Written by Tom Deehan on Jan 9, 2017. Posted in Incentive News

Discussions begin as Washington film incentive nears expiry

Washington’s production incentive programme, which currently offers up to 30% in cash back on eligible expenditures incurred whilst filming, is set to expire this year. Discussions are now taking place over how to proceed with the incentive, regarding possible expansion or even retiring the programme entirely.

Members of the City Council of Spokane will convene near the end of the month to vote on supporting an expansion bill for the incentive. Ben Stuckart, City Council President and author of the bill explains: “everybody would probably agree, we wish we could have a level playing field and wouldn’t have to have a film tax incentive program… but you’ve also got to compete.”

Syfy’s Z Nation (pictured) is shot entirely in Spokane, becoming a staple production within the city since 2013 and a key reason to keep the incentive running.

The incentive is operated by Washington Filmworks, a non-profit organisation. Speaking on their behalf, Executive Director Amy Lillard notes: “our immediate goal is to get it funded. Would we like an opportunity to expand the programme? Absolutely. But do we recognise that the program keeps people here, and not moving to LA? Yes.”

Feature films, television shows and commercials productions are all eligible to access the incentive, as long as they meet their respective minimum spend.

Running on a total fund of USD3.5 million annually, the incentive has attracted a number of notable projects including the Amazon original series, The Man in the High Castle, and Matt Ross’s indie comedy, Captain Fantastic.