Mexico

Mexico remains a popular destination with filmmakers citing a favourable cost base, robust infrastructure, experienced crew, wide biodiversity and urban development as its key draws. International shoots can benefit from the Latin American country's Eficine tax stimulus in support of feature production, post-production and distribution (there are two submission calls a year), although the allocation is limited to $1.03m (MxN20m). 

In 2023, the state of Jalisco, home to capital Guadalajara, launched a 20% cash rebate scheme. Sources in the Mexican film industry expect more states will follow with programmes of their own, while the hope is that lawmakers will consider a national incentive. Besides Jalisco, the last two years has seen an increase in production outside Mexico City in states like Baja California, Oaxaca and Veracruz, with the likes of Netflix's Toronto 2024 world premiere Pedro Páramo, comedy Snakes And Ladders and mystery series Bandidos. 

Under the administration of former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the public funding mechanism received a major overhaul. Out went the broadly appreciated Foprocine and Fidecine funds backing auteur and higher-budget commercial fare; in their place came the Focine fund to support production, exhibition and film conservation.

According to national film body Imcine, Mexico has produced an average of 250 films annually since 2021 and more than half have received public funding. Focine has supported 57 exhibition spaces and 50 film collections. 

Zapotec filmmaker Angeles Cruz, from Oaxaca, made 2023's Valentina Or The Serenity with backing from the ECAMC stimulus for Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, before applying for Focine support. Critics say that because a specific annual allocation under Focine is not written into law, its support can be somewhat random, which has created uncertainty. 

President Claudia Sheinbaum, who was an Obrador ally in the Morena party, was sworn in on October 1, and the industry expects the support system to remain in place. There are hopes Eficine will be increased. Most larger productions do not access the Focine fund although many benefit from the Eficine tax break. Imcine officers say Eficine has made 497 allocations for feature production and distribution since 2019. 

Lionsgate shot Saw X in Mexico City from October 2022 to February 2023, while Capstone Global is scouting for locations on a new project after filming John Woo's Silent Night in Mexico City in 2022. "Cost-wise, it's fantastic," says Capstone head Christian Mercuri. "There's no rebate, really, but the cost per day is important. The crews are solid and it's a beautiful country."

Netflix, which established a hub in Mexico City several years ago, has been prolific. At time of writing the streamer was about to debut boyband comeback comedy Technoboys, while Rodrigo Gar-cia's drama Las Locuras and Kate del Castillo comedy The Biggest Fan filmed in 2024. There were also recent shoots for Mariana Chenillos Los Dos Hemisferios De Lucca and comedy drama Down The Rabbit Hole from Manolo Caro, creator of Netflix series The House Of Flowers. 

In the past year or so Sony Pictures International Productions filmed the family comedy Caras Vemos and supernatural horror Turno Nocturno. Amazon MGM Studios filmed a feature in the capital recently although it has kept details under wraps. Mexico's world-class crews and a deep base continue to attract business and reduce the need for productions to pay large amounts to bring in their own.

First contact: Diana Alvarez Segoviano, Mexican Film Commission: diana.segoviano@imcine.gob.mx

comefilm.contacto@imcine.gob.mx

Mexico boasts a stunning array of locations, from historical sites to modern cities, lakes to beautiful beaches, and plenty of sites that can be taken over by productions. 

Mexico City is the country’s production hub and its greater metropolitan region is home to some 20 million people. The capital offers a broad range of modern and historic architecture that gives producers a lot of options within a manageable distance of each other.

Jacaranda Films' executive producer Rémi Noiriel says: "Mexico provides filmmakers with a wide variety of locations, ranging from deserts and mountains to rainforests and over 11,100 km of coastline. Mexico City features diverse neighborhoods and architectural styles making it a great destination for urban locations. The country's skilled technicians and advanced equipment guarantee high-quality productions. This makes Mexico an ideal year-round filming destination, offering a great alternative for clients looking to avoid winter and capture a summer look."

The opening sequence of Bond film, Spectre, was filmed in Mexico City’s Zócalo, a grand square in the megalopolis’s downtown zone, while Sicario 2: Soldado took advantage of some of the city’s neighbourhoods, as did Cuaron’s Roma.

There are also two studios available, Gabriel García Márquez, which offers six sound stages and post-production facilities, and Churubusco Azteca with eight stages. Guadalajara is also growing in popularity. It offers great animation and post-production services. Guillermo del Toro filmed part of his Pinocchio in the city.  

