Earlier this month, Governor Hochul announced transformational changes to extend and enhance the New York State Film Tax Credit Program as part of the historic FY 2024 New York State Budget. These changes include increasing the annual allocation from $420 million to $700 million, extending the program by five years from 2029 through 2034, increasing the base credit percent from 25% to 30%, including double capped above-the-line wages as qualified costs, and more. This new credit will have a major impact Upstate, where productions can receive up to 40% credit for filming in most Upstate counties.

New York State Budget changes to the New York City Musical & Theatrical Tax Credit Program include a two-year program extension, $100 million increase in funding, and expanded eligibility for certain smaller “off Broadway” productions.

Read on for more updates from the Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development (MPTV):

Virtual Information Sessions: NYS Film Tax Credit Changes

The Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development is holding virtual information sessions to inform the industry of the newly expanded film tax credit program and answer questions. The first two sessions were held on May 10 and May 24 and were enthusiastically attended by nearly 400 industry professionals.

The next information session will take place on Wednesday, June 14. MPTV looks forward to hosting more information sessions and continuing the conversation about the exciting developments taking place in New York’s film and television industry. Over the next several months, MPTV will continue to update all materials including websites, applications, guidelines, and regulations to reflect these exciting changes.

Keeping our Communities Camera-Ready

On May 23, MPTV partnered with Film Albany to present a virtual fam tour led by Albany Film Commissioner Debby Goedeke. Attendees learned about filming in the City of Albany and Albany County and were taken on a virtual tour of many stunning area locations that have been used by productions like Succession, Billions, The Gilded Age, and White House Plumbers, to name a few. Attendees also heard from location manager Steve Grivno, who shared his experience working on White House Plumbers in the Capital Region.

Next, MPTV will head to Western NY to present a virtual fam tour with Buffalo Film Commissioner Tim Clark on June 29. Then we will travel back down the Hudson to present a virtual fam tour with Hudson Valley Film Commissioner Laurent Rejto on July 11.

To familiarize filmmakers with New York State’s many film-friendly and camera-ready agencies and the locations and resources they offer, MPTV will also host a virtual event with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) on July 25. The Port Authority will present New York State locations available for filming, provide information about filming protocols at their sites, and answer questions submitted by attendees.

Keep an eye out for more information about upcoming events with State agencies, regional film offices, and other partners about all New York has to offer filmmakers!

Investing in New York State Arts and Culture

Governor Hochul continues to support the many artists and creative organizations that call the Empire State home and enhance New York State arts and culture. Governor Hochul recently announced $82 million in New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) grants are now available for nonprofit arts and culture organizations and individual artists across New York State.

The Governor also announced $24 million in funding for 28 projects across the state through Round XII of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. Congratulations to all the winning projects, especially the Social Impact Content Film School, which plans a state-of-the-art film school at its Downtown Yonkers campus, and the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, which will utilize grant funds to implement and promote special events to attract filmmakers and tourists from around the world. Round XIII of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative was recently launched and the New York State Consolidated Funding Application is now open.

Governor Hochul also announced a plan to upgrade the Apollo Media Center in East Buffalo to support job training, youth programming and media production. The $962,000 state investment will help the Center acquire new equipment to expand media education to City residents who own a business and provide a safe creative outlet for young people to explore music and art, while also teaching skills in video production and coding to help familiarize them with media careers.

For more information, or to get in touch with the Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development, please contact 212-803-2330 or nyfilm@esd.ny.gov.