As international filmmakers visit Missouri, lawmakers move forward with movie tax credits
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
With the 2023 True/False Film Fest underway, about 55 films will be featured in screenings over the weekend. While most of the documentaries and short films are from out-of-state, a bill recently passed in the Missouri Senate in hopes of attracting more filmmakers to base their projects in Missouri.
The main goal of the "Show MO Act" is to attract movie sets by offering tax credits for film projects and crews. The amount spent on the project would correlate with the percentage of tax credits granted. Monday, that bill passed with a vote of 20-12 in the Senate.
Ellen Young and Hailey Morris, True/False attendees and Columbia residents, said they’re in favor of bringing more films to Missouri.
“I think it would be great for the state,” Young said. “Missouri has a lot to offer, like our outdoor spaces throughout the state, and our state parks. But then we also have so many urban areas that can be used for different film settings.”
“I mean, it would make Missouri more noticeable,” Morris added.
Similar tax incentives like the ones proposed were in place for Missouri but then expired in November 2013. Young said she heard extra buzz about Gone Girl, the 2014 film that used Missouri for scenes throughout the movie.
“I think it's cool when we've seen Missouri as a setting in the past,” Young said. “You say, ‘yeah, I've been to Lake the Ozarks,’ or, ‘I've been to Cape where it was filmed.’ So I think it would make a lot more people interested, even if the plot wasn't of interest.”
The bill passes on to the Missouri House of Representatives, where it awaits further discussion. If the bill is signed into law, it could go into effect as soon as the end of August.
Some lawmakers have argued that the payout for the tax incentives would be more than the revenue the state would receive. However, others say the potential for an increase for local Missouri businesses and hotels would make the bill worth it.
“I think bringing more jobs to our state and highlighting what we have to offer can only benefit the state and the people who live here,” Young added.
