Friday, December 18, 2009

Tax Credit Review Public Meeting

This week, the state hosted two Tax Credit Review Panel meetings in Cedar Rapids and Urbandale.  Both meetings were well attended, especially by supporters of the Film, Television and Video Promotion Program. On Wednesday, the Iowa Motion Picture Association presented at the Tax Credit Panel Review Public Meeting in Urbandale. 

A copy of our presentation can be viewed below. The presentation focuses on the economic impact that the industry provides and details our suggestions for the program moving forward.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Tax Credit Review Report And Public Meeting Agendas Released

The Iowa Department of Management released the agency tax credit reports and the public meetings agendas. The report includes data and information on the tax credit programs submitted by the state agencies that administer the tax credit programs. The public meetings will take place tomorrow in Cedar Rapids and Wednesday in Urbandale.

Click here to view the public meeting agendas.

Click here to view the agency tax credit report.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

IMPA to Present at Tax Credit Panel Meeting

Next week, the state is holding two Tax Credit Review Panel meetings.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 from 9 am – 12 pm
Kirkwood Center for Continuing Education, Room 159 D and E,
7725 Kirkwood Blvd SW
Cedar Rapids, IA

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 from 1 pm – 4 pm
Urbandale Public Library, Meeting Room A/B
3520 86th Street
Urbandale, IA

After these public meetings, the panel will report recommendations to the Governor for each tax credit program, including oversight, accountability, transparency, public reporting, cost-benefit, and which programs should be continued, curtailed and/or eliminated.

IMPA has accepted an invitation from the Governor to present on the impact of the Iowa Film Tax Credit Program.  IMPA will be conducting a five minute presentation at the Urbandale meeting.  One of the key points, we will make is that production jobs are “high quality.”

In addition to the presentations of stakeholder groups, the Review Panel will also take general public comment in two forms:

1. Through a public comment period at the end of each meeting
2. Through a comment form which is currently available on the Governor’s website,

Friday, December 4, 2009

Crossroads 2009 - Film Recap

Film enthusiasts and professionals attended Crossroads Entertainment and Arts Experience in Des Moines on December 3.  The day was packed with seminars and a showcase event in the evening.

Tom Whitus and George Maranville of Silver Hills Pictures, held an entertaining and educational workshop on their "reverse-engineering" approach to producing their films and talked about their positive experience of shooting "Sam Steele and the Junior Detective Agency" in Iowa.  Later in day at the Des Moines Social Club, attendees enjoyed a free screening of the film which featured several high profile Des Moines locations: Des Moines Art Center,  Salisbury House, Meredith Corporation,  and the Des Moines Police Station.

At the showcase event, attendees recorded their Iowa Film Story at the Advocacy Booth, learned about the Iowa Motion Picture Association, had headshots taken and critiqued by the Iowa Casting Association and networked with colleagues.  IMPA, along with Amy Johnson, IDED, and Becky Gruening, Greater Des Moines Film Commission, presented an update on the Film Promotion Program, the economic impact of the film industry and a collection of trailers from productions that were filmed in Iowa.  To view the presentation, press the play button in the slide viewer below.

Thank you to all of the IMPA members who volunteered, Iowa Tix. 4th Street Theatre, Vaudeville Mews, West End Architectural Salvage, and the Des Moines Social Club who helped make this event such a success!