We've recently seen a increased interest in space and STEM fields from the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 to the effects of climate change on the environment so it's no surprise stories featuring these subjects have been trending.

Hollywood is no stranger to space as an subject, with its own interest going back over 100 years to George Méliès' "Le Voyage dans la Lune", and still going strong with the anticipated release of "Ad Astra". China has also recently entered the space race with a successful lunar probe landing earlier this year and the release of the international blockbuster "Wandering Earth", based on the award winning sci-fi writer Liu Cixin's work.

Chile hopes to cash in on their unique attributes offering more than 300 clear days per year and with little or no light pollution in the north, ideal conditions for stargazing. No surprise to the scientists who first established the Cerro Tololo observatory in 1965, there are now some to 40 international, university, public and private observatories in the country.

The solar eclipse in South America helped Chile recognize the potential of astrotourism, one which they also hope to attract filming at its professional scientific observatories to draw attention to its many tourist observatories as well. They've already successfully hosted James Bond at Cerro Paranal in "Quantum of Solace" and have a rudimentary understanding of the benefits a region can receive from the inconvenience posed by hosting filming.

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The academic observatories range from the stylish mid-century Cerro Tololo to the ultra modern Cerro Paranal as seen in Bond, and can accommodate filming within respect to the valuable scientific observations these facilities conduct at night.

In addition to the astrophysical assets of the region, they can also offer STEM subjects on the other end of the spectrum, from ancient Inca and other indigenous archaeological artifacts, to the Rapa Nui and the Mapuche who also studied the stars to predict changes in weather, seasons, and navigate across the oceans. Ancient contact with an alien race could be suggested through evidence of what looks like humanoid with antenna carved into the rocks at the Valle del Encanto National Monument. For lively diversions from all the studies, there are also countless wineries and piscolerias to wet one's whistle and abundant seafood options to nourish the protagonist's appetites.•

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While Chile's new incentive might still be untested, as I've written before, the region could still pay dividends in a friendly pro-business government, a transparent free trade policy, and a sound economy that is considered one of South America’s most stable and prosperous nations.

Chilean President Sebastián Piñera also previously owned majority shares in local television network Chilevision and LAN Airlines, so he understands the power of media as an economic driver and may be willing to negotiate further for the right project.

Additionally, Chile offers a thriving commercial production industry primarily servicing European agencies seeking opposite seasonality with available Russian arm and Tyler mounts in Santiago, and established Hollywood creative talent such as directors Pablo Larraín (Jackie), Sebastián Lelio (A Fantastic Woman), and actor Pedro Pascal (Narcos, Game of Thrones).

For more information regarding filming in Chile, check out my previous article here, and photos collected from the region here.

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