BruceOrosz de ACT Productions
After several years without tax incentives for local production in Florida, organizations such as the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) and municipalities such as Miami Dade, Miami Beach, North Miami, Broward, and Palm Beach have worked hard to create some local incentives representing now 15 to 17% return for every million dollars invested in a project.
“We keep fighting that battle. If you shoot in Dade County you get 10% (US$100,000 on every million invested), in Miami Beach you can add US$15,000 to US$30,000. You can have access to various incentives from the municipalities, but it takes more effort,” said Bruce Orosz, Chairman of GMCVB and CEO of the production company ACT Productions.
However, the percentage granted by these municipalities is still well below the 30% available in other states, such as in the west of the country. “Not only the Bureau but also Dade County, are working very hard to increase incentives. We are looking to create a much larger fund to help replace the tax incentives that the state canceled. This is a long process, but the fight is worth it,” said Orosz.
He explained that the Bureau is always promoting Miami as a production destination at events like Content Americas, NATPE, and Kidscreen, to name a few. They want to organize more tours with directors and producers, who visit the city at events such as Content Americas and Natpe, to explore the region, including the Everglades, Hialeah, and Little Havana, “to show them the diversity and opportunities that this community can offer. Not just the beach settings,” he pointed out. It is very important for the industry to know that Miami not only has “great locations but great crews and all the knowledge and experience that most studios want.”
Orosz also referred to the fact that in 2024 Miami will be the center of two important events for the industry such as Content Americas and the return of Natpe. Regarding the latter, he assured that it is returning next year and that the organization behind it wants Miami to be the venue because they consider it “attractive.” “Miami is the center of events in the US.”
