AFCI Locations Show

A Los Angeles Times panel moderated by Richard Verrier

Film incentives have radically changed the dynamics of production, both domestically and throughout the world. And while the best have been successful at attracting production and building local economic development, they have not been without controversy. Issues such as program mismanagement, inter-state competition, political opposition to “Hollywood bail-outs”, and the sheer cost of participating in the race for business have seen film incentive programs reduced, capped or eliminated entirely. California of course has not been immune to these pressures either, and while the California film incentive program has successfully competed to retain some business that would undoubtedly otherwise been lost, it has also been criticized for offering “too little, too late.”

So where is the future taking us? What will the film incentive environment look like in five to ten years?  Will we see a proliferation of more conservative programs with higher thresholds and lower returns?  And if incentives diminish, will we see production budgets slashed or will other funding models appear to fill the gaps? Without "runaway" incentives, would there be an automatic return to the glory days of Hollywood? This panel will investigate, with the inspired inputs of top producers, directors and film commissions.