The Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) has introduced a Film Incentive Grant Program to encourage more film and television productions in South Florida. Through this initiative, eligible projects can request funding covering one-fourth of their local expenditures on the island, up to $50,000, to help subsidize production costs. Qualifying expenses include venue rental fees for Miami Beach locations and equipment rentals from Miami-Dade County businesses, such as trucks, cameras, lighting, props, and tents.
"For decades, Miami Beach has welcomed a variety of production teams and film crews, recognizing the need for ample accommodations and diverse locations to enhance filming and audience engagement," said MBVCA Chairwoman Peggy Benua.
The program requires projects to reserve at least 200 hotel room nights in Miami Beach and commit to filming on the island for seven full production days or 50% of the total production.
Florida was a top destination for film productions until 2016, when the state's incentive program expired. Between 2010 and 2016, approximately $242 million in tax credits went to production companies, resulting in millions of dollars injected into the South Florida economy through films like "Ballers," "Entourage," and "Burn Notice." After the incentives ended, many productions shifted to states like Georgia and North Carolina. Direct spending by the film industry in Miami-Dade County, which had exceeded $400 million annually, dropped to around $200 million after the state's incentives lapsed.
In 2017, Miami-Dade County launched its own film and television incentives for productions that produce 70% of their content locally and employ local residents. The MBVCA also highlighted Miami Beach's Art Deco hotels, palatial homes, and ocean views as prime backdrops for film and television productions. "Production scouts can easily explore Miami Beach through our interactive app options, including the new EXP Miami Beach Tours App," said Executive Director Grisette Marcos.
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