News

  • Tuesday, August 03, 2021 7:58 AM | Anonymous

    from Crain's

    BY TOM O'DONNELL AND JOHN FORD

    We’ve seen this scripted act of ction before. Every year at this time, so-called “experts” from biased, politically motivated think tanks release a report concluding it is time to call "cut" on lm, TV, and streaming program tax credits nationwide, as a columnist did in the July 26 issue of Crain's.

    Read article PDF | Online

  • Friday, July 02, 2021 10:37 AM | Anonymous

     North Jersey set the stage for some 90’s nostalgia during the filming of the Hulu television series Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Season 2. Based on a true story, the show follows the formation of the Wu-Tang Clan in the early 1990s -- a vision of Bobby Diggs, aka The RZA, who strives to unite a dozen young, black men that are torn between lives of music and crime. They eventually rise to become the unlikeliest of American success stories. Executive produced by RZA, Method Man, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo and Alex Tse, the series will air later this year. 

    Filmed entirely in New Jersey, Wu-Tang: Season 2 stars Ashton Sanders as RZA, Shameik Moore as Raekwon, Siddiq Saunderson as Ghostface Killah, and Dave East as Method Man, with recurring appearances by Joey Bada$$. Filming took place on locations in East Orange, Elmwood Park, Kearny, Newark, Paterson, Plainfield, and Secaucus. 

    Many television programs have been produced in New Jersey throughout the years. They include Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Sopranos, Oz, The Enemy Within, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector, Emergence, Little America and, most recently, The Equalizer. 

    Governor Phil Murphy pointed to the recent spate of television shows shot in the state as a testament to the success of the tax credit program. “A single network series filming in New Jersey for a full season can generate as much as $100 million in local economic activity, and create hundreds of local jobs,” he emphasized. The Governor cited as examples the aforementioned projects and such television shows as CBS’s The Equalizer and Ways & Means, and HBO’s The Plot Against America, all filmed on location here in the last two years. 

    Since the reinstatement and enhancement of New Jersey’s film incentive program, production activity has increased as much as 500%. Produced by Imagine Television, Wu-Tang: Season 2 is one of many projects recently attracted to the state by the New Jersey Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, which offers a tax credit for qualified productions filming here. “We are delighted that the critically acclaimed Wu-Tang series chose to film Season 2 in the Garden State,” said Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “We continue to see television shows produced here on a regular basis and expect that trend to continue in the years ahead.” 

    About the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission 

    The NJMPTVC, which falls under the New Jersey Department of State’s Business Action Center, is staffed by industry professionals and serves as a resource for production companies. The Commission promotes film and television production in New Jersey. 

    www.film.nj.gov 


  • Thursday, June 10, 2021 2:41 PM | Anonymous

    On June 8, MiFIA executive committee officers Brian Kelly, Peter Klein and Michael Anderson presented to the House Commerce and Tourism Committee a proposal to bring the film tax credit back to Michigan.

    Watch here starting at minute 13:
    https://www.house.mi.gov/SharedVideo/PlayVideoArchive.html?video=COMM-060821.mp4 

  • Tuesday, May 25, 2021 10:58 AM | Anonymous

    For the first time in years, Michiganders will see a familiar city in a major motion picture. Set and filmed in Detroit, Steven Soderbergh’s No Sudden Move employed approximately 150 local workers (full and part-time) and used over 100 Michigan vendors for the 35-day shoot. The total Michigan spend for production is estimated at $30 million. Bringing back the Michigan film tax credit will attract other filmmakers like Soderbergh, promote tourism and create more jobs in our great state.


  • Wednesday, April 21, 2021 1:50 PM | Anonymous

    The Michigan Film Industry Association (MiFIA) has made great strides over the past year to create a film tax credit program in Michigan, and they are not slowing down.

    Legislation was introduced in late December to create a two-tiered tax credit. This legislative session, the Association is working diligently to educate lawmakers on the pro-jobs, talent retention bills.

    Formed in 2019, MiFIA recently elected officers and added 14 new board members.

    Executive committee officers are: David Haddad, chair; Brian Kelly, 1st vice chair; Michael Anderson, 2nd vice chair; Jonathan Braue, treasurer; and Peter Klein, secretary.

    Newly appointed board members are: Larry August, James Brown, Yvette Campbell, Luke Castle, Jesse Ford, Anthony Garth, Lindsey Katerberg, Lawrence Lamont, Aaron Mohr, Karla Kurz Murray, Sean O’Grady, Alexander Page, Diane Stratton and Janet Vineeta.

    “The talent and experience represented by our Board demonstrate the passion they have about bringing good-paying jobs and keeping our talent in Michigan,” said Chair David Haddad, owner of Haddads Inc. “With these individuals backing our mission, along with bipartisan legislative support, we are one step closer to our goal of making Michigan competitive with 38 other states who understand the economic benefits of film incentives.”

    Members of MiFIA are eager to introduce legislation that is responsible to taxpayers, generates revenue for the state and small businesses, and retains talent. Sen. Adam Hollier is leading the charge in the state Senate with work groups planned for late Spring.

    “The amount of support MiFIA has received is very encouraging,” said Haddad. “We all love Michigan and want to showcase our great state.”

  • Wednesday, March 03, 2021 4:06 PM | Anonymous

    Momentum building for film tax credit legislation 

    LANSING, MI – Haddad’s, one of the country’s top film and television equipment rental companies, is leading the charge for support of the Michigan film industry.

