Louisiana’s “Hollywood South” Status Threatened as House Votes to End Film Tax Credits Amid Tax Reform Efforts

The future of Louisiana’s film industry is uncertain after the state’s House of Representatives voted to eliminate the $150 million film tax incentive, which has been in place since 1992. The measure, part of a broader tax reform package, passed with an 87-12 vote and could take effect by June 30 if approved by the Senate and signed by Governor Jeff Landry. The tax credit, offering rebates of 25% to 40% on in-state production costs, has been linked to the state’s “Hollywood South” reputation, as noted by

Variety

.

Film NOLA Interim Director Brittany Chandler expressed concerns about the potential impact, saying, “We’re down to 30% of where we usually are.” However, she also mentioned a recent rebound, stating, “But with the Super Bowl coming up we’ve definitely seen an increase in commercials and other short projects we’re about three times where we were a couple of years ago.” Losing these incentives could undo the progress made so far, according to

WGNO

.

However, not all legislators agree, with some calling for broader changes due to economic challenges. “We are losing population, and we have the highest corporate tax rate in the South. We’re uncompetitive. We’re not attracting business here. And over the years we tried to band-aid that and remedy it with a lot of these credits” Republican State Rep. Julie Emerson explained the predicament to

The Wrap

.

As the debate continues, industry leaders and local lawmakers are expressing concerns about the financial impact the proposed changes could have. Louisiana has served as backdrop to several high-profile productions, like the Netflix movies “Hit Man” and “Rebel Ridge,” and the removal of such financial incentives may deter future projects. The outcome of these legislative maneuvers remains to be seen, leaving many to ponder the ultimate direction of Louisiana’s film landscape post-tax credit and the balance between stimulating business investments and supporting a thriving cultural sector, as stated by

The Wrap

.

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