30% cash back in 30 days.

With one of the industry’s most competitive incentive programs, Washington Filmworks provides funding assistance of up to 30% of in-state qualified expenditures (including Washington-based labor and talent). And we’ll cut you a check within 30 days. We’ve got millions in incentive funds to give away this year, offering you the opportunity to significantly cut costs without sacrificing production quality.

Who qualifies?

To qualify for our 30% return in 30 days incentive program, your production company must meet the following in-state spending thresholds:

$500,000 Feature Films
$300,000 Television
$150,000 Commercials

Washington Filmworks accepts applications year round. While we make every effort to approve or deny completed applications within 10 business days of receipt, sometimes a response may take up to 30 days. 


Which expenditures are eligible?

You’ll get funding assistance for the following expenditures when they’re purchased from a Washington State-based business:

  • Set construction and operations
  • Wardrobe, accessories, and make-up
  • Location fees and related services
  • Photography, sound synchronization, film processing and dailies, and lighting and related services
  • Rental of facilities and equipment
  • Renting or leasing of vehicles
    o See Sales Tax Exemption for production vehicle rentals
  • All airfare purchased through a Washington-based business or agency
  • Insurance coverage and bonding
  • Per diem received in the state of Washington only
    o Per diem may not exceed the IRS rate or the minimum per diem amounts as outlined in applicable collective bargaining agreements
  • Food and lodging, if purchased from a Washington state-based company
    o See Hotel/Motel Tax Exemptions for additional deductions
  • Post-production expenditures directly attributable to the qualified production
  • Other direct costs spent in Washington state directly related to the qualified production in accordance with generally accepted entertainment industry practices
  • Compensation paid to Washington state residents. This includes wages or salaries, fringe benefits or fees, and health insurance and retirement benefits of Washington State residents for talent, management, and labor.

Which expenditures DO NOT qualify?

  • Any purchase made outside of Washington State (even if the items are brought into the state for production or purchased from a Washington state-based company)
  • Any employee compensation for out-of-state residents
  • All activities and expenses related to marketing of the qualified production including promotional images and poster art
  • Payment of penalties or fines
  • Internet purchases made from non-Washington State businesses, even if the delivery location is in WA State
  • Postage
  • Cellular phone reimbursements


Which productions are NOT eligible?

  • Productions of a producer who has – or one or more of the production company’s principals have – a history of previous production problems that create significant doubt, as determined by WF, regarding the producer’s ability to complete a production successfully
  • News, current events or public programming that is viewer- or listener-supported (or not supported by advertising) or a program that includes weather or financial market reports as a material portion of the program
  • Talk shows, game shows or contests
  • Sports events or activities
  • Awards shows, galas or any production that solicits donations
  • Political advertising
  • Video game production
  • A production produced primarily for industrial, corporate or institutional purposes