A FILMMAKER from Oxford will be the first director to benefit from a new incentive programme in Thailand.
Vicky Jewson, who was born in Oxford, began shooting her action film, Close, in the East Asian country last month.
The movie – which centres on elite female bodyguards who offer ‘close’ protection to the rich and famous – will benefit from a new scheme introduced by the Thailand Film Office.
Launched in January, the new incentives offer a 15 to 20 per cent rebate for qualifying productions with a local spend of more than $1.4m
Several locations were considered for the film, but Ms Jewson was persuaded to shoot in Thailand.
Speaking to a film magazine, the director said: “I was aware of a number of productions that have shot in Thailand, but I truly wasn’t aware of the depth of film experience and the sophistication of the infrastructure.”
Close will be produced produced by London and Oxford-based Jewson Film/Whitaker Media.
The company was founded by Ms Jewson and Rupert Whitaker to produce films with female protagonists.
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