ATLANTA — A recently proposed bipartisan bill aimed at boosting the film industry in the United States and keeping production domestic is getting support from Georgia leaders and lawmakers.
The Motion Picture, Television and Entertainment Revitalization Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in September by a bipartisan coalition.
The Georgia Film Office, part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, shared a brief statement with Channel 2 Action News about the legislation, saying “Global competition is a real factor in the film industry. We’re supportive of the federal government helping create a more fair playing field.”
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Among those with their names on the legislation is Georgia U.S. Rep. Brian Jack, whose congressional district includes the community where Trilith Studios operates.
The bill itself was introduced by Texas U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, who said the legislation is meant to revive American film and television production across the country to encourage economic growth.
According to the sponsors, the legislation would create a federal tax credit for productions made in the U.S. as a way to “reverse the flow of film and television jobs to the numerous foreign countries that are luring these American productions away.
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“My Congressional District is home to Trilith Studios, and I proudly represent the craftsmen, electricians, and carpenters who work hard to create movies that inspire generations of Americans,” Jack said in a statement. “Study after study has demonstrated that American film production delivers substantial economic benefits to communities across our country by creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and generating millions of dollars in local economic activity.”
He said he looks forward to working with his colleagues in Congress to pass the bill into law and achieve the goal of revitalizing American film production.
The bill would provide an additional incentive for productions that spend at least 30% of their principal photography days in rural communities designated as Qualified Opportunity Zones.
Another incentive would be provided to productions filmed in areas that were declared federal disaster areas.
In Georgia, that could include communities covered by federal disaster declarations, including areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Productions would generally need to spend at least 75% of their principal photography days in the U.S. The bill also includes separate eligibility requirements for qualifying post-production and visual effects work.
The proposed federal tax credit would be available to qualifying productions across the country, including areas outside major production hubs like Los Angeles and New York.
Paramount Chairman and CEO David Ellison also said he and his company are supportive of the legislation.
With the merger between Warner Bros., which has a large presence in Georgia, and Paramount officially approved, Ellison’s comments have a more direct impact on what the legislation could mean for Georgia.
“Paramount fully supports this legislation,” Ellison said in part. “We believe now is the time to pursue this important legislation, so we can support our critical production workers and make more films and TV right here at home.”
The bill is sponsored in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Sens. Adam Schiff and Tim Scott, in California and South Carolina, respectively.
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