Cyprus makes history with first-ever cashback reality TV rebate

Cyprus has made history by completing the first-ever incentivised rebate payout for an international reality TV show, the Swedish version of "Challenge" which was filmed on the island.

The news was announced by Nicosia-based Jokinisu Group. “This groundbreaking achievement was made possible under the government's visionary cash-back scheme and the unwavering support of key partners,” said Jacob Juhl, Executive Producer at Jokinisu Group, on his social media.

Cyprus Film Commissioner Lefteris Eleftheriou confirmed the news to CBN: “Yes this is true, the Scandinavian producers are very happy and satisfied with Cyprus’ film scheme.”

Cyprus Film Commissioner Lefteris Eleftheriou

Juhl thanked the Film Commission and Eleftheriou especially “for their dedication to attracting filming projects to the country”, as well as “our invaluable and super professional line producer partner” Green Olive Films. He concluded: “We're eager to welcome even more exciting projects in 2024 and beyond, contributing to the country's economic and cultural landscape.”

The Jokinisu Group

According to the Jokinisu Group’s official website, the group consists of Jokinisu Cyprus Ltd. and Circle360Creative Solution Ltd. (Sri Lanka, Dubai, Maldives). The first companies are fully controlled by Jacob Juhl and the latter as a shared partnership.

​The Jokinisu Group has been created and is run as a B-2-B platform promoting the group and our strong local partners in Cyprus and Sri Lanka, and their respective locations to content producers around the world with Jacob being involved in all ongoing productions.

​Jacob Juhl has worked in the industry since the late 90’s and has over that span of years, including a stint of 10 years on both sides of the cameras, had leading executive roles in two major production houses: ViaPlay Group‘s former production arm, Strix, and at Banijay (in Mastiff Denmark as Head of Programs and then in Banijay Nordic as Head of Foreign Productions).

​His work has primarily been in a showrunner capacity; creating, pitching, budgeting, selling and himself executing prime time reality entertainment shows for all Scandinavian broadcasters and to a few other territories and SVOD platforms as well. He is well known in The Survivor Community having run the show for many years.

​Also local adaptations of formats such as Paradise Hotel, SAS - Who Dares Wins, Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares, The Moment of Truth, Nation’s Brightest, FBI – Murder Mysteries and most recently FBoy-Island have had his fingerprints on them just to mention a few. He co-created with David Sidebotham and Mads Ulrik Holmstrup competition winners Bikini Island and The Bravest. Jacob Juhl has now chosen to leave the world of producing to enter the world of line-producing.