For the first time since 2004, Florida does not have a state-wide program to entice film, television and digital media projects and companies to the Sunshine State. Since last summer, Film Florida--headed by president Kelly Paige--has been working with stakeholders to create multiple options for the industry that would bring more work, jobs and spending to Florida. 

However, recently the Florida House also filed a bill (HB 7005) that would close, among other agencies, the Florida Office of Film and Entertainment (the State Film Office), an entity that has been in existence for more than 40 years. This bill would also end the Entertainment Industry Sales Tax Exemption program, a program thousands of Florida-based companies have benefited from since 2001, most of which are small businesses.

In response Film Florida has set its priorities which are to fight the proposed tax increase on the industry, to keep the Florida Office of Film and Entertainment open, and to ensure that the world gets the message that Florida is open for business and remains interested in recruiting films and television shows. Film Florida plans to continue meeting with and educating legislators so they understand the importance of our industry to Florida’s jobs and tourism economies.
 
AFCI Sets Speaker Slate For Locations Panel
The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and its industry partner Lightsource Asia Media Group unveiled their panelist slate for the Sustainable Production: Think Global, Act Local panel session as a part of the AFCI Locations, Global Production & Finance Conference, that runs April 6-8, 2017 at the Marriott Burbank and Convention Center in Burbank, Calif.  

Sustainable Production incorporates practices into the production process that reduce negative environmental impacts, engage positively with the community and align with the overall production budget.

Sponsored by Creative BC and supported by the Motion Picture Production Industry Association of BC and Western Economic Diversification, the Sustainable Production session is scheduled for Friday, April 7, from 2:45pm - 3:45pm, featuring panelists: Julie Bernard, manager of production services, Creative BC; Matthew Carlisle, EVP, Physical Production, Paramount Television; Lisa Day, director, Energy Initiative, 20th Century Fox; moderator.

Zena Harris, president, Green Spark Group; Emellie O’Brien, founder and president, Earth Angel (NY); and Mike Slavich, director, Sustainability, Warner Bros. Entertainment.

"We’re eager to offer such an important and timely session during the AFCI Global Production and Finance Conference focusing on best practices, incentives and engagement at the local level and how this strengthens the sustainable production movement globally," said Kevin Clark, executive director for AFCI.

The Producers Guild of America is an official industry partner for the Global Production & Finance Conference.

In addition to the conference, the AFCI Locations Show will provide more than 2,600 media content producers and industry professionals direct access to at least 80 AFCI film commission members and dozens of service industry partners exhibiting from more than 30 countries representing billions of dollars in film incentives and resources on-site.

Registration is open for the three-day event with info available at AFCILocationsShow.com.

Fast Color To Lens In New Mexico
New Mexico Film Office director Nick Maniatis announced that the independent feature Fast Color produced by LD Entertainment will began principal photography in mid-March running through mid-April in Albuquerque. The production will employ approximately 100 New Mexico crew members, five to seven New Mexico principal actors and more than 300 New Mexico background talent. The independent feature is directed by Julia Hart (Miss Stevens) and produced by Mickey Liddell (Jackie, Anthropoid, Risen, and upcoming 2017 release Megan Leavey), Pete Shilaimon (Anthropoid, Risen and Megan Leavey) and Jordan Horowitz (La La Land, Miss Stevens, and The Kids Are All Right). "Our film Fast Color is the perfect vehicle to showcase the majestic landscapes and the abundance of unique locations here in New Mexico. We are excited to work with the deep and talented artisans and technicians of the New Mexico film community, and we appreciate the partnership with the New Mexico State Film Office," said producer Shilaimon. "We look forward to building a relationship for this and hopefully more movies to come." 

Starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Beauty and the Beast, Miss Sloane, Free State of Jones, Concussion), Fast Color is the story of a young woman forced to go on the run when her superhuman abilities are discovered. Years after having abandoned her family, the only place she has left to hide is home.