Iowa welcomes filmmakers
Back in May of 2007, the state of Iowa passed a bill offering incentives for film production companies to shoot their films in Iowa. The incentive takes the form of transferable income tax credits for up to 50 percent of the qualifying money spent in the state.
Similar bills have been passed in most other states in the country. The results, by most accounts, is a boon to state economies.
The Iowa Film Office reports that, until the tax incentives, only two movies were filmed in the state since 2006.Since the tax incentive bill was passed, fourteen films have come to the state.
Recent Iowa film projects include Polynation Pictures’ The Scientist and Reel Entertainment’s documentary on RAGBRAI, the yearly cross-Iowa bicycle trek. Upcoming projects include a horror comedy and Ten/Four Pictures’ Lucky.
The plan seems to be working for Iowa. Council Bluffs city officials report that the production companies rent hotel rooms, office space, hire local actors and crew members, and buy food, fuel, and entertainment—all of which means money for the local economy.
A similar tax incentive has been knocking on doors at the Nebraska state legislature, but has yet to be passed.
For more info: Iowa Film Office,Nebraska Film Office
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