SALT LAKE CITY - Members of the Governor's Office of Economic Development Board of Directors have approved film incentives from the Motion Picture Incentive Program for eight films that will be shot in Utah, the most projects the board has ever approved in a single meeting.
The projects range from the feature film "The Lone Ranger," Silver Bullet Productions, Inc., part of the Walt Disney Company, to an independent local production, "Back Door to Heaven," Back Door to Heaven LLC. The MPIP offers film companies up to 25 percent of the dollars left in the state in the form of a post-performance tax credit or cash rebate.
"We are excited to welcome these film projects to Utah because they will create jobs for our talented film crew and benefit Utah businesses," said Spencer Eccles, executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
"Utah's film industry will have a number of projects to work on in the coming months, thanks to the hard work of the Utah Film Commission staff, the Motion Picture Advisory Committee, and the Motion Picture Association of Utah," said Leigh von der Esch, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism and Film, an agency of GOED. "These films will generate increased interest in the state as a tourism destination when moviegoers see stunning images of the state's beautiful scenery on the big screen."
"The quantity and quality of these projects directly correlate to the clarity and stability of the Utah Motion Picture Incentive Program, in addition to the support of the Utah Legislature and Governor Gary Herbert," said Marshall Moore, director of the Utah Film Commission. "The projects, including in-state and out-of-state companies, demonstrate the depth of film talent in the state."
The film projects receiving an incentive from the MPIP include:
* "Back Door to Heaven," Back Door to Heaven, LLC
* "Breaking Pointe," BBC Worldwide Reality Productions, LLC
* "Forks in the Road," EPH Film, LLC
* "K-9 Christmas," Dewi LLC
* "Nightlight," Local Creative, LLC
* "The Lone Ranger," Silver Bullet Productions, Inc.
* "3 Days in Vegas," Red Tie Films, LLC
* "White Grizzly," White Grizzly Productions, LLC
Since the MPIP was created in 2004, 95 film projects have received funding, creating more than 5,000 production jobs and 2,000 production days. The projects are responsible for leaving nearly $178 million in the state. Recent films include John Carter, all three High School Musical movies, and the Oscar-nominated 127 Hours.
More than 900 films and television movies have been shot in Utah. Formed in 1974, the Utah Film Commission is a part of the Governor's Office of Economic Development, and is a member of the Association of Film Commissioners International.
Comments