| Harrisburg, June 25, 2007 - State Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Pittsburgh) today said he looks forward to tomorrow’s state Capitol rally to support his legislation designed to expand and refine the state’s film and television industry.
The rally will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, June 26, at 11 a.m. at the Capitol fountain off of Commonwealth Ave. in Harrisburg.
“Attracting films to our state is a great way to bring new money to Pennsylvania, market the Commonwealth internationally, and create and sustain jobs,” Ferlo said. “From Pittsburgh’s own Gene Kelly to Rocky, one of Philadelphia’s favorite heroes, Pennsylvania has a rich history in the entertainment industry and this legislation will help expand the state’s role in television and film production. The problem is, this program has proven to be victim of its own success.”
Ferlo is referring to the fact that every year of its existence, the program has reached its funding limit well before the end of the year.
Ferlo’s legislation would work to attract filmmakers both large and small by improving incentives for each. For smaller productions, Ferlo’s bill would increase the amount of grant funds available in the Film Production Grant Program from $10 million to $15 million while limiting applicants to those with budgets of less than $2 million.
For the larger-budget productions, the legislation would also reinstate the Film Production Tax Credit of 25 percent for films with budgets over $2 million.
Expected to join Ferlo at the rally will be actors, producers, directors, film and television professionals, and members of film offices from across the state. The bill enjoys the bipartisan support of fifteen other co-sponsors.
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