CDF website. |
Scope of funding
3.1
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Excluding animation, any film and TV production to be filmed in Macao that meet the duration outlined below could file one application for different episodes in the same season:
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3.2
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Foreign film and TV project that shoots in Macao under the guidance of overseas shooting team (in this case the foreign team needs to join the shooting in Macao). |
Requirements for funding
4.1
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In terms of filming:
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Application eligibility and target beneficiary
5.1
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The applicant should be a filmmaking unit in Macao for “overseas film and television project” (responsible for shooting coordination in Macao and budget execution) and meet the following criteria:
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Type of financial support
6.1
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Subsidy. |
Total budget, subsidised quota cap and maximum subsidy amount of this subsidy programme
7.1
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Total budget of this subsidy programme: 24 million patacas. |
7.2
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Subsidised quota: No cap, but with periodical review, and the number of subsidised projects finally approved will be limited by the aforesaid total budget of this subsidy programme. |
7.3
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Subsidy: The subsidised quota will be capped at 40% of the estimated expenditure for filming set in Macao (total amount outlined in points 8.1 and 8.2), with a maximum of 2 million patacas. |
7.4
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The subsidy amount will be adjusted according to actual expenditure of filming set in Macao (please refer to point 9 Adjustment of subsidy for details). |
Scope of subsidised and non-subsidised expenditure
8.1
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Expenditures eligible for subsidy and counted towards estimated expenditure include project-related expenses within the funding period:
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8.2
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Project expenditures not eligible for subsidy but counted towards estimated expenditure include:
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8.3
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Expenses indicated in point 8.1 and point 8.2 can be considered as estimated expenditures for filming set in Macao, while other expenses, including the cost of services or products provided by the applicant, are excluded from the estimated expenditures. |
Adjustment of subsidy
9.1
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If the actual expenditure of the subsidised project, for filming set in Macao, at the time of conclusion is lower than the estimated expenditure, the amount of subsidy granted will be reduced on a pro rata basis as follows: [(estimated expenditure-actual expenditure)/estimated expenditure]. |
Funding period
10.1
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The funding period lasts 36 months, with the date count either starting from the next day after confirming the submission of the application online at the earliest, or from the first day in the following month after signing the agreement at the latest. The definite date should be designated under the negotiation of the Fund and the beneficiary. |
10.2
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Upon prior application by the beneficiary with rational justification during the funding period, the Administrative Council of the Fund may grant one or multiple extensions on the funding period, provided that the aggregate extended period shall not exceed half of the original funding period. |
Guarantee
11.1
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Should the applicant be a company entrepreneur (corporate body), the leading shareholders needs to present a credit guarantee to guarantee the applicant's debt stemming from restoration or restitution of subsidy (for instance, withdrawal of subsidy, or the actual expenditure of the project is lower than the estimated expenditure). |
11.2
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Both the beneficiary and guarantor shall sign the promissory note and declaration of responsibility for the project. |
Application
12.1
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Applicant should log in to CDF's online application system with a physical user account of Macao Public Service One Account (“Macao One Account”), fill out an application form and upload the following documents:
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12.2
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Applicant needs to ensure the accuracy of the information submitted and the uploaded documents, and pre-fill the information of the physical materials to be submitted due to the impossibility of electronic submission. The information cannot be changed once the submission of the application is confirmed online. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12.3
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Before the closing date of the application (5:30pm on 29th of November, 2024), applicants must visit the Fund personally to submit the physical materials which their written descriptions have been submitted online in advance as mentioned in point 12.2. The Fund does not accept any application documents or materials that are not pre-filled in the online system. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12.4
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Language used in the application: Chinese, Portuguese or English. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12.5
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Rules and notes on application:
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Preliminary analysis
13.1
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Preliminary analysis will be conducted based on the application package for verification of the candidate's qualification, the completeness of documents submitted according to point 12, and the eligibility of application for granting the subsidy (requirements outlined in point 3 Scope of funding, 4 Requirements for funding and 5 Application eligibility and target beneficiary). | ||||||||||||||||||||||
13.2
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Should the application package not meet the requirements outlined in the previous point, the Fund may require the applicant to submit supplementary documents, limited to those outlined in points 12.1.1 to 12.1.7 only, within 5 days. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
13.3
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Should the application not meet the requisites of granting the subsidy, or the applicant not provide supplementary documents within the timeframe outlined in the previous point, or the supplementary documents provided still not meet the requirements, the Administrative Council of the Fund shall then reject the application. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
13.4
