Oregon in the north-west US is considering doubling the size of its annual location filming fund. The Governor’s proposal would increase the fund to USD12 million and could help bring more productions to the state.
New TV crime drama Low Winter Sun has been awarded a filming incentive of USD7.5 million to film on location in Detroit, Michigan. The majority of the crew will be hired locally, adding to local production expenses that are expected to feed millions into the Metro Detroit region.
The European Commission has launched its final public consultation on revised rules for film and audiovisual production support among Member States. A review of criteria for state aid has been underway for two years and the final Communication is due in June 2013.
A new, big-budget film adaptation of Dracula featuring Javier Bardem will film on location in Northern Ireland after securing an upfront payment under the UK’s incentive laws. Ireland was being considered for the shoot but reportedly couldn’t match the UK’s offer.
Manitoba in central Canada – famous for its polar bears – has extended its location filming incentives through to the end of 2016. Eligible productions shooting in the province can claim a labour tax credit of up to 65%, or a cost-of-production tax credit of up to 30%.
Lithuania has moved a step closer towards a national location filming incentive. An amendment has been approved by the government and will soon be subject to a parliamentary vote.
Hundreds rallied in North Carolina at the weekend over proposed changes to the state’s location filming incentive programme. The concern is that making the incentive non-refundable will discourage productions on the scale of The Hunger Games from filming locally.
North Carolina is considering plans to make its location filming incentive non-refundable. The news has angered production professionals in the state who are concerned that the change would threaten North Carolina’s appeal to productions like Iron Man 3.