Future offerings are planned in international locations at key industry events, the first being the AFCI Cineposium International Conference held November 19-23 in Wellington, New Zealand.

At the Locations Trade Show, U.S. film offices offering incentives received a lot of attention. Florida’s large contingent not only served fresh orange juice to thirsty industry reps, but also offered a generous cash rebate of up to 22 percent on most Florida expenditures and a sales tax redemption, which can save the filmmaker more than another six percent. Plus, the state boasted that it houses 42,000 entertainment professionals and more than 3,000 industry vendors. Florida also has a full-time Los Angeles office headed by Susan Simms.

New Mexico called attention to its “painless 25 percent tax rebate,” which the film office stressed is “a refund, not a credit.” The state has a film investment loan program too, among many other incentives. The Michigan Film Office noted that Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has signed legislation offering filmmakers a 40 percent tax credit for movies made in that state. Ken Chapa from the Arizona Film Office let folks know about the 20-30 percent transferable tax credits for qualified productions.

Countries trying to develop their film industry also placed a lot of emphasis on tax incentives. Fiji, for example, touted its 15 percent rebate and the added lure of tax-free income if you operate from an established Studio City Zone.

Up and down the aisles of the trade show, plenty of other incentives called out for attention. Booths offered countless treats, from Alabama’s roasted peanuts and Icelandic spring water to sweet Baklava from Jordan, and chocolate “Buckeyes” from Ohio.