WASHINGTON, D.C. — The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) today applauded the introduction of the bipartisan Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act (MPTERA), which would create a federal incentive to level the playing field and bring film and television jobs back to the United States. The bill follows years of IATSE advocacy for a competitive, labor-based federal production incentive.
The Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act would:
- Provide a 20% base tax credit on qualified compensation for qualified film and television productions.
- Eligible productions include feature films, television pilots, and television seasons with total costs above $1 million and at least 75% of principal photography days occur within the United States.
- Qualified compensation is defined as payments for labor-based services (including pre-production, and post-production work) performed in the United States.
- Provide a 20% base credit for qualifying traditional post-production and visual effects work when at least 75% of the total costs for the respective VFX and TPP services are incurred in the United States.
- Offer bonus credits of 5%, up to a maximum total credit of 30%, for productions that meet specified domestic investment requirements. Productions could qualify for bonus credits by:
- Filming in a rural qualified opportunity zone or federally declared disaster area.
- Meeting the bill’s requirements for qualifying as an independent production.
- Conducting at least 50% of principal photography in 10 or more states, with at least $10,000,000 in qualified compensation.
- Taxpayers who increase their number of domestic productions relative to a historical foreign base amount
“The over 170,000 behind-the-scenes entertainment workers of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) are proud to endorse the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act,” said International President Matthew D. Loeb. “IATSE has long called for a globally competitive, labor-based federal production incentive to level the playing field for American workers, return middle-class film and television jobs to America, and keep them here at home.
“This legislation would achieve that goal, addressing the dramatic loss of tens of thousands of American jobs in motion picture production and post-production. IATSE praises Senators Scott and Schiff, and Representatives Moran, Sanchez, Jack, Friedman, Carey, Chu, Kustoff, and Suozzi for leading this bipartisan effort. IATSE calls on all members of Congress to support and pass this critical jobs bill before the end of the year,” Loeb continued.
IATSE is engaging members, allies, and partner organizations in a nationwide advocacy campaign to pass the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act by the end of this year. CLICK HERE TO SEND A LETTER TO CONGRESS.
Swift passage of this bill is IATSE’s foremost federal legislative priority, as it would be transformative for our members’ future work opportunities and economic well-being after years of scarcity. We urge all members of Congress to cosponsor this legislation and push for it to become law.
