Friday, January 29, 2010

Local Legislative Forums Schedule

Attending Local Legislative Forums is a one-two advocacy punch.  At these meetings you are able to share your personal stories and opinion on the film incentive program with your legislators and members of you communities.

We recommend:
1. Printing copies of our Industry Overview and Legislative Recommendations

2. Preparing a personal story and question to ask.  For example:

"I was a grip on "The Experiment" which employed over 50% Iowa Crew in addition to several other films due to the Film Incentive Program.  Are you in favor of creating jobs like this for Iowans?"

There are over 40 meetings this weekend across the state.  Click here to view the schedule.

House Economic Growth Presentation

Yesterday, Tammy Shutters and Kent Newman from IMPA, along with Becky Gruening from the Greater Des Moines Film Commission, Susan Gorrell from Film SE Iowa and RRell Entertainment and Ken Gorrell from All Special Effects and RRell Entertainment presented our legislative recommendations and answered questions concerning the Film Incentive Program at a House Economic Growth committee meeting.

The meeting went well and there is support for trying to create a bill that will reinstate a revised program but, as I have said before, it is going to be a tough fight.

Click here to view the presentation which inculdes an impressive snapshot of local economic impact.

Quad Cities' Mayors Support Film Incentive Program

The Quad Cities' Mayors issued a letter in support of maintaining and improving the Film, Television and Video Promotion Program.

View the letter here.

Friday, January 22, 2010

The Future of Film in the Quad Cities and Iowa

IMPA would like to thank our co-sponsors, Quad Cities CVB and Quad City Film Coalition for organizing "The Future of Film in the Quad Cities and Iowa" meeting.  Also, thank you to all of the Quad Cities' business leaders and public for coming out on such a rotten weather day.  We are sorry that we were not able to make in person but are happy to report that we heard it was standing room only!

We heard several stories on what has been gained due to the Film Promotion Program and what has been lost since the suspension.  Help IMPA share your stories by e-mailing us a written account at info@impa.tv or by recording your Iowa Film Story for our You Tube channel.  You can watch our current collection at http://www.youtube.com/impadottv .

Here is a copy of IMPA's presentation.



Read the two Quad Cities Dispatch stories on the the event:
"Iowa outlines film incentive changes"
"New film incentive plan on way, audience told"

Friday, January 8, 2010

IMPA Disagrees with Tax Credit Review Panel’s Recommendations

Today, the Tax Credit Review Panel released their formal recommendations to the Governor and Legislature.  The full report can be viewed here.

The Iowa Motion Picture Association is disappointed with the Tax Credit Review Panel’s recommendation to eliminate the Film, Television and Video Promotion Program.

IMPA disagrees with this recommendation and believes that the program should be maintained. The program provides multiple benefits to Iowa’s economy and culture. The tax incentives facilitated a fast growing and exciting economic engine for Iowa during a severe economic downturn. It should be recognized that the film promotion program was achieving its intended goals.

The Film, Television and Video Promotion Program:
• Creates skilled/high technology employment
• Diversifies the state’s economic industries
• Attracts new and retains current residents
• Funnels out-of-state money into local economies
• Acts as a promotional vehicle for the state
• Increases state tourism

Film, television, and video production is a clean, Green industry that provides good jobs and equal opportunity for urban and rural locations.

Please contact your state legislators and ask them not to eliminate the Iowa Film, Television and Video Promotion Program.