COLUMBUS – Ohio has been the backdrop for many film projects and industry leaders say greater investment would attract more productions to the state.
While some states have tax incentive caps of $100 million dollars or no cap at all, Ohio’s Film Tax Credit cap is only $40 million, Bill Garvey, president of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, said.
A bill in the Statehouse which had a committee hearing in April would create new tax credits for constructing new film sets and hiring crew members and students.
“We’ve built a pretty robust business, but we could be so much more. There’s a lot to like here, and a lot that Ohio can leverage to be successful in this business,” Garvey said.
While Cincinnati and Cleveland were recently ranked among the top 15 best North American cities for moviemakers, John Daugherty of the Greater Columbus Film Commission says other areas are learning from their success.
“The better we all do and the more we can work together, it’s better for the whole state,” he said, though he is worried that efforts to pass anti-LGBT and anti-abortion bills will make Ohio less appealing to movie studios.
Daugherty notes many filmmakers and actors called for boycotts in Georgia after new voting restrictions were passed there.
“Some of these things could hurt business in the long run – not only in the film industry, but all business,” he said.