Lawmakers should bring back incentives to bring film industry back to Florida
Not long ago, Florida was the talk of the film industry, thanks to an incentive program introduced in 2010. It brought in productions for several shows, including and and movies such as of Ages and
But in 2016, the film program ended because of a lack of funds, forcing many productions to leave Florida in favor of states with incentives, including Louisiana and Georgia. Since then, Florida has become a barren state for film and TV.
Florida needs to be proactive and bring the film industry back, especially during an election year.
Florida almost always has been a welcoming destination for the film and TV industry. From the days of silent films and monster movies to pop-culture films, Florida has a history that should not be ignored. When the 2010 incentives program was introduced, many productions flooded into the state, thanks to a first-come, first-served approach.
In the years after the incentive program ended, state legislators such as Sen. Joe Gruters and Reps. James Buchanan, Holly
Raschein and David Silvers have lent their support for the industry to return. In the last legislative session, bills HB 1401 and SB 526 were introduced in an effort to bring back the film and TV industry, but they died in both chambers. However, a state resolution introduced by Sen. Annette Taddeo, SR 1808, which declares the film industry as an economic force for Florida, was adopted by the Senate.
In the current legislative session Gruters and Buchanan have filed new bills, SB 530, which passed its first committee and now sits in the Commerce and Tourism Committee, and HB 497, which was introduced at the start of the session to again try to bring the film industry back.
This quest not only should be a nonpartisan effort by state legislators, but also those who want to bring their productions to Florida. Local businesses have suffered from the film industry’s departure. According to 2018 reports, Florida lost more than $1 billion since the program ended, including 160,000 hotel rooms, and 87,000 cast and crew roles. Updated numbers show more than $1.3 billion in lost projects and more than 110,000 lost cast and crew jobs on projects. However, shows such as “David Makes Man” and “The Right Stuff” are being filmed in Florida, which is a sign that, with incentives, we can see more productions heading our way in the future.
We need the film industry in our state. For too long, Floridians have suffered long enough and are ready to get back to working on more productions. The only way that will happen is if legislation gains support. As much as we talk about how great Florida is, we need to put it to greater use. Florida can have its film and TV industry back again, but only if we, along with along with legislators and organizations, express unwavering support for it and fight for its return.
Sunday’s Super Bowl, this time in South Florida, means all eyes will be on us. If the Legislature passes incentives for the film industry, we can keep it that way.