Call to Action
Calling all Floridians interested in a strong economic future for the State of Florida…
It is an urgent and undisputed fact that job creation and job retention will drive Florida's economic recovery and diversification.
The Entertainment Industry Economic Development Act (House Bill 697) – legislation filed on behalf of the film, TV & digital media industry by Rep. Stephen Precourt - creates a consistent and competitive film and digital media tax credit that has a proven record of attracting and growing the entertainment industry in numerous states throughout the nation. This incentive will level the economic playing field and allow Florida to take advantage of its existing talent pool while continuing to build digital media entertainment production clusters. The Senate Companion (SB 1430) has been filed by Sen. Haridopolos which mirrors HB 697.
HB 697 / SB 1430 - The highlights:
- This legislation allows Florida to retain and create more high wage jobs by attracting production spending immediately, while avoiding any fiscal hit in the upcoming budget.
- The bill will generate substantial amounts of new revenue for the State by creating thousands of jobs for Floridians and boosting a broad and diverse spectrum of ancillary businesses.
- Money comes in before money is spent, making this a true performance based tax credit - a certified production company only receives tax credits AFTER all its Florida expenditures have been verified.
- Florida is assured that all the money remains in the state as only a Florida taxpayer can use the credit.
We are urging you to reach out to your legislators individually; let them know what the Florida film, TV & digital media industry means to you, your family, your friends, your business and your community. If you cannot get an appointment with your legislator, meet with their key legislative aide, or send them a fax or a letter (not an e-mail). Feel free to use the documents linked below if you require more information.
HB 697 | SB 1430 | Industry Fact Sheet.
Let your State Legislators know that incentives for the Florida film, TV & digital media industry will:
- Put Floridians back to work QUICKLY
- Put money into the hands of small business owners throughout the State
- Will generate substantial and impactful new revenues for the State of Florida
Together we will have a strong, unified voice…
Together we will ensure that legislators take the steps necessary to build a strong economic future for our State…
Together we can begin to be a part of the solution that Florida and all citizens need for recovery!
Thank you for your cooperation and continued support!
The following organizations support HB 697 - The Entertainment Industry Economic Development Act (listed alphabetically):
- Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP)
www.aicp.com - CineVisun
www.cinevisun.com - City of Miami Beach Office of Film & Print
web.miamibeachfl.gov/tcd/filmprint/default.aspx?id=29694 - Collier County/Paradise Coast Film Commission
www.shootinginparadise.com - Digital Media Alliance of Florida (DMAF)
www.dmaflorida.org - EA Tiburon
www.tiburon.com - Economic Development Corporation Sarasota County
www.edcsarasotacounty.com - Emerald Coast Film Commission
www.destin-fwb.com/Film/ - Film Florida
www.filmflorida.org - Florida Alliance of Media & Entertainment (FAME)
www.fundfame.org - Florida Chamber of Commerce
www.flchamber.com - Florida Film Production Coalition (FFPC)
www.ffpcoalition.com - Florida Keys & Key West Film Commission
www.filmkeys.com - Florida Motion Picture & Television Association (FMPTA)
www.fmpta.org - IATSE 477
www.ia477.org - IATSE 600
www.cameraguild.com - Latin Chamber of Commerce of USA (CAMACOL)
www.camacol.org - Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission
www.orlandoedc.com - Metro Orlando Film & Entertainment Commission
www.filmorlando.com - Miami-Dade County Film & Entertainment Office
www.filmiami.org - Miami World Cinema Center (MWCC)
www.miamiworldcinemacenter.org - Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission
www.pbfilm.com - Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office
www.filmsarasota.com - Screen Actors Guild (SAG)
www.sag.org/branches/florida - Space Coast Film Commission
www.space-coast.com/FilmCommision/ - Tampa Bay Film Commission
www.visittampabay.com/film/ - Teamsters Local 769
www.teamsters-local769.com - Women in Film & Television (WIFT)
www.womeninfilmfl.org