The legislative session opened on Monday, January 9.  This year is a longer session, 105 DAYS (at least), so it’s important that legislators continue to hear our message: that the incentive program keeps film – and dollars – here in Washington State. Look for specific calls to action during the course of this session, to receive updates via email please join our mailing list or check our blog regularly.
The bill to renew the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program is being drafted now and the details will be announced shortly.  But don’t wait for the bill info to get involved — here are FOUR WAYS you can get involved RIGHT NOW to help Keep Film in WA:
1. GET INFORMED:Â
Did you know that for every dollar awarded in funding assistance, the approved incentive production generates an estimated $10 of economic activity in our statewide economy? That’s $10 of benefits for every $1 invested! Or that over the past three years, projects approved for funding assistance have spent money in every single legislative district in the state?
Read our Fact Sheet and arm yourself with valuable information to present to your legislator and the public about why it’s important to Keep Film In WA. And check out all the different ways you can learn to lobby to make your points the most effective they can be.
During the course of the session, we may issue calls to action that include contacting your legislator or district representative. Don’t know who your legislator is?
2. SIGN AND SHARE THE NEW KEEP FILM IN WA PETITION
We are asking film professionals and supporters across the state to sign the 2017 Keep Film in WA petition encouraging elected officials to renew the production incentive program. We will use this petition on Film Day as another reminder to elected officials that film is important in Washington State!
3. SIGN AND SHARE THE NEW KEEP FILM IN WA BUSINESS LETTER OF SUPPORT
Last year we had over 200 Washington businesses sign onto our Business Letter of Support. Hearing from businesses and communities that are positively impacted by the incentive is what gets legislators’ attention! So, if you own a business (or work with a business) that supports the film industry, please sign onto our  NEW Business Letter of Support.
Business owners can sign onto the letter here.
***PLEASE NOTE that even if you signed onto the petition and/or the business letter of support last year, you MUST sign it again to be added to the 2017 letter.
4. GET THE TEE SHIRT AND SAVE THE DATE FOR FILM DAY!Â
Wow! The Keep Film in WA tee shirt (featuring our new logo) looks great! Purchase your tee shirt now to wear around town and at our 2017 Film Day! This year’s Film Day in Olympia is on March 13, 2017. Last year’s Film Day was a huge success, drawing over 300 film professionals and supporters that had the opportunity to meet with elected officials from their home districts. We have some really fun and innovative events planned for the day so stay tuned, and please join us for this year’s event – more information and how to RSVP will be posted soon.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email [email protected].
Thank you for your continued support –  let’s jump start the effort to KEEP FILM IN WA!