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Should any of the following circumstances occur after the preliminary analysis, the FDC could reject the application and not proceed to the review process:
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13.5
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Should there be no objection to the application, the Administrative Council of the Fund will send the application package to the Activity and Project Assessment Committee for review. |
Review
14.1
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Three to seven experts from the expert list of the film and TV, academics and commercial sectors will be invited to be the members of the Activity and Project Assessment Committee by the chairperson of the Administrative Council according to the nature of the project that needs to be reviewed. | ||||||||
14.2
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Meeting of the Activity and Project Assessment Committee could only be held when more than half of the total number of members is present, and minutes need to be taken with the record of review results and important matters in the meeting. | ||||||||
14.3
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The representative of the applicant shall attend the review meeting to introduce the content of the proposed project and answer the questions raised by the review panel. If the applicant cannot attend the meeting due to a rational justification, a document review will be conducted based on the submitted documents, or the application will be considered abstained. | ||||||||
14.4
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The Activity and Project Assessment Committee will rate according to the following assessment criteria:
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14.5
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If the visiting camera crew is an entity legally established in a foreign country, extra points, up to 10 points, may be granted to the proposed project. | ||||||||
14.6
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An application will be considered passed with a score of no less than 60. | ||||||||
14.7
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A decision will be made by the granting entity after fully considering the following opinions and records:
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14.8
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The amount of the approved subsidy depends on the budget scale and assessment score of the proposed project. | ||||||||
14.9
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Due to budgetary constraints, the granting entity may decide not to approve subsidy for a proposed activity/project. |
Agreement
15.1
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An agreement containing the content of the grant decision must be signed between the Fund and the beneficiary. |
15.2
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Consequences of failure to sign the Agreement: If the beneficiary fails to sign the Agreement on the date, at the time and at the place specified by the Fund, the approval shall become invalid, unless the failure is due to force majeure or for reasons which, in the opinion of the Administrative Committee of the Fund, are not attributable to the beneficiary. |
Changes to project content
16.1
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Forasmuch as the changes do not involve deviation from the core of the project, for example, changes in the plan of creation including filming techniques, script content (not involving changes in the “synopsis”), non-key members, etc., the beneficiary can make flexible adjustments according to the actual situation, and provide explanation when submitting the report. | ||||||||
16.2
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Should the change of the project content involve the following circumstances, the beneficiary must submit an application for prior approval by the Fund:
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16.3
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The Fund does not accept changes to the type of film. |
Submission of progress report, summary report and report on the implementation of agreed procedures
17.1
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The beneficiary must inform the Fund in writing of the certified public accountants, accounting firms, and accountants who can provide accounting and taxation services for the project within 60 days from the day after signing the agreement and submitting the relevant Engagement Letter. | ||||||||
17.2
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The beneficiary is required to submit the following reports on time and in the specified format during the funding period:
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17.3
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The format of the Engagement Letter referred to in point 17.1 and the report on the implementation of agreed procedures referred to in point 17.2.2 must comply with the “Instructions for the Inspection of Subsidised Activities or Projects” (No.001/GPSAP/AF/2023) issued by DSGAP. | ||||||||
17.4
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Supporting documents attached to the report: When submitting the project progress report and summary report, the beneficiary is required to attach supporting documents, including but not limited to the following:
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17.5
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Application for delay in report submission: If the report cannot be submitted within the period specified in point 17.2 due to force majeure or other reasons not attributable to the beneficiary, the beneficiary shall notify the Fund within 7 working days from the date of occurrence of the relevant fact. | ||||||||
17.6
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In the aforementioned cases, subject to the approval of the Administrative Council of the Fund, the period for submitting the report shall be within 30 days from the day following the disappearance of the abovementioned reasons, without prejudice to the application of the following provisions. | ||||||||
17.7
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In exceptional and justified cases, the Administrative Council of the Fund may approve one extension of period, as mentioned in point 17.2, but not exceeding 90 days. | ||||||||
17.8
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Should the Fund deem the documents unclear, the beneficiary will have to submit supplementary documents for explanation within the period specified by the Fund. If the supplementary documents are not submitted before the due date, the Fund will continue to process based on the existing documents. |
Recognition of expenditure
18.1
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Purposes and mandatory nature of expenditure recognition: To ascertain that the actual expenditure incurred by the beneficiary in respect of the subsidised activities and projects abides by the permissible scope as set out in this Regulation, the expenditure shall be recognised by the Fund. | ||||||||||||||||
18.2
