Film tax incentive keeps Washington State alive

Washington State’s filming incentive programme, the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program (MPCP), has been renewed for a further ten years. 

By Mia Thomas 4 Jul 2017

Film tax incentive keeps Washington State alive
Washington State

Washington State’s filming incentive programme, the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program (MPCP), has been renewed for a further ten years.

Though scheduled to expire on June 30, Washington State legislators have chosen to extend the lifeline of the MPCP due to its significant role in helping support local film projects, reports regional media outlet Index Newspapers.

The $44bn scheme also attracts out-of-state companies and productions to Washington where film production takes place and, in turn, money is spent locally.

Spending includes essential goods and services alongside aspects related to the film industry including crew, props and special effects, stages and studios and equipment rental. Though seemingly most important, only 5% of revenue in Washington is produced from spending within the industry. The rest derives from domestic and social spending, such as restaurants, hotels and travel.

An estimated $116m in direct in-state spending has occurred across the state over the past decade.

The decision to renew the programme also guarantees that Washington Filmworks, the main state film office, will continue to exist and work alongside the scheme.

Just as the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program remains, so does its cap. As with the past ten years, the limit for this programme stays at a relatively low figure of $3.5m a year for ten years.

Despite this budget, the MPCP has been invaluable in its support of the film industry in Washington.

Main page image: iStock.com/JTSorrell. Main article image: iStock.com/YinYang

The $44bn scheme also attracts out-of-state companies and productions to Washington where film production takes place and, in turn, money is spent locally.

Spending includes essential goods and services alongside aspects related to the film industry including crew, props and special effects, stages and studios and equipment rental. Though seemingly most important, only 5% of revenue in Washington is produced from spending within the industry. The rest derives from domestic and social spending, such as restaurants, hotels and travel.

An estimated $116m in direct in-state spending has occurred across the state over the past decade.

The decision to renew the programme also guarantees that Washington Filmworks, the main state film office, will continue to exist and work alongside the scheme.

Just as the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program remains, so does its cap. As with the past ten years, the limit for this programme stays at a relatively low figure of $3.5m a year for ten years.

Despite this budget, the MPCP has been invaluable in its support of the film industry in Washington.

Main page image: iStock.com/JTSorrell. Main article image: iStock.com/YinYang

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