State and Local Incentives
From diverse landscapes to a solid crew base and low cost of living, Ohio offers a vast range of opportunities for your next production. The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit provides a refundable credit of 30 percent on production cast and crew wages plus other eligible in-state spending.
To be considered for the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit (OMPTC), eligible productions must spend a minimum of $300,000 per project in the state of Ohio.
For more information, application, and FAQs visit:
https://development.ohio.gov/business/ohio-film-office/ohio-film-program
OMPTC includes 30% rebate ATL and BTL.
NEW in 2024 will be the first Ohio local incentive for film. The 2024 Columbus Motion Picture Tax Credit (CMPTC) Pilot Program will go live October 2024.
Stay tuned for an application link. Sign up for our mailing list below to be notified when the application is live. Qualifying productions can receive a 10% rebate up to $20,000.
General eligibility requirements include:
• $150,000 minimum spend
• Open to film projects taking place in Franklin County
• Must hire 75% of crew from Franklin and contiguous counties
• At least 75% of filming days must be within Franklin and contiguous counties
• Can be stacked with OMPTC
CMPTC FAQs:
1) What’s the difference between a grant and an incentive? The incentive is scored and distributed differently. We look at economic impact and number of workforce utilized within Central Ohio. The incentive is given AFTER the project is completed.
2) How many incentives are available, and what are the amounts? There is no set limit on the number of incentives, but only $50,000 is available for this pilot program. A minimum of two awards ($20,000 max per project) will be given, but possibly more depending on the size of the projects submitted.
3) Why didn’t I hear much about the program when it was launched? Since this is a pilot program, and there were a very limited number of incentives available, we intentionally limited the promotion of the program so that those who may not have had immediate access to program details and necessary documentation would still be able to apply to receive an incentive. If we had advertised broadly, incentives would have been claimed quickly, and we would not have had an opportunity to reach a variety of audiences.
4) Why is there only $50,000 available? This pilot program is the first of its kind for Columbus and Ohio. We wanted to make it easy to get started and learn from the process. With limited resources and limited time, this is the amount that was readily available to provide.
5) How will applications be scored? Considerations will be given to the following:
• Number of local crew used (the more local crew, the higher the score)
• Number of shoot days (the more shoot days, the higher the economic impact, the higher the score)
• Estimated economic impact
• Commitment of additional projects/slates
• Feasibility of completion of project (past completed projects)
Steps needed to receive incentive:
1) Meet FIRST (live, via Zoom or similar, or phone) with Film Columbus to confirm eligibility, meeting must take place no later than two weeks before submission deadline
2) Fill out application in full
3) Provide all needed documentation (no exceptions)
4) Complete project/production
5) Complete audit report or provide receipts/spreadsheet for all Franklin County expenses
6) Rebate issued via ACH only
To schedule your initial meeting and confirm eligibility, email us: info@filmcolumbus.com.
The Fine Print:
Pilot Program Incentive Types:
• 10% Incentive (rebate) for projects spending $150k and over
• Max rebate of $20,000
Incentive Caps (Pilot Program):
• Up to $50,000 available in 2024
• Max $20,000 per project
• Max $5,000 total above-the-line (ATL) per project
Qualifications:
- Minimum spend of $150,000 within Franklin County
- Must employ at least 75% of crew from Franklin and contiguous counties
- Must shoot at least 75% of project within Franklin and contiguous counties
- Must show estimated economic impact (AFCI or similar formula accepted) and review with Film Columbus
- Must prove financial ability to undertake and complete project through documention showing secured funding of at least 50% of total production budget (bank statement(s) showing balance, signed investor contract(s), etc)
- Must show audit/proof of qualified expenditures after completion of project (at minimum, spreadsheet with receipts of all qualifying expenditures in Franklin County)
- $5000 ATL cap per project
- Producer(s) fee/rate may not exceed 50% of project budget
- Must start spending within 120 days of approval
- Subsequent interviews/promotions across all media related to project that are given after approval date must mention “Columbus, Ohio” as a primary filming location
- Pilot Program application open from October 1- November 15
- Award notifications no later than Dec 16
- Only one (1) application will be allowed per project and per company
- Script and detailed budget must be submitted with application in INDUSTRY STANDARD format, NO EXCEPTIONS
- Must provide ESTIMATED completion date
- All applications and awards are non-transferable
- Progress reports due at 120 days after date of award letter and on ESTIMATED completion date or completion date
- Credits must include GCAC and Film Columbus logos along with legal statement(s) holding harmless GCAC, Film Columbus, affiliates and funders
- Any unused funds will NOT be rolled over into 2025
- This Pilot Program does not guarantee future incentive programs
Approval ranking considerations:
• Number of local crew employed
• Number of shoot days (8-hour or more shoot days)
• Estimated economic impact
• Estimated tax revenue
• Commitment of additional projects/slates
Eligible Productions:
Feature-length narrative films; documentaries; long-form, specials, miniseries, series, and television programming; music videos; television pilot
OMPTC Production types may include:
- Commercial
- Digital Media
- Documentary
- Feature Film
- Interactive Game
- Interactive Television
- Interactive Website
- Interstitial Television Programming
- Long-Form Specials
- Mini-Series
- Music Video
- Pilot
- Series
- Sound Recording
- Trailer
- Video
- Video Game
- Video Teaser/Demo
Completed OMPTC application packet must include:
- Signed application form
- Production budget
- Shooting script and/or script synopsis
- Documentation of financial ability to undertake and complete the project