IT’S TIME TO TAKE ACTION FOR THE FLORIDA FILM INDUSTRY!

It’s time to get this grassroots movement off the ground and make our voices heard!

Together, we can work to bring a state-wide film incentive back to Florida 

and create new opportunities for our state’s filmmakers, production companies, 

cast, crew, and communities.

Now is the time to get involved. Every letter and donation counts. We the people…the hard working members of the film community can make a difference! There are three i

Let’s get Florida’s film industry moving forward—together!

Traci Danielle

Brevard Talent Group

I have been a talent agent for close to 40 years. I started when Florida was third in the nation for film production, when Universal and Disney/MGM Studios were built and Florida was known as “Hollywood East”.  A combination of infrastructure and state incentives help attract productions to our state. During the administrations of Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis, Florida’s film incentive program was phased out. At the same time, Georgia, Louisiana, and New Mexico—expanded aggressive tax credit programs to attract productions. The red state of Texas passed a $1.5 billion film incentive for over ten years. Oklahoma, a deep red state has the “Filmed in Oklahoma Act”. If they can do – so can Florida!

The Amazon MGM Studios TV show “The Challenger” (based on the space shuttle disaster) is filming in Atlanta. “Miami Vice 85” will be filming in New York and for a few weeks in Miami. The ABC/Hulu show “RJ Decker” is set in Ft. Lauderdale and films the majority of principal photography in Wilmington, NC. These are just a few examples of projects that could have shot entirely in Florida. I hope you are as frustrated as I am that Florida can not compete with states who have a solid film incentive. We are losing jobs and millions of economic impact!

A state film incentive is not a partisan issue. The film and television industry create jobs across a wide range of professions—skilled trades, creative talent, hospitality, and more—allowing Floridians to build sustainable careers without leaving the state. Florida residents and the state are losing money, while states who have a film incentive reap the benefits.  Reestablishing a competitive incentive would help bring those opportunities back.

It is time for Florida to become a player again. I am confident we will earn the support of many in Florida’s film community and can make a difference. If we don’t try – we don’t succeed! 

WHAT CAN YOU DO? If you are a believer like I am, we can work together and let our next Governor know the importance of the film industry in our state and how an incentive could affect your life. Byron Donalds is the Republican nominee and David Jolly is the Democratic nominee. You must register to vote by October 5. If voting by mail you must request your mail-in ballot by October 22. Election day is on November 3rd. Make sure you are registered and your voting eligibility is current.

https://dos.fl.gov/elections/for-voters/election-dates

IT IS TIME TO RALLY! Please share this email or create your own personalized email and send to your business associates, family and friends and ask them to pass this important message on to others. Decide who you will vote for, donate to their campaign, write a letter stating your donation, the reason you support a film incentive and you are counting on their support. WRITE AND MAKE A DONATION to one or both candidates! No amount is too small. The amount of voters who support this cause will make a difference.

Byron Donalds for Governor

6017 Pine Ridge Road # 361

Naples, FL  34119

Jolly for Governor

P. O. Box 266

Indian Rocks Beach, FL  33785

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Contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes. Contributions from foreign nationals are prohibited. The maximum contribution is $3,000 per individual or corporation, per election. You must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident (i.e., green card holder) using your own funds, and not funds being provided to you from another person or entity for the purpose of making a donation. 

ITEM # 2 HR 721

Below is a link to a blog Ray Watters wrote explaining HR 721 and the letter he wrote to his representative. If the bill does not become law by the end of the 119^th Congress (January 3, 2027), it will die in committee. 

This is a bipartisan bill introduced by Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Judy Chu (D-CA). Write to your representative from Congress expressing your desire to have this bill passed.

https://www.raywatters.com/post/actors-pay-attention-h-r-721-is-the-role-we-all-need-cast-public-service-announcement-from-an

H.R. 721 — Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2025

H.R. 721 is a bipartisan tax bill introduced in the House on January 24, 2025, by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL). It is intended to make the federal tax treatment of working performing artists more practical by expanding their ability to deduct unreimbursed work expenses.

In simple terms, the bill would:

• Remove the current $16,000 AGI limit that prevents many performing artists from claiming the special above-the-line deduction for qualifying business expenses. 
• Increase the minimum payment requirement for each employer from $200 to $500, with inflation adjustments beginning in 2026. 
• Allow qualifying artists to deduct commissions paid to their managers or agents as performing-artist business expenses. 
• Instead of abruptly losing the deduction once income exceeds the old limit, the bill would phase out the deduction as income rises above $100,000 ($200,000 for married couples filing jointly), eventually eliminating it above $120,000 ($240,000 joint). 

Why it matters

Under current law, a qualifying performing artist can potentially deduct expenses such as travel, instruments/equipment, costumes, and other unreimbursed work expenses above the line—but the existing income restriction can exclude artists who earn more than $16,000. H.R. 721 is designed to extend that tax treatment to a much broader group of working performers.

Current status: H.R. 721 has not become law. It was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on January 24, 2025, and remains in committee. 

ITEM # 3 FILM USA 

Thanks to Tony Armer and John Lux at Film Florida for the information below.

Our friends at Film USA are working with a broad coalition of industry organizations, labor unions, actors, directors, producers, film commissioners, studios, crew members, vendors, and other members of the film and television community to support the creation of a federal film and television production incentive.Signatures are being collected from members of Florida’s film and television industry in support of the letter below, which will be delivered to Florida’s U.S. Senators and Members of Congress. If you support the effort, click below to read the letter and complete the form to add your name.

Can I count on your support for all three of these critical priorities? This is an important moment for the future of film production in Florida and the United States. Your commitment to these efforts will help demonstrate that Florida is serious about strengthening its film and television industry and we are ready for a change!

Traci Danielle

Brevard Talent Group