Written by new-contact on Jan 23, 2012. Posted in Incentive News

Supporters of Alaska location filming incentives renew call for 10-year extension

Alaska’s filming industries are renewing their call for a ten-year extension to the state’s existing incentive programme. The current scheme is worth USD100 million and expires in 2013, but supporters are campaigning for a lengthy extension that could attract more long-term projects.

One of the programme’s supporters is Mike Devlin, who’s aiming to set up a production company in the state specialising in 3D projects, reports the Associated Press. He warns the firm may be forced to move to Los Angeles and other locations if the right filming incentives aren’t available in Alaska.

With the tax credit, the incentive to come here to produce films is critical because as we know there are lots of other places in the world that producers can choose.

Robin Kornfield, Piksik

Robin Kornfield is President of Piksik, one of Alaska’s new production service companies, and told the outlet: “With the tax credit, the incentive to come here to produce films is critical because as we know there are lots of other places in the world that producers can choose.”

In the two years since the incentive scheme was launched the state has paid out about USD15 million to production companies and made around USD45 million in direct local spend.

Nevertheless, it faces vocal opposition. There’s concern that Hollywood projects are delivering negative press for Alaska’s core oil and gas industries, and some politicians are also wondering exactly how much of the production spend actually directly benefits Alaskans. A decision on the incentive’s future was deferred last year.