Mexico — A Premier Production Destination with Red Creek Expertise
Overview
Mexico hosts over 7,000 productions yearly, with a legacy stretching back to John Ford’s iconic westerns in Durango and James Bond & Fast & Furious movies. Mexico City stands as Latin America’s largest film and TV production hub. Recently, streaming giants like Amazon, Disney+, HBO Max, and Netflix have doubled down on Mexico—Netflix alone announced a $1 billion Mexico production investment through 2028 .
Red Creek has supported commercials and campaigns for Amazon’s Stella Artois, Siemens, Hawaiian Airlines, Lexus, Kindle, Dish, Nike, Pepsi, P&G, and Reckitt Benckiser. We also produced the Amazon Prime series S.O.Z.: Soldados o Zombies, created by Nicolás Entel and filmed in Mexico across prison, desert, and border locations—demonstrating our capacity to handle complex international shoots .
Location Diversity
Mexico offers vast visual and cultural variety:
Mexico City – Metro Region (20 million population): pre-Hispanic ruins, colonial heartlands, contemporary architecture (Luis Barragán, Enrique Norten, Michel Rojkind), and suburban developments—ideal for urban shoots.
Northern Deserts – Locations that pass for Arizona or Sahara; ideal for tech, automotive, and cinematic projects.
Jungles & Ruins – Yucatán’s Maya sites offer exotic, historical backdrops.
Volcanoes & Highlands – Places like Popocatépetl & Pico de Orizaba are perfect for natural drama.
Pacific & Caribbean Beaches – Corona-style paradises essential for lifestyle campaigns.
Nearly 40 UNESCO World Heritage sites—the most in the Americas.
Film commissions at federal and state levels streamline permits, accelerates access, and open location-specific incentives.
Weather
Mexico’s varied geography creates distinct climates:
Dry vs. Rainy Seasons – Rain from May to September, mostly afternoon/evening.
Coastal Zones – Warm year-round, especially in rainy season with lush landscapes.
Northern Mexico – Arid or semi-arid conditions.
Mexico City – Mild daytime temps year-round; cooler nights in the dry season.
Crew, Equipment & Studios
Bilingual, World-Class Crews – Camera, sound, grip, etc., skilled in global productions.
Gear Rentals on Par with LA/NY – Latest camera and lighting kits fully available.
High-Volume Studios – Churubusco (10–16k sq ft stages), Quarry, and Baja Studios (Titanic origin) .
US citizens and others often join local teams with IP-friendly employment structures.
Casting & Talent
Top-Tier Casting Pool – Includes local and international actors, benefitting from Mexico’s status as Latin American mega-hub.
Expanded Diversity – Actors and models from Latin America, the US, Europe, and Africa.
Trusted Stunt Teams – Delivering in recent Hollywood–style action productions.
Incentives: VAT & EFICINE
0% VAT Eligibility
All productions shot in Mexico whose primary release is outside the country are exempt from VAT, provided billing is centralized through an authorized company .
EFICINE Tax Credit
Grants up to 10% credit against income tax for qualifying domestic film, series, documentaries, and animation .
Other Perks
Active Film Commission (IMCINE) facilitates permits, imports, and film-friendly arrangements .
Local state rebates exist—Jalisco offers up to US $150M/year for production; Mexico City incentivizes its regional audiovisual output .
Why Red Creek is the Go-To
Local Incorporation – Through our Mexico City office in trendy Condesa, we offer full integration with domestic billing and permit systems.
Financing Strategy – Efficient planning ensures VAT-free exporting and maximizes EFICINE credits.
Streamlined Logistics – We coordinate location access, customs carnet, studios, labor relations, and union protocols (STPC, STIC).
Technical Quality – On-site production backed by Netflix-level tools—Pix, ShotGrid, Moxion.
Proven Track Record – Amazon Prime’s S.O.Z. and top global clients attest to our reliability and artistic responsiveness.
Client-First Approach – Our bilingual, multinational staff ensures quality, clarity, and cultural fluency.
Steps to Get Started
Scouting & Budgeting – Virtual or in-person city/landscape location mapping for diverse scene needs.
Permit & Tax Planning – Draft compliant VAT-exempt billing and apply for EFICINE credits.
Crew & Talent Booking – Hire bilingual/union teams, L1-S compliance, and stunt crew licensing.
Production Setup – Lock studios/stages, finalize customs clearance, equipment delivery, and on-site logistics.
Wrap & Delivery – Coordinate post-production, delivery formats, and tax credit submissions.