An Act To Provide Maine Tourism and Industry Collaborative Film Grants

Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §13090-M  is enacted to read:

§ 13090-M.  Tourism and Industry Collaborative Film Grant Program

summary

This bill establishes the Tourism and Industry Collaborative Film Grant Program within the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Tourism to promote Maine tourism and industry and assist in job creation through grants for feature film projects that promote Maine's natural resources and industries. The program will provide grants from the Tourism and Industry Collaborative Film Grants Fund of up to $500,000 for eligible feature film projects, not to exceed 40% of the feature film's production budget, to be paid upon the feature film's completion. The bill provides that money in the fund may be distributed to eligible feature film projects initially as a loan during preproduction and production of the feature film. The bill requires that, in order to receive grant funds upon completion, the feature film project must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Office of Tourism that the feature film has a production budget over $250,000, features at least one primary Maine industry, tells a story that is set in Maine for at least 75% of the film and features outdoor locations in Maine for at least 25% of the film. The feature film project must also have filmed on location in Maine for at least 75% of the film. The bill requires a feature film project to provide film footage for state tourism promotion activities.