Written by on Feb 22, 2012. Posted in Incentive News

Tennessee campaigns for bigger film fund to boost location filming appeal

Filming professionals in Tennessee are calling for an increase to the state film fund. Incoming productions can get filming incentives worth up to 32% of the local spend, but the annual film fund is only worth USD10 million. Many locals feel they’re losing business to neighbouring states.

Last year a bill was introduced to more than triple the value of the film fund, but it was rejected by the state legislature. Filming professionals argue the state’s industry will decline if more money isn’t made available.

The film industry here in Tennessee is kind of sick right now and it needs an injection of cash to help it to get stronger.

David Bennett, formerly of Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission

David Bennett is the former Executive Director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission, and spoke to local News Channel 5 in Nashville: “Tennessee gets vetted for a lot of projects, [but] at the same time Georgia's being vetted for them and they'll shift right on over to Georgia. The film industry here in Tennessee is kind of sick right now and it needs an injection of cash to help it to get stronger.”

State authorities acknowledge the concerns but remain non-committal about the future of Tennessee’s filming incentives. Neighbouring states like Louisiana, North Carolina and Georgia may be doing strong business as production hubs, but filming incentives remain controversial as the US struggles with budget deficits.