New Year, New Numbers
Tell Legislators the Dollars Make Sense
The economic impact of film production can have transformative effects on communities. Having a production in your town means jobs for local workers, meals at restaurants, room bookings at local hotels, and purchases of wardrobe and set decorations from local main street shops.
Washington Filmworks has financially supported over 115 projects since launching the production incentive program in 2007. Here’s a snapshot of the impact the program has had across Washington State.
The Production Incentive Has:
- Supported over 115 projects
- Generated $109 million in direct spending, including $50 million in wages and benefits for WA workers
- Provided over 14,500 jobs for local cast and crew
- Generated more than $10 of benefit for every $1 invested
Call To Action:
Washington Filmworks, along with a coalition of film industry partners, is once again pursuing legislation in Olympia during the 2016 legislative session to increase funding for the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program (MPCP). The legislation, if passed, would double the size of the tax incentive fund to $7 million over two years, and it would increase the fund incrementally until it reaches $10 million by the year 2020. The legislation also extends the sunset date of the program to December 31, 2023. (House Bill number coming soon!)
Here’s how you can help get your elected officials on board:
First, download the Keep Film in WA Fact Sheet and call or write your Senator and two Representatives today. Ask your elected officials to support the legislation to extend the sunset date and increase funding for the production incentive program, MPCP.
- Cite some of the data from the Fact Sheet.
- Remind them that dollars from approved projects have been spent in every legislative district.
- Tell them where you spend money when working on a production.
Don’t know who your elected officials are? Go here.
The session is only 60 days this year, so ACT NOW!
About Washington Filmworks:
Washington Filmworks is the non-profit 501(c)(6) organization that manages the state film office and production incentive programs. Our mission is to create economic development opportunities by building and enhancing the competitiveness, profile and sustainability of Washington’s film industry. We do this by creating possibilities for local and national filmmakers and offering comprehensive production support as well as financial incentives.