IN: Indiana Leans Into Arts, Culture Through New Economic Development Tool

Indiana will soon begin investing in growing its creative industry, offering a new Film and Media Tax Credit for television, film, music or digital media productions. This tool, established in the 2022 legislative session through Senate Enrolled Act 361, will help build a robust, competitive and sustainable media industry and infrastructure in Indiana while attracting new investment and tourism to the state.

“Creativity is an essential ingredient to the vibrancy of any community, and this new tool will encourage artists to do their work here in the Hoosier state,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers. “By attracting media companies and their service businesses to Indiana, and by extension, continuing to diversify Indiana’s economic portfolio, it is my hope that we are enabling more of our talented young people to pursue careers that align with their passion, without having to leave home.”  

Applications open Aug. 5, 2022, for the Film and Media Tax Credit, which will provide an incentive to members of the creative economy to film or record qualified media productions in Indiana, encouraging student, amateur and professional crews to leverage the state’s urban, rural and natural assets.  

“I’ve been advocating for an incentive like this for many years,” said Angelo Pizzo, writer and director of “Hoosiers.” “Not only does this incentive make Indiana a competitive spot for media production, but it will go a long way in encouraging our talented graduates to stay within the state. I hope that this incentive will continue to grow.”

The incentive offers an income tax credit of up to 30% to help offset certain production expenses including:

• Up to 20% for qualified production expenses, including expenses for acquisitions, filming and sound, labor and story rights;
• Up to 5% for using Indiana-based workforce during, pre- and post-production;
• 20% of the overall workforce must be from Indiana to qualify, including student and intern staff
• Up to 5% for adding an IEDC-approved Indiana brand to the qualified production’s credits.

A full list of qualified expenditures will be available on the IEDC website. Additionally, production crews and talent with Indiana accommodation stays of 30 consecutive days or more may be exempt from the County Innkeeper’s Tax, further incentivizing Indiana as a production destination.

Qualified applicants are persons, corporations, limited liability partnerships, limited liability companies, or other entities engaged in making a qualified media production in Indiana.

Eligible media producers are encouraged to apply online beginning Aug. 5, 2022, through Oct. 31, 2022.