Time to celebrate!

After a year-long campaign by Florida’s Film, Television and Digital/Interactive Media industries, professionals, supporters and associations, the Florida Legislature today passed the forward-looking and comprehensive “Jobs for Florida” bill  (SB 1752, Economic Development).

The bill provides for $242 million in transferable tax credits which will lead to over $1.2 Billion in direct spending in Florida over the next 5 years by digital and interactive media, film and television productions in our state.

The annual allocations of tax credits are: $53.5M in 2010-11; $74.5M in 2011-12; and $38M each year for the subsequent three years (’12-’13,  ’13-’14  and  ’14-’15 ), with base incentives of 20% for major digital and interactive media, film and TV projects over $625K, as well as 20% for Emerging and Independent Media projects of between $100K and $625K in qualified expenditures.

Information about applying for these incentives (starting June 7th, first come, first served) can be found below in the release issued by the Governor’s Office of Film and Entertainment, and on their website at: www.FilmInFlorida.com

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS!

We will spend the next many days reaching out to thank all those that supported and aided in the passage of this momentous and unprecedented bi-partisan legislation.

It is important to note that SB 1752 passed the Senate 39-0, and then passed the House today 115-0!!!

This level of unanimous support would not have been possible without the literally thousands of industry professionals, legislative and executive staff members, association leaders, government relations representatives and of course, legislative leadership that worked together to make this happen.

SB 1752 is the companion bill to the House Entertainment Industry Economic Development Act (HB 697) which Digital Media Alliance Florida and many, many others worked to craft side by side with sponsor Representative Steve Precourt, and prime co-sponsors Kevin Ambler and Jennifer Carroll; Finance & Tax Chair Ellyn Bogdanoff, Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment Director Lucia Fishburne, and numerous other House co-sponsors, including the significant assitance of Representative Michelle Rehwinkel Vasalina (D-Tallahassee).

And on the Senate side, we wish to laud the efforts of Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Niceville), who introduced SB 1752 with his key co-sponsor Sen. Jeremy Ring (D-Margate) and bi-partisan members of the Senate Select Committee on Florida’s Economy.   We also wish to recognize the key role that Senator Haridopolos and his staff played in introducing and championing his companion SB 1430 which led the Senate charge to match the House HB 697 efforts.   Thanks also to Senators Fasano, Richter, Negron, Bennett, Thrasher, Hill, Sobel, Lynn and Detert.

This has truly been an all out effort by our legislators!!!

And we would be seriously remiss if we did not highlight the vital roles played by: Film Florida, the Florida Film Production Coalition, the Florida Alliance of Media and Entertainment, Women in Film & Television-Florida, the Entertainment Software Association, Florida Film & Entertainment Advisory Council members, local city and county leaders, economic development organizations, educational institutions and many companies including Digital Domain Holdings, Electronic Arts, Telemundo, Universal Studios, Walt Disney Studios and numerous others.

We join Lucia Fishburne in saying what a privilege it’s been to be part of this incredible team effort!

Now all that remains is for Governor Charlie Crist to sign this bill, and Florida’s Entertainment Industries are off to the races!

UPDATE: The Governor signed the bill!