Mexico has nearly 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which is the highest number of any country in the Americas. The majority are of cultural significance and are clustered in central Mexico City. They include the Zocalo, or main plaza, which is the largest space of its type in the whole of Latin America. Other UNESCO sites include the biosphere reserve Sian Ka’an in the state of Quintana Roo in the far south-east of the country.

Playing double

For commercials, Mexico is a favourite destination for shoots that need to be 'tropicalised' for Latin America. Those looking to shoot jungle scenes should head to Veracruz and Chiapas, which is where the film Apocalypto was shot. While productions aiming for a Western (as in Old West) look could film in Durango, which has sets ready to use.

Mexico also offers a lot of locations that can double for Spanish, French or Italian towns, even small German or Northern European villages. Plus, locations that can double for US locales, especially California.

Location location location

Mexico is a country with a rich and diverse natural and cultural landscape, making it a popular destination for filmmakers, commercial producers, and photographers. Baklight's Herrera lists some of the top locations in Mexico:

• Beaches: Mexico is home to some of the world's most beautiful beaches, with crystal-clear waters, white sand, and tropical landscapes. The popular tourist destinations of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Los Cabos are just a few of the many beautiful beach locations in Mexico.
• Mountains: Mexico is also home to a number of stunning mountain ranges, including the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental. These mountain ranges offer breathtaking views, as well as opportunities for outdoor adventure and recreation.
• Coastal regions: The Pacific and Gulf coasts of Mexico offer rugged and diverse shorelines, from rocky cliffs to sandy beaches. These coastal regions are popular for water sports, as well as for their natural beauty and wildlife.
• Architecture: Mexico is home to a rich cultural heritage, with a wealth of historic and contemporary architecture, including colonial-era cities like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, as well as modern cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara.
• Wildlife: Mexico is home to a rich and diverse array of wildlife, including species like jaguars, sea turtles, and various species of bird and marine life. These species can be found in a range of habitats, from tropical forests to deserts to coastal ecosystems.
• Demographics: Mexico is a culturally rich and diverse country, with a mix of indigenous, European, and Afro-Mexican populations. This demographic diversity provides a wealth of opportunities for filmmakers and photographers looking to capture the essence of Mexican culture in their work.

Untapped filming locations

Mexico has a vast array of untapped and underutilised filming locations, ranging from modern cities to remote natural landscapes, such as:

• The Copper Canyon: A group of six canyons in the Sierra Madre Occidental, with rugged, untouched beauty that makes for a unique and breathtaking filming location.
  The Yucatan Peninsula: A peninsula that's home to a variety of landscapes, including jungles, cenotes (sinkholes filled with crystal clear water), and ancient ruins like Chichen Itza.
• San Miguel de Allende: A colonial city with well-preserved architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and vibrant cultural life, it's often considered one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico.
• The Gulf of California: Known for its stunning marine life and diverse landscapes, this region offers a variety of filming opportunities, from underwater scenes to deserts and mountainous terrain.
• The Baja California Peninsula: A desert peninsula with rugged coastline, secluded beaches, and unique rock formations that could provide a distinctive look for any film production.

Getting permission to shoot at these locations is generally easy if you follow Mexican Film Commission requirements. There is also a network of regional commissions throughout the country.

In the few states where there are no local film commissions, or they are brand new and still not working at full speed, it is especially important to have a local company on the ground to get the permits from the police, and municipal authorities.

It’s worth noting that for shooting at archaeological sites it can take up to a month to get a permit. Mexico plays host to several climates that have individual weather patterns throughout the year, although you can find year-round warmth and sunshine in specific regions.

Mexico’s renowned crew base brings vast experience from international and Hollywood productions and local projects. Netflix has situated its Latin American headquarters in Mexico City, and a little over an hour’s flight from Los Angeles is Baja Studios, where Titanic was shot, one of several world-class facilities. Mexico’s world-class crews and a deep base continue to attract business and reduce the need for productions to pay large amounts bringing in their own crews.

Berkana Production directors add that Mexican talent has also world recognition and is very versatile, and you can find different accents and ethnicities.

Mexico is large, approximately one fifth the size of the US, and has more than 7,200 miles of coastline. Mexico City International Airport is a major regional hub with flights to Los Angeles (four hours) and New York (five hours), while travellers can reach western Europe in 11-13 hours. The new Felipe Angeles International Airport has increased infrastructure capacity. Cancun, Guadalajara and Los Cabos also have regional airports. 

Jacaranda Films' executive producer Rémi Noiriel adds: "With a favorable exchange rate, Mexico allows budget-friendly shoots. Additionaly, its proximity to the United States enables affordable projects with US-based celebrities who prefer shorter travel times."