Austria has introduced the first government-backed fund to compensate film and television companies if they are forced to shut down or delay a production due to COVID-19.
The program will pay out grants of up to $2.8 million per production to cover losses incurred if, for example, a lead actor tests positive for the novel coronavirus and is forced to go into quarantine.
International productions will also be covered under the program, with the fund paying up to half of the additional COVID-19 related costs.
The Austrian government has set aside €25 million ($28 million) for the program. Applications for the COVID-19 grants can be submitted until the end of this year.