Australia is under pressure to increase its location offset for filmmaker David Fincher and star Brad Pitt. The pair are set to work together again on Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, but the studio wants a more generous location offset to commit to an Australian shoot.
Actor and producer Mark Wahlberg has called for better location filming incentives in Canada, where he has made several films over the years. Visiting Toronto this week he spoke of his wish to see more US productions filming in the country.
Northumberland in north-east England has held a forum to promote its filming locations. Northern Film and Media organised the event that offered a networking opportunity and discussions on how to boost the region’s production industry.
The UK will launch a TV location filming tax credit in April 2013. Chancellor George Osborne confirmed the programme to boost the TV industry and encourage high-end shows like Downton Abbey to continue filming in Britain.
Ireland’s location filming incentive programme has been extended through to 2020. The Section 481 Film Tax Relief Scheme will become a tax credit model from 2016, a change which might bring other enhancements too.
New York’s location filming incentive brought USD6.9 billion to the state and generated USD2.23 in tax for every dollar issued in 2011, a new report shows. Some 12,600 production jobs were created as a result of the credit.
Manchester’s Sharp Project, a digital and production complex in north-west England, will expand to better cater for national and international projects. Two new stages of more than 35,000 square feet will be built, as well as space for production offices and dressing rooms.
Pennsylvania is calling for an increase to the film fund for its location filming incentive. At the moment the state programme has USD60 million allocated annually for a 25% tax credit, but officials say this needs to rise to at least USD100 million.