Why Film Matters

For decades, Utah has been a premier destination for filmmakers.

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Utah now finds itself in a very different place. Today, production companies are being lured away from other states offering better tax incentives and it is driving film investment away from our state. Action must be taken to stop the film exodus.

Film Stimulates Utah's Economy

  • The film industry pumps hundreds of millions of dollars into our state
  • Since 2012, over $447 million has been spent in-state by film studios
  • 29% of production costs are pumped directly into Utah's economy
  • Industry employs locals
  • Crews dine in our restaurants and stay in our hotels
  • Utahns hired for set construction
  • Industry pays high wages ($29.70 per hour vs. $7.75 minimum wage)
  • Crews average 600 hours = $26,000 per worker

Boosts Rural Utah

  • In 2020, 58% of Utah's film permits were for rural areas
  • The number of people ages 20-29 leaving Utah's rural communities is at an all-time high
  • The film industry creates high-paying jobs that will enable residents to stay

Film Drives Tourism

  • Film drives tourism
  • 4 in 10 people chose a vacation destination based on a film or TV series
  • Film delivered 2.2 million trips to Utah = $6 billion over the past ten years

The production "Skinwalker Ranch" has driven tourism to our area in a way that we have never experienced. People from around the country come to check out the ranch because of what they saw on screen, staying in our motels, eating at our restaurants. It is having an impact on our communities.

Thomas Winterton

Utah Film at Risk

  • Utah's film market is starting to collapse--film projects are leaving Utah
  • Yellowstone & High School Musical are no longer filmed in Utah
  • Even the BYUtv series "Dwight in Shining Armor" is now filmed in Georgia
  • Productions being lured away by other states offering better tax incentives
  • Utah's cap makes it difficult to compete
  • Utah is one of the lowest 33 states offering tax incentives

State By State

Georgia
=
No cap
California
=
$660 million
New York
=
$420 million
Louisiana
=
$150 million
New Mexico
=
$110 million
New Jersey
=
$100 million
Pennsylvania
=
$70 million
Utah
=
$8.29 million
$12 million for rural areas

What does this mean for Utah?

  • Utah gets burned
  • Rural areas take the biggest hit
  • Utah--not Hollywood-- benefits our film industry
  • Utah’s unique terrain is not enough of a draw
  • Studies show that a state’s tax incentive is the number one priority in location selection
  • Technology can make anything look like Utah
  • Small restaurant owners miss out on a daily per diem
  • Hotels lose room reservations
  • Film students can’t find consistent work
  • Local contractors no longer getting hired to build movie sets

Film Creates Career Paths

  • Every year, roughly two thousand film students graduate from our universities
  • Consistent employment opportunities are not available
  • Most Utah filmmakers leaving to find stable employment

Stop the Exodus

  • Cinema Slopes wants to stop films from going to other states
  • Help us elevate Utah's film industry
  • Let's keep films coming to our state!
  • We need your help!