Film Commission
T
he Utah Film Commission markets the entire state as a location for film, television and commercial production by promoting the use of local professionals, support services and Utah locations. The film commission is a client driven program, which serves international, out-of-state and in-state production companies along with Utah support services and crew. Utah Code Ann. § 63M-1-1805 MOTION PICTURE INCENTIVE FUND The purpose of the Motion Picture Incentive Fund (MPIF) is to encourage the use of Utah as a destination for the production of motion pictures, television series, and made-for-television movies. The State of Utah provides financial incentives to the film industry so that the state is capable of competing successfully with other states and countries that offer film production incentives. The MPIF allows the state to foster a strong local motion picture industry that will contribute substantially to improving the state’s economy. The MPIF functions as a tax credit or cash rebate for approved productions and operates on a post performance basis on expenditures that are made in the state. State Approved Rebate Percentages • Tax Credit – 20% on dollars left in the state with no per project cap • Cash Rebate – 20% on dollars left in the state up to $500,000 per project • Cash Rebate – 15% on dollars left in the state up to $30,000 per project Dollars Left in the State Requirements • Minimum $1 million spend for the 20% incentive • Minimum $200,000 spend for the 15% incentive Funds Allocated for Tax Credit • Fiscal Years 2010 - 2011: $15,587,400 Funds Allocated for Cash Rebate • Fiscal Year 2010: $2,206,300 • Fiscal Year 2011: $2,206,300 “Frozen,” on location, Snowbasin Ski Resort.
Fiscal Year 2009 MPIF Report For FY 2009 the MPIF operated with a 15% cash rebate with per project cap of $500,000. The only exception was “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” which was given a special appropriation by the Utah State Legislature due to its high economic impact and job creation. PRODUCTIONS S Darko The Assignment High School Musical 3 HSM Reality Snowmen Frozen My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend Area 51 TOTALS
26
JOBS 70 85 200 30 65 60 45 60 615
DAYS 30 26 40 34 30 26 24 18 228
INCENTIVE AMOUNT $270,160.00 $450,000.00 $2,000,000.00 $265,491.00 $345,568.00 $214,540.00 $239,393.00 $215,271.00 $4,000,422.00
ECONOMIC IMPACT $1,801,063.93 $3,000,000.00 $13,333,333.33 $1,769,940.00 $2,303,784.07 $1,430,268.53 $1,196,965.00 $1,435,140.00 $26,270,495.00
Governor’s Office of Economic Development • Annual Report 2009