    Haddad’s has stepped forward as an early investor in the Michigan Film Industry Association (MiFIA), recently donating $10,000 toward the organization’s advocacy efforts. This is in addition to helping create the association and donating hundreds of hours advocating for the state’s film industry.

    “This is about job creation and economic investment at a time when both are desperately needed,” said David Haddad, owner of Haddad’s. “This is for the thousands of hardworking men and women who want to work in their home state of Michigan. The time is now!”

    In December, legislation was introduced in the state House to create a two-tiered tax credit that provides incentives for Michigan-produced commercials as well as film, television and streaming productions. Sen. Adam Hollier plans to reintroduce the legislation this session. The action comes at a time when over 30 states offer film incentives and, in turn, receive the jobs, economic boost and related peripheral benefits from a multi-billion-dollar industry.

    “We want Michigan talent to stay in Michigan,” said Haddad, whose offices include a Detroit location. “The outpouring of supporters has been tremendous. Now, we need the resources to take our advocacy efforts across the finish line.”

    Film advocates, like Haddad, who co-chairs MiFIA, continue to educate state lawmakers on the legislation, which took more than three years to research and write. Drafters call the bills responsible to state taxpayers and a sound investment in Michigan’s economy.

  • Wednesday, February 03, 2021 1:57 PM | Anonymous

    How the Michigan Film Tax Incentives affect Filmmaking in Michigan
    Shot on Location on the set of "Betty Anne Waters" in Detroit

    March 17, 2009


  • Saturday, January 30, 2021 10:54 AM | Anonymous

    Carol Cain, Detroit Free Press Business Columnist

    Is it time to bring back film incentives to Michigan?

    Count state Sen. Adam Hollier as one who thinks the time is right. Hollier is getting set to jump-start the conversation in Lansing with fellow legislators as he holds workshops to get feedback and input on a proposed plan by the Michigan Film Industry Association. If all goes well, he’s planning to introduce a bill in the Senate in March.

    Read the full article.

  • Friday, January 29, 2021 3:51 PM | Anonymous
  • Friday, January 29, 2021 9:07 AM | Anonymous

    Film, TV and Commercials has become a global industry. In order to be competitive, many states offer a film incentive program.  There are currently over 30 states that have some sort of a film incentive program.

    Without a program of our own, Michigan loses that work, or gets overlooked in favor of other states that do.

    MIFIA’s plan for a sustainable film tax credit program.

    The basics.

    1.) A two-tiered program that covers both commercials/industrials and also feature film/television/streaming productions.

    2.) It is a transferable tax credit, based system, rather than a grant or rebate based one. This means no money paid out of the general fund to applicants.

    3.) Also, applicants may sell off unused tax credits to other Michigan based companies. Typically, at a percentage on the dollar, making them attractive to purchase. The tax credit stays in Michigan and benefits Michigan companies. 

    4.) Available tax credit ‘funds’ (Feature and Commercial) are independent of each other. The cap for each, increases at regular 3-year intervals over a 10-year period.

                For Film, $50 Million, $75 Million and $100 Million.

                For Commercials, $2 Million, $4 Million and $10 Million.

                Any unused funds, roll over into the next calendar year.

    5.) To qualify, production companies must start production within 90 days of approval, with the following minimum spend:

    $300,000.00 minimum for feature film, television productions 20 minutes or longer.

    $50,000.00 minimum for a single commercial, campaign, industrial or other projects under 20 minutes in final runtime.

    6.) Application Fees.

    $2,000.00 for Feature film, Television and Streaming productions 20 minutes or longer.

                $1,000.00 for commercial, industrial projects under 20 minutes.

                Application Fees are non-refundable.

    7.) The base tax credit awarded starts at 25% for in state spending with an additional 5% awarded for the inclusion of a TBD ‘Filmed in Michigan’ logo.

    8.) Almost all aspects of film/commercial production ranging from pre-production, production and post production qualify. ‘Development’ costs do not qualify.

    9.) We are putting Michigan workers first by awarding a 30% tax credit for hiring Michigan residents. Non-residents are awarded at 20%. Any wages paid out to a single person, per project, in excess of $500,000.00 do not qualify for a tax credit.

    10.)  The bill includes language defining what constitutes a “Full time employee.”  This will help support a more accurate count when tracking increased jobs creation in the film industry as a result of the tax credit.

    11.)  Protecting Michigan based companies and encouraging new business investment by including language that excludes ‘Pass-Through’ transactions and businesses from qualifying for the Film tax credit.  Qualified vendors will need to show a brick and mortar / Inventory / full time employee presence.

    12). Speed. Under a tax credit based system, there is less initial burden on the film office and treasury, applications can be processed faster. Qualified expenditures are proven on the back end before a credit amount is issued. 

    13.)  Accountability. The bill includes language that requires verification by an independent CPA to submit qualified expenditures for approval. It also states that no tax credits will be authorized or issued to any applicant until there is confirmation that all qualified vendor and employee invoices have been fully satisfied and paid in full.  This ensures that the Treasury can collect the taxes before issuing a credit.


Michigan Film Industry Association (MiFIA)
117 E Kalamazoo St

Lansing, MI 48933

(517) 580 - 7710

mifia@mifia.org

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