St. Paul, Minn. – State Representative Liz Lee (DFL-Saint Paul) introduced a bill to establish the Explore Minnesota Film Office, a dedicated state agency responsible for promoting Minnesota as a premier destination for film and television production in the Economic Development Committee on March 20th, 2024. This initiative will leverage the existing strengths of Explore Minnesota, the state's tourism agency, and streamline film industry outreach efforts.
"Minnesota boasts stunning scenery, vibrant cities, and a rich cultural tapestry," said Rep. Lee, author of the bill in the Minnesota House. "This new office will ensure filmmakers across the nation recognize the vast potential our state offers for their productions. This legislation is a win-win for Minnesota. It fosters economic growth, creates jobs, and positions our state as a leader in the film industry."
The film industry injects millions of dollars into local economies through job creation, business investment, and tourism revenue. Currently, Minnesota is the only state in the country that relies solely on a non-profit organization, Minnesota Film & TV, to handle film commission duties.
"Minnesota has invested in an incentive program that will allow us to compete more effectively with other states vying for film projects," said Melodie Bahan, Executive Director of Minnesota Film & TV. "The creation of a state film office ensures that the state’s investment in this industry is used wisely."
The Explore Minnesota Film Office will work in tandem with Explore Minnesota, leveraging existing tourism infrastructure and expertise. This streamlined approach will offer a one-stop shop for film producers, simplifying the permitting process and connecting them with local resources.
The bill also proposes to empower the Explore Minnesota Film Office to administer the state's existing $25 million film production tax incentive program, ensuring efficient and effective utilization of these funds to attract new projects.
“Having a film production tax incentive is a crucial factor in drawing film and TV jobs to Minnesota, but it’s only one piece of a successful program,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director. "Direct oversight by a knowledgeable and informed state agency helps to ensure that incentive programs remain durable by being responsive to the needs of the state governments that establish them.”
The bill was laid over in the Economic Development Committee for possible inclusion in a future committee bill.
Additional information and documents from the hearing are available on the committee webpage. Video of the committee hearing can be found on the House Public Information YouTube channel.
Attached: Motion Picture Association infographic on the jobs and economic development induced by the film industry.
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