MPA and Unions Tout Jobs Gains From Federal Film Incentive: ‘The Story Is Undeniable’

A coalition of unions joined with the Motion Picture Association on Tuesday to unveil a report showing that a federal film incentive would reverse the decline of domestic production and create 143,500 jobs per year.

The MPA held a Zoom press conference with actor Jon Voight and Reps. Laura Friedman and Brian Jack, the bill’s Democratic and Republican co-authors, to showcase bipartisan backing for the measure.

The report argues that a 20% credit on production labor costs would double the domestic industry by 2032, leading to $125.3 billion in additional expenditures cumulatively through 2035.

“The story it tells is undeniable,” said Sean Astin, the president of SAG-AFTRA. “We have to do this. We are going to lose the primacy of entertainment production if we don’t do this. That’s not hyperbole.”

The MPA has been working to rally Republican support for the idea, and got a major boost when President Trump endorsed it last month. The lobbying group has argued that a federal incentive would benefit not just Los Angeles and New York, but workers in all 50 states.

Jack, a Republican from the Atlanta suburbs, said that he looks forward to working with Democrats and with Trump on the proposal, saying that his district has been hit hard by the downturn.

“I represent craftsmen, technicians, electricians that now are on second, third, fourth jobs because the jobs they thought they were moving to Georgia for are no longer there,” he said. “Over the coming weeks and months, it’s going to be critical for members of Congress across both chambers, from the House to Senate, to be aware of the positive economic impact.”

A bill has not yet been introduced, but the text expected to be released sometime this month. Supporters are hopeful that it could pass by the end of the year, though some caution that it will take more time.

“We have everything I think teed up in a nice way, but we’ve got to get this right,” said Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO of the MPA, on the Zoom. “It’s got to really work and work for all 50 states and all Americans, and that’s what we’re striving to do right now.”

A photo of Rivkin with President Emmanuel Macron of France could be seen in the background of Rivkin’s Zoom screen. Asked whether France or other countries might increase their own subsidies in response to a U.S. incentive, he said that he had recently met with Macron and other international leaders.

“Everyone in the world that I’ve spoken to understands the fact that we, the U.S., needs to be more competitive,” Rivkin said. “Our tax policy hasn’t kept up with the world. So they certainly don’t fault us for wanting to play on the same playing field as everybody else.”

Voight, who has done more than anyone to bring Trump on board, said that he recently heard from a blockbuster film producer who said it is simply impossible to film in the U.S.

“It’s a very serious situation, and it breaks my heart. Our president is a compassionate man,” Voight said. “So we have an opportunity now to give hope to a lot of people and save this industry.”