ECONOMIC IMPACT OF FILM/TV

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF FILM & TELEVISION

IN an industry that relies on the dependability of state government and local support to establish its business, Oklahoma has proven its steadfast commitment to film and television, offering one of the strongest competitive film programs in the nation.

Over the last two years as the state’s previous film incentive program has expanded, nearly 70 film and television qualified projects were produced in Oklahoma, and with newly signed legislation effective July 1, 2021, the state’s current incentive, the Filmed in Oklahoma Act Rebate Program, is now the foundation of the current and future development of the state’s film, television and music industries.

The rebate program itself operates on the Fiscal Year (FY) calendar, which saw FY21 (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021), accounting for 34 film and television productions shot in Oklahoma utilizing the state’s rebate program. This number has increased every year since FY14, with FY22 projecting even more growth. The economic impact of the 34 films that shot in FY21 amounts to $170 million spent in Oklahoma, with $107 million of that money being paid to Oklahoma film industry workers.

From FY11-FY21, the state’s film incentive generated over $300 million in direct local spend from film and television productions that utilized the program. This industry is thriving, with more and larger films choosing to film in Oklahoma every year. The impact has the potential to grow small businesses across the state, as the film industry has incredible reach into other sectors of business. Hair stylists, accountants, truck drivers, hotels, carpenters, tailors, restaurants, and many more businesses have the potential to benefit from film productions using their communities as set locations.

CLICK HERE for current information on the economic impact of film and television production in Oklahoma as well as a history of Oklahoma film incentives.