New Film & Television Programs to Attract Production Business to Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Florida, May 31, 2024 — Earlier this week, the Jacksonville City Council passed legislation 2024-0286 Public Investment Policy (PIP), which includes three new programs that will be managed by the Jacksonville Film & Television Office, a division of the Office of Economic Development.

“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,” said Mayor Donna Deegan.

“I have been a working member of SAG/AFTRA, doing TV and Film for more than 20 years,” said City Council Member Rahman Johnson. “I am excited to support this effort that will attract business to Jacksonville and keep the production community in Jacksonville working for years to come.”

The programs are:

• The Jacksonville Film & Television Program, a performance-based rebate program structured to attract high wage unique film and television production opportunities to Jacksonville / Duval County that will hire area professionals and purchase goods and services from local businesses. The rebate program is based on the total qualified expenditures in Jacksonville / Duval County. The incentive will be distributed as a rebate after the production company provides proof of its local expenditures, hires, etc., through documentation that meets the criteria stated in the incentive agreement and/or incentive guidelines. There are two tiers:
  • Tier 1: offers a 15% rebate for $400,000 minimum qualified expenditures in Duval County, capped at $149,999.
  • Tier 2: offers a 20% rebate for $1,000,000 minimum qualified expenditures in Duval County, capped at $400,000.

For more information or to apply, visit: https://www.filmjax.com/incentive-program/film-television.

• The Jacksonville Commercial Production Program, a performance-based rebate program that is intended to attract high-impact television commercials to Jacksonville/Duval County. The incentive will be distributed as a rebate after the production company provides proof of its local spend, hires, etc., through documentation from a production accountant evidencing authorized expenditures that satisfies the criteria set forth in the incentive agreement and/or incentive guidelines. The program offers a 15% rebate for $75,000 minimum qualified expenditures in Duval County, capped at $150,000. For more information or to apply, visit: https://www.filmjax.com/incentive-program/jacksonville-commercial-program.

• The Jacksonville Fostering Filmmakers Grant Program, which seeks to foster independent filmmaking in Jacksonville by assisting local filmmakers with partial funding of locally produced motion pictures whose goal is wider distribution via theatrical, streaming services and/or film festivals. Applicants must provide proof of matching funds (minimum of $10,000) with the application along with other requirements, up to three $10,000 matching grants may be awarded through the Fostering Filmmakers Grant Program per fiscal year. For more information or to apply, visit: https://www.filmjax.com/incentive-program/fostering-film-making-program (note that this program has an application submission deadline of July 29, 2024).

The total funding for all three programs, which was initially recommended by the Mayor’s Transition and Budget Committees, is $539,847.

Additional information on these programs, and the Jacksonville Film & Television Office, can be found at www.filmjax.com.

About the City of Jacksonville 

The City of Jacksonville is the largest city by land mass in the contiguous United States, serving nearly one million residents. City of Jacksonville leadership includes Mayor Donna Deegan and a 19-member City Council led by President Ron Salem. To learn more, visit jacksonville.gov.