The role of Croatia in Hollywood films at risk after the price of Trump's film

President Donald Trump announced a 100% rate on all films produced outside the United States, aroused concern in the international film industry – including in Croatia.

Publishing on his social platform Truth on Sunday, Trump said that this decision is a response to what he described as the “very rapid death” of the American cinema industry, blaming the foreign nations for having attracted American productions by generous incentives.

“The film industry in America is dying. Very fast dead,” he wrote. “Other countries offer all kinds of incentives to keep our filmmakers and studios from the United States away …

Consequently, I authorize the Ministry of Commerce and the representative of the United States to immediately start the institute process a 100% tariff on all films in our country which is produced in foreign land. We want films made in America, once again!

The solid history of Croatia

Croatia has long been a magnet for international productions, thanks to its natural beauty, its historic architecture and its incentive program supported by the government offering cash discounts for filming in less developed regions.

Between 2012 and 2019, Croatia won around 134.3 million euros in foreign film productions, while film tourism was linked to Game of Thrones Only brought around 180.7 million euros in the Croatian economy from 2013 to 2018.

The main American productions that have benefited from filming places and Croatian incentives include:

• Star Wars: the last Jedi (2017)Filmed in Dubrovnik

• Mamma Mia! Here we go again (2018)Filmed on the island of Vis

• The unbearable weight of massive talents (2022)With Nicolas Cage, filmed in Dubrovnik and the surrounding area

• HBO Succession And Game of ThronesFilmed largely in Dubrovnik, Split and Šibenik

Other notable titles include Robin Hood (2018), Hitman's wife's bodyguard (2021), Weekend (2022), and Happiness (2021), all supported by the United States and filmed in Croatia.

What could the price mean?

If applied, the 100% price offered by Trump could mean higher costs for the distribution of films made in Croatia for the American public, which has potentially discouraging American studios from shooting abroad – including Croatia.

Colin Firth on screws in Mamma Mia 2 (screenshot)

This could have an impact directly on production service providers in Croatia, local teams and tourist businesses who benefit from trips related to the film.

The country's film tourism sector, particularly popular among fans of Game of ThronesCan also face challenges if less international superproductions choose Croatia as a backdrop.

Owen Wilson at the Game of Thrones Museum in Split (Photo: Luka Galić)

Although it remains to be seen how and when the price would be implemented – or if it could face legal challenges – the announcement has already sent undulations to the world film community.

For the moment, industry professionals in Croatia and elsewhere will watch closely to see how US trade policy under Trump could reshape the international cinema landscape.