Written by new-contact on Jul 1, 2011. Posted in Incentive News

Maryland increases state film fund to attract more location filming

Maryland has increased the size of its film fund in a bid to get more productions. Previously worth just USD1 million a year, the new bill had a USD15 million figure but this was reduced to USD7.5 million at the last minute. The incentive is worth up to 25% for qualifying film productions.

Jack Gerbes, Director of the Maryland Film Office, said: “What it does first and foremost is creates jobs, provides revenue to Maryland businesses and creates economic activity with a trickle-down effect.”

What it does first and foremost is creates jobs, provides revenue to Maryland businesses and creates economic activity with a trickle-down effect.

Jack Gerbes, Maryland Film Office

Although certainly a positive move for Maryland, it’s still a relatively small figure compared to other states. It remains to be seen what impact the increased fund will have on state-wide production.

The HBO film Game Change is the highest-profile project to visit Maryland recently. Starring Ed Harris and Julianne Moore it will tell the story of Senator John McCain’s failed White House bid in the 2008 general election.