Tax Relief Meaures 'Boosting Film And TV Productions In Scotland'
Financial support for the film and television industry is proving a "major boost'' to the number of productions being shot in Scotland, according to the Scottish Secretary.
David Mundell pointed towards two projects currently filming on location in Edinburgh which he said are taking advantage of UK Government tax relief measures.
An adaptation of Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent and a contemporary crime drama by Harry and Jack Williams, One Of Us, both benefitted, he said.
The two productions complete their filming schedule this week, having carried out more than 100 days of shooting around the city during October and November.
The UK Government measures means qualifying projects can claim back 25% on their production costs through a tax credit, allowing that money to be re-invested.
Film or TV projects have to pass a number of tests to qualify, including a points-based cultural test, a threshold on the proportion of production taking place in the UK and must be intended for theatrical release or broadcast.
Mr Mundell said: "The UK's support for our creative industries is helping production companies as they invest in new films and TV drama.
"It is great to see Edinburgh being used as a location for these projects.
"The Government's tax relief scheme has already supported over 200 films with £8 billion production expenditure. It is good for the sector and proving excellent for Scotland.''
Rosie Ellison, film manager for Film Edinburgh, said: "2015 has so far been a bumper year for filming in the Edinburgh region, with location shoots and filming inquires up on the same period last year. It's early days for the new high end TV tax relief, but the initial signs are extremely promising.
"Edinburgh is an incredibly film friendly city and Film Edinburgh works hard with our partners, City of Edinburgh Council and local film talent, to ensure filming is efficient and pain-free for production teams.
"The added incentive of the tax relief further strengthens our city's location appeal to UK and international productions companies and I'm excited to see how this will further develop in 2016.''
Tax relief for video games and theatre productions are also provided and it will be extended to cover orchestras from April next year.