Cyprus has taken another step in bolstering its audiovisual industry with the implementation of the Audiovisual Industry Promotion Plan, widely known as Olivewood. Approved by the Ministry of Finance in August, the scheme is endowed with a total budget of €25 million and will run until the end of July 2027, providing a mix of subsidies and tax incentives to attract foreign productions to the island.

The government has already released €3.3 million to support several international projects, confirming the plan’s immediate impact. Over €1 million have been earmarked for the second season of The Ex-Wife, a British thriller series based on Jess Ryder’s novel. The four-episode season stars Céline Buckens, Tom Mison and Janet Montgomery, and continues the story of the original series that premiered on Paramount+ in 2022.

More than €1.7 million have been allocated to three separate versions of the entertainment show Roast on the Coast, produced for Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Each edition consists of six half-hour episodes in which Scandinavian comedians travel around Cyprus and share humorous stories, blending travelogue with stand-up comedy. The format is adapted from the Danish original Roasted: Verdens sjoveste ferie and premiered on Prime Video in Sweden in May 2025. All three versions will be available on Amazon Prime.

A further €604,000 have been granted to the ninth season of Superstars, a competition series in which well-known former athletes compete in various sports challenges across different locations in Cyprus. The season consists of 18 one-hour episodes and will be broadcast on Warner Bros Discovery.

Earlier this year, the committee released €430,000 for the production of Apart From Her, the latest feature by South African-born Greek-Cypriot filmmaker Stelana Kliris, whose previous romantic comedy Find Me Falling gained international attention on Netflix (see the news). An additional €331,000 were allocated to the Canadian drama Kaboul Montreal, directed by Bachir Bensaddek, a social drama highlighting the courage of Afghan mothers. These grants support the development and completion of both projects in Cyprus.

The programme builds on the initial audiovisual framework launched in 2017 and revised in 2023, offering a structured package of financial incentives that cover production expenses such as accommodation, travel, catering, equipment rental, set construction, post-production and local crew wages. Eligible applicants include Cypriot and EU companies or individuals active in the audiovisual sector, provided they meet the scheme’s cultural and economic criteria.

By combining direct grants with tax advantages, the government aims to boost inward investment, promote Cyprus as both a filming location and a tourist destination, and generate new employment opportunities in the creative industries.