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Method of recognition: Proceed in the form of reimbursement through the submission of the report on the implementation of the agreed procedures by the beneficiary. The beneficiary shall keep receipts for inspection by the Fund, if necessary, in accordance with point 21.1.9. | ||||||||||||||||
18.3
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Requirements on receipts:
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Transactions with related parties
19.1
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When the applicant intends to purchase goods or services from suppliers that fall under any of the following circumstances, the name of the transaction party, the relationship with the applicant, and the content of the expected transaction must be disclosed in advance in the application documents:
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19.2
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For the related party transactions mentioned in the preceding point, the applicant must state in the summary report and provide the contact information of the trading parties if the applicant is provided with an expenditure totaling 100,000 patacas or more for services or goods by the same supplier, whether or not the subsidy from the Fund is used. | ||||||||
19.3
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In the event of the circumstance to be stated as mentioned in the preceding point and the subsidy from the Fund is used to pay the expenditure incurred by the related supplier as mentioned in point 19.1, the beneficiary must provide supporting documents to prove that additional quotations have been made in advance to at least two other suppliers with no affiliation with the applicant (i.e. suppliers other than those mentioned in point 19.1), and that the Fund will use the lowest price quote as the upper limit for expenditure in case of the failure to submit the relevant proof will result in the expenditure not being reimbursed from the Fund. |
Subsidy distribution methods
20.1
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Subsidy will be distributed according to the following proportion:
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Beneficiary obligations
21.1
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Beneficiary must fulfil the following obligations:
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21.2
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Projects subsidised by the Fund shall not receive financial support from other public departments or public entities in Macao. |
Termination of operation or failure to complete activities and projects
22.1
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In case of any of the following, the Fund may approve the beneficiary's application for termination of the implementation of the activity/project during the funding period:
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22.2
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If the application referred to in point 22.1 is not approved, and the beneficiary does not continue to implement the relevant activities and projects, the Fund shall withdraw the subsidy. | ||||
22.3
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In the case mentioned in point 22.1.1, the beneficiary shall submit a summary report within the period specified by the Fund for the purpose of the closure process. | ||||
22.4
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In the case mentioned in point 22.1.2, the beneficiary shall, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the notification on approval of the application, return in full the subsidy it has collected, otherwise, the Fund will make a compulsory withdrawal and reject all subsidy applications made by the beneficiary within two years from the date of expiration of the return period. | ||||
22.5
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If the beneficiary fails to complete the activity/project due to force majeure or reasons confirmed by the Fund that are not attributable to the beneficiary at the end of the funding period, the Fund shall proceed to the closure procedure. If the reason is not approved by the Fund, the subsidy shall be withdrawn. |
Withdrawal of subsidy
23.1
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Circumstances leading to compulsory withdrawal of subsidy by the Fund:
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23.2
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Circumstances leading to possible withdrawal of subsidy by the Fund:
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23.3
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Consequences of withdrawal of subsidy:
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23.4
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Consequences of failure to return the subsidy mentioned above:
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Consequence of late submission of reports — Subsidy deductions
24.1
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If a beneficiary is late in submitting reports, the Fund may make the following deductions from the subsidy:
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Others
25.1
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The Fund only provides subsidy for the subsidised project and does not participate in any commercial activities or business decisions of the beneficiary. All decisions, activities, statements, etc. made by the beneficiary in relation to the project or otherwise do not represent the stance of the Fund. | |||
25.2
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The beneficiary must abide by the laws of the Macao SAR, mainland China and other countries and regions. If any activities or decisions made by the beneficiary lead to civil, criminal or administrative liabilities in violation of the laws of the Macao SAR, mainland China or other countries and regions, the beneficiary shall assume their own responsibilities. | |||
25.3
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The beneficiary shall apply to relevant departments (including the Macao SAR and overseas) and obtain types of licenses and permits necessary for the project; | |||
25.4
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By participating in this programme, the applicants are deemed to have read, understood and agreed to abide by all terms and conditions of this Regulation without objection. | |||
25.5
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Matters not mentioned in this Regulation will be regulated by the current laws and regulations applicable to the Macao Special Administrative Region, especially the Administrative Regulation No. 40/2021 “Organisation and Operation of the Cultural Development Fund”, the Administrative Regulation No. 18/2022 “Public Financial Aid System of the Macao Special Administrative Region”, No. 5/2023 “Regulations on Funds Granted by the Cultural Development Fund”, approved by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, and other relevant regulations on the subsidy of Cultural Development Fund. | |||
25.6
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The Fund has the final right of interpretation and decision on this Regulation. | |||
25.7
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For enquiries:
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Only available in Chinese and Portuguese