Belgium-Senegal co-production, a strategic and artistic opportunity

BATAO, the film office in West Africa, invites Senegalese and Belgian professionals to meet and explore co-productions. Created on the initiative of Wallimage and the Centre Yennenga, with the support of Wallonie-Bruxelles International and the Direction de la cinématographie du Sénégal, BATAO acts in full independence and offers its services free of charge.

Think local, for a global impact

Senegal offers an ideal setting for productions from around the world. BATAO helps find the necessary resources locally: locations, technicians, service providers, equipment, financing leads. The platform is a foothold for strengthening film relations between Belgium and Senegal.

A solid legal framework

In May 2021, the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and Senegal signed a co-production agreement designed to facilitate artistic and technical collaboration between the two countries. It is the third agreement of this kind signed by Belgium with an African country, after Tunisia and Morocco.

Financial incentives on both sides

On the Belgian side, the Tax Shelter opens up significant tax deductions for investors across the whole country, and remains accessible to international co-productions. Regional funds, including Wallimage and Screen Brussels, can also cover part of production and post-production costs.

On the Senegalese side, the Fonds de promotion de l'industrie cinématographique et audiovisuelle (FOPICA) grants subsidies that make it easier to produce quality films and strengthen the capacity of the local audiovisual sector.

A mirrored call for projects

BATAO regularly organises a call for projects to encourage co-productions between Belgium and Senegal, in the form of a mirrored programme: one part at the FIFF in Namur, a second at Dakar Séries. Selected projects receive financial and logistical support, as well as international visibility.