UNPRECENTED NUMBER OF FILMMAKERS TRAVEL TO “RALLY IN TALLY”
TO LOBBY LEGISLATURE FOR FILM INDUSTRY TAX INCENTIVE
TALLAHASSEE (March 25, 2009)- A grassroots coalition of film workers from all over Florida descended on Tallahassee last week to meet with Governor Crist and members of the Florida Legislature about the sudden drop in feature film production in the state since funding for the current tax incentive was reduced.
The group urged lawmakers to support several pending bills before the Legislature that would create a transferable tax credit, allowing Florida to once again compete with a growing number of states, including Louisiana, New Mexico and Michigan that have recently attracted large numbers of feature film projects with tax incentives ranging from 20 to 42%.
“Many of us working in the industry have been alarmed by a growing exodus of film crews seeking work in other states, and the loss of several key film equipment rental companies, so we took pro-active action,” said Maria Chavez, President of the Florida Film Production Coalition (FFPC), a non-profit film industry trade group. Several busloads of film workers from Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville arrived at the Capitol Thursday for a rally and meetings with dozens of legislators.
“We had an unprecedented number of groups and individuals representing a cross section of Florida’s production industry travel to Tallahassee, and there is no doubt that our voices and our message were heard,” said Graham Winick, President of Film Florida. “Between all of us, every single legislator’s office was visited, or meetings held.”
Film Florida also hosted a press conference with Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, who announced that submissions are now being accepted for the Don Davis Film Finishing Fund, named for the late legislator and champion of Florida’s film industry.
In addition to groups from Film Florida and the Florida Film Production Coalition, the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association (FMPTA) also sent representatives to Tallahassee.
About Film Florida
Film Florida is a not-for-profit corporation that provides a leadership role in Florida's film and entertainment industries by representing a coalition of interests, including private industry, local film commissions, industry associations and labor organizations. Its purpose is to offer to businesses and individuals the benefits of a statewide trade association to promote the creation of jobs in the film and entertainment production industries and to promote economic development and tourism. For more information on Film Florida, please visit www.filmflorida.org.
About FFPC
The Florida Film Production Coalition is a proactive voice and advocate in supporting and creating initiatives relating to the film and entertainment industry throughout the State of Florida. Founded in 2008, this not-for-profit coalition of individuals and companies represents a grass roots movement dedicated to uniting film workers state wide in creating jobs and contributing to Florida’s economic growth. For more information, please visit www.floridafilmproductioncoalition.com.