Virginia’s film incentive funding is depleted through 2026, and lawmakers face an urgent choice.
While neighboring states have tripled their incentives in the last decade, Virginia has remained relatively stagnant. Without immediate action, we risk losing major productions already interested in filming here. We have the skilled workforce, diverse locations, and proven track record — but our incentives are inadequate to land projects in the next two years.
The time is now to make these modest investments. We owe it to the 5,000+ workers in Virginia’s film industry, and to the next generation of creative professionals who want to build their careers here at home, to remain competitive.
Film industry professionals support SB1179, HB2108, and Budget Item 101 #1s — a bipartisan approach to make Virginia more economically competitive in the region.
A Wise And Worthy Investment
When Virginia invests in film, the returns are substantial. Economists, watchdogs, and Virginia’s largest newspaper editorial boards agree, because recent data regularly indicates shows our state’s efficiency at leveraging incentives outperforms even industry leaders:
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Massive Economic Impact
“Every $1 of film incentives generates $13 in economic activity in Virginia’s economy.” (Dr. Fletcher Magnum, Governor’s and General Assembly’s Joint Advisory Board of Economists; Past President of Virginia Association of Economists, 2022 report)
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Proven Returns on Investment
Virginia’s state government fiscal ROI is three times as high as Georgia’s, a leading film production state. (Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, December 2023)
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Driving Local Economies
92% of local film vendors employ fewer than 10 people. (Bureau of Labor Statistics via MPA, 2022 data)
Virginia should raise its cap on film and TV tax incentives. Even a modest increase would help boost Virginia’s competitiveness, and the return on investment can be substantial.
Virginian-Pilot Editorial, May 2024
The film business is good for the regional and state economy. So we hope the General Assembly will act favorably on legislation that seeks to add to the grant-awarding Motion Picture Opportunity Fund.
Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial, February 2021
“We Are Virginia” Promotional Video featuring Pharrell Williams
Virginia trails the competition
Nationally, we rank 35th out of 40 states or territories that use incentives. Regionally, we rank 10th out of 11. We simply cannot compete with other states. As a result, we lose out on significant economic activity and force our highly-skilled workforce to leave Virginia.
| Georgia | no annual funding cap |
| West Virginia | no cap |
| Pennsylvania | $100M cap |
| New Jersey | $100M |
| Kentucky | $75M |
| North Carolina | $31M |
| Maryland | $20M |
| South Carolina | $17M |
| Tennessee | $13M |
| Virginia | $10.5M |
The trends are bypassing Virginia
According to the NCSL, “at least 22 states have enacted measures to implement or expand film tax incentives” since 2021. Our neighbors have acted decisively.
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Maryland
212%
increase in tax incentives since 2019
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North Carolina
249%
increase in tax incentives since 2014
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Tennessee
465%
increase in tax incentives since 2021
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Virginia
0%
increase in funding for the Motion Picture Tax Credit program since 2015 Including nominal adjustments for inflation (which would total roughly $2.5M).
Missed opportunities
We have a long list of projects that considered Virginia, but ultimately decided to go elsewhere. It isn’t because we need better locations, nor is it because we need better crews. It is because Virginia did not have sufficient incentives. Period.
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Secretariat
A movie about a horse from Virginia, with a director from Virginia. Considered Virginia, but filmed in Kentucky and Louisiana.
$30M
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Hidden Figures
Oscar-winning film telling an iconic Virginia story. Considered Virginia, but filmed in Georgia.
$45.5M
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George & Tammy
Golden Globe-winning limited series. Considered Virginia, but filmed in North Carolina.
$91M
Send a note to your elected state representatives to support an increase in film incentives in 2025.
This isn’t about Hollywood. It’s about Virginia jobs and Virginia’s future.
Write to your representatives today. Tell them: Movies made in Virginia mean good-paying careers for Virginians.
Here’s a sample email you can copy-paste, though we encourage you to personalize it with your story to increase your impact!
Sample Subject:
Support SB1179, HB2108, and Budget Item 101 #1s -- Save Virginia Film!
Sample Letter:
To my representatives in the Virginia General Assembly:
I write in support of urgent action to strengthen Virginia’s film industry.
Right now, Virginia has no film incentive funding available until 2026. This means we’re already losing opportunities to states like Maryland and North Carolina. We have several major productions interested in filming here soon – productions that would create thousands of jobs in every corner of the Commonwealth. But without competitive incentives, they’ll take these opportunities elsewhere.
Please support SB1179, HB2108, Budget Item 101 #1s to keep film jobs in Virginia.
Our industry can’t afford to wait. Productions are making decisions now about where to film in 2025 and 2026. With your support, we can bring these jobs and investments to Virginia communities.
As a constituent, I thank you for your consideration.