Lights, camera, Jacksonville.
Legislation approved by the Jacksonville City Council on May 28 includes three new programs aimed at attracting film and television production to the city.
Mayor Donna Deegan’s office touted the new legislation, Ordinance 2024-0286, in a May 31 news release.
“These programs will allow Jacksonville to compete with other Florida cities who have similar programs, which will ultimately have a significant economic impact in our area,” she said in the release.
The programs will be managed by the Jacksonville Film & Television Office, a division of the Office of Economic Development. They are:
• The Jacksonville Film & Television Program, which offers rebates to producers for hiring area professionals and purchasing goods and services from local businesses. Based on total qualified expenditures in the region, the incentive will be offered in two tiers. One offers a 15% rebate for $400,000 in expenditures, capped at $149,999. Tier 2 offers a 20% rebate for $1 million in expenditures, capped at $400,000.
• The Jacksonville Commercial Production Program provides rebates for ad producers for local expenditures. The program offers a 15% rebate for $75,000 in expenditures, capped at $150,000.
• The Jacksonville Fostering Filmmakers Grant Program provides matching funding for local filmmakers making motion pictures aimed at distribution through theaters, streaming services or film festivals. Applicants must provide proof of a minimum of $10,000 in matching funds. Up to three $10,000 matching grants may be awarded per fiscal year.
According to the release, total funding for all three programs is $539,847. The programs were initially recommended by the Mayor’s Transition and Budget Committees.
For more information, visit www.filmjax.com.
In the early 1900s, Jacksonville was home to a thriving movie production industry, with more than 30 studios producing films in the city. According to news accounts, competition from Hollywood and cultural friction between local residents and the industry workforce led studios to relocate.