Romania Approves Three-Year Extension of Revamped 30% Cash Rebate Program (EXCLUSIVE)
Romania has officially given a three-year extension to its revamped cash rebate program, the government announced this week during the Transilvania Intl. Film Festival. Under the terms of the new legislation, financing agreements can now be signed through the end of 2029, with payments running through the end of 2031.
The program, which is administered by the Office of Film and Cultural Investments (OFIC), offers a 30% cash rebate on eligible production expenditures incurred in Romania. The annual budget cap stays at €55 million ($63.2 million), with an overall budget of approximately €250 million ($287 million) — of which nearly €180 million ($206.7 million) remains available for new projects, according to the OFIC.
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Since relaunching the cash rebate program in 2024, Romania has drawn over 90 projects representing an estimated €110 million ($126.3 million) in planned local spend, according to the OFIC. Those productions — along with others currently in development for 2027–2029 — now have the legal certainty they need to move forward.
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“Romania has proven it can compete for major international productions — and this extension is our commitment to keeping that promise,” said OFIC director general Valentin Savu. “We have the locations, the crews, the infrastructure and now the legislative runway to make Romania a long-term home for film and television. I genuinely believe the best productions are still to come.”
With its diverse locations, developed infrastructure and skilled and competitively priced crew base, Romania has drawn international productions including Season 1 of hit Netflix series “Wednesday” (pictured), Sony Pictures Television series “Alex Rider” and BBC America’s “Killing Eve.”
The extension to its cash rebate program ensures the country will remain an attractive proposition in the increasingly competitive CEE region, as Romania jockeys alongside countries including Hungary, Czech Republic and Bulgaria for foreign productions.
Along with a 30% cash rebate on local spend, the revamped program offers a fully digitized application and documentation system that its backers say is fast, reliable and transparent, with a full cycle of completed projects that have gone through every stage of the program, from initial registration through to final payment.
Veteran filmmaker and TIFF founder Tudor Giurgiu told Variety that he was “really pleased that despite deep political crisis, our acting government decided to extend the cash rebate scheme,” a move that he said “our industry needed a lot.”
“I recently had meetings in Cannes with French and American producers and they were all cautious when talking about a possible Romanian shoot, mostly because the rebate was not yet extended,” Giurgiu said. “Now I feel there is a more serious and predictable landscape and I’m happy the film office will be able to continue their good work.”
Industry groups, meanwhile, are rallying behind the news.
“This isn’t only about attracting foreign shoots. For Romanian filmmakers, extending the cash rebate program means we can finally plan,” said Andrei Boncea, co-founder of Bucharest-based production company Frame Film and president of the Alliance of Romanian Producers.
“A director developing a project — work that often takes years to mature — now knows that a significant share of its budget will be covered. That certainty changes what we dare to attempt and how far ahead we can think,” he continued. “It also strengthens our hand in European co-productions: Partners are drawn not only by our exceptional talent, but now by the concrete financial weight Romania brings to the table.
“The timing matters. Romanian cinema already carries real prestige abroad, and after years of rebuilding our credibility, international productions are once again looking seriously at Romania,” Boncea added. “Locking the program in through the end of the decade is what turns that momentum into something lasting — significant growth for the whole sector and, I’m convinced, a remarkable slate of Romanian films made with true ambition. The question is no longer whether a filmmaker can afford the film they want to make, but how far they’re prepared to push it.”
The Transilvania Intl. Film Festival runs June 12 – 21.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
