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development of a federal incentive program to combat the flow of production heading overseas.
visit www.dga.org/Initiatives/Production-Incentives.
Hawai'i Strengthens and Extends Film
and Television Tax Credit Program
On July 6, Hawai'i Governor Josh Green signed SB 2580 into law,
strengthening and extending the state's film and television tax credit
program. Some of the notable reforms include increasing the annual cap to
$60 million for certain productions, adding a 5% uplift to the overall credit for
utilizing at least 80% local hires, and extending the overall program through
2038, providing much needed consistency for long-term productions and
investments. Led by a group of DGA members based in Hawai'i, the DGA
submitted a letter of support to the Hawai'i Legislature in favor of the bill.
The written testimony from DGA Associate National Executive Director/Western Executive Director Rebecca Rhine stated, "These
important reforms will help ensure our members can continue to find work locally and not be forced to choose between staying in Hawai'i
or going elsewhere in order to stay in the entertainment industry."
The DGA thanks and congratulates our members in Hawai'i, Governor Green, the Hawai'i legislature, and the entire creative community in
Hawai'i for their successful efforts to extend and strengthen the tax credit.
For information on Hawai'i's tax credit program visit the Hawai'i Film Office website at https://filmoffice.hawaii.gov.
DGA Supports Illinois' 5% Sustainability
Uplift for Film and Television Production
Illinois has become the first state in the nation to enact a sustainability uplift
for film and television production with its 5% tax credit increase available
to productions that achieve certified "Green" status. The uplift is stackable
on top of the state's existing 35% base credit and is a template towards
a both a sustainable future and a way to keep productions local that the
Guild would like to see applied elsewhere.
Productions earn this additional 5% by implementing state-certified sustainability plans to
minimize waste, reduce energy use, utilize sustainable materials, and adopt responsible
food practices. This has significant implications for how studios and streamers approach
long-term production planning and currently centers on The Fields Studios, Chicago's first
purpose-built production studio campus designed and constructed from the ground up with sustainability built into its infrastructure. This
was a deliberate decision made by the leadership team directly involved in the advocacy that helped shape Illinois' tax credit legislation,
an effort supported by the DGA.
For productions evaluating location decisions, this boost brings Illinois' total incentive package to up to 40%, a meaningful shift in the
competitive landscape with significant implications for how studios and streamers approach long-term production planning.
For information on Illinois' 5% Sustainability Uplift visit the Illinois Film Office website at https://dceo.illinois.gov/whyillinois/film.
— Incentives Updates:
