Welcome to the PA Film Industry Association!

PA Film Industry Association (PaFIA) is a group of like-minded individuals and companies who have joined forces to form the voice of those interested in promoting business growth in the film, television and commercial industry in Pennsylvania. We are the first and only state-wide trade association for the industry. Key to our mission is having a single voice for the industry in the Commonwealth, working on important initiatives such as the Film Tax Credit.


In the News

Lobbyist Reports


Lobbyist Report
May 15, 2013
By Robin Ross

The Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office issued its revenue predictions for the remainder of this fiscal year and next year. The report stated that the revenue surplus of $230 million predicted in the Governor’s 2011/2012 budget will not be achieved. Further, they predict that there will be a revenue short fall of $520 million for next fiscal year. That means that the Governor and the General Assembly will have to cut state spending from current levels by $520 million or raise taxes to balance next year’s budget. I am optimistic that the film tax credit will not be cut, but my hope that it’s cap will be raised are fading. Poor sales tax receipts seem to be the problem. Let’s hope that revenue ticks up over the next several months.

Lobbyist Report
April 24, 2013
By Robin Ross

Last week the Joint Senate and House Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing on the Pennsylvania Film Tax Credit Program. All members of the Senate and House Democratic caucuses are members of these committees. Policy committees play no role in the legislative process. They serve as forums for policy discussions and fact finding.

The hearing on the Film Tax Credit was chaired by Senator Boscola and Representative Sturla. All of the organizations in the Pennsylvania film industry including PaFIA were represented. The witnesses testimony contained overwhelming evidence of the film tax credit programs success. They also made compelling arguments for lifting or abolishing the cap on the program. The members of the committee expressed strong support for the program and for raising the cap.

Once again, we are seeing growing support for the Film Tax Credit, which can now be characterized as bi-partisan. I believe that our chances of raising the cap for next year’s fiscal year are improving. The nagging problem continues to be reports of tax receipts, which are not meeting expectations. Because Pennsylvania’s Constitution requires the budget to be balanced, it will be a challenge to find funds in the revenue projections for the next fiscal year to raise the cap. I am attaching a link to a column that was written about the Policy Committee hearing by Pete DeCoursey for Capitolwire, which I believe captures the mood of the hearing.

OFF THE FLOOR: Film Tax Credit rescue too late to save Captain America, a Capitolwire Column By Peter L. DeCoursey, Bureau Chief

 

 


Archive

Special Announcement

Letter From Chair and Executive Director

Click here for a message from PaFIA's Chair and Executive Director.

PaFIA Reception!
April 14
Four Seasons Hotel
Philadelphia, PA

PAFIA would like to thank everyone that came to the reception in Philadelphia at the Four Seasons and supported the individuals whose work contributed to Pennsylvania's new child labor law!

PAFIA would also like to thank: The Four Seasons Hotel for donating their beautiful facilities and providing our members with complimentary Hors d'oeuvres and dessert, Heery Casting for donating the programs for the reception, SAG-AFTRA for becoming a sponsor, Mimi Hudacheck, David Krakow, Shelley Figures, Sara Goulet, David Raynor, Robin Ross, David Haddad, Scott Robinette, Rep. Thomas Murt, Paul Petersen, Diane Heery and John Wooten!

Click here to read the event recap and to see photos of the reception!

Pinewood Shepperton PLC and River’s Rock LLC Announce Pinewood Atlanta

Pinewood Shepperton plc and River’s Rock LLC together announce a joint venture to be named Pinewood Atlanta, a full service film and entertainment studio complex comprised of five sound stages on 288 acres in Fayetteville, Georgia USA, just south of Atlanta. The project is fully funded and will become a world- class studio for the production of film, television, music and video games.

The direct economic benefits of film production in the State of Georgia came to nearly $3.1 billion in 2012 and positively impacted thousands of businesses, from hotels, restaurants, grocery stores and rental car companies to hard- ware stores, lumber yards, garden nurseries, heavy equipment rentals and office supply companies. Please click here to read the full press release.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette Article About Independent Filmmaking PaFIA Event!

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette wrote a very complimentary article about PaFIA's independent filmmaking event March 15th at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel! The event featured independent filmmakers Brian Hartman, Paula Gregg, Gavin Rapp, Ron Hankison, Randy Kovitz, John Mowod and Frank Johnson. Click here to read the article.

According to a study by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp., for every dollar the state invests in film tax credits, it receives a rate of return of at least $1.13. Click here to read the article in it's entirety.

Governor Cuomo Announces New Post-Production Tax Credit Attracting Record Number of Applicants
Applications to New York State for post-production work has doubled in the past
year due to legislation signed into law by Governor Cuomo in 2012. This legislation
strengthened incentives to attract post-production in the state and is estimated
that this work will generate $23 million in spending in New York. Please click here to read the full release.

Jennifer Lawrence won the female actor in a leading role honor at the 19th annual
Screen Actors Guild Award for her role in Silver Linings Playbook. Click here
to read an article about her acting honor from the Los Angeles Times.

Governor Martin O'Malley's budget for 2014 includes raising the tax credit used
to attract film and television productions to Maryland to $25 million, up from $7.5
million in fiscal 2013. Please click here to read the entire article.

Please click here to read an article from Variety about filming in PA. "Incentives
inspire growth of studios and crew: Scout & About: Pennsylvania 2013"

 

 


Become a Member

Be informed of important industry updates, ongoing initiatives to support the Film Tax Credit and networking opportunities.

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Featured Member

Pennsylvania Film Industry Association is pleased to announce Chris Palazzi as the new PaFIA Treasurer and a member of the PaFIA Executive Committee.

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Support the Film Tax Credit

I pledge to visit, write, and/or call the Governor, State Representative and State Senator.

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