North Carolina Cuts Film Incentives To $10M Per Year | WUNC

North Carolina will offer up to $10 million a year until 2020 to encourage video production companies to film in the state, as part of the new incentives package going into effect today. The state’s new grant program will donate preference to filmmakers who use “economically distressed” locations or show attractions that could promote tourism to the state, according to guidelines drafted by the N.C. Film Office. Film industry promoters asked state lawmakers this year to extend the state’s 25 percent credit for production companies, an incentive that gave out $61.2 million in credits in 2013, now say interest in filming in the state has dropped as a result of the new plan, the Raleigh News Observer reported. Production companies said incentives encouraged them to film movies such as the Hunger Games Ironman 3, TV shows such as Homeland Eastbound Down in the state. Under the new program under guidelines drafted by the state film office, productions determined “obscene” or “harmful to minors” will be ineligible for grants, grant applications must show how many cast crew members are permanent North Carolina residents, applications will be judged by whether they leave permanent infrastructure improvements. The film office is taking feedback on the preliminary guidelines until Jan. 23. The program will start Jan. 26. …

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