We are thrilled to announce that today the House and Senate approved ESHB 1914 which increases funding for the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program to $15M a year. The bill also includes a number of other provisions that expand and strengthen the statewide film industry including: 

• Additional incentives for projects filming in rural jurisdictions and for films that tell stories of marginalized communities  
• Dedicated funding for workforce development for people from marginalized communities
• Funding for small budget productions creatively driven by Washington residents
• Extended sunset date of the program to 2030

Washington Filmworks would like to thank prime sponsors Representative Marcus Riccelli (D, 3) and Senator Lisa Wellman (D, 41) for their passion for the film industry and incredible leadership on the bill.  

The House vote was 96 yeas to 2 nays and the Senate vote was 45 yeas to 3 nays (with one person absent.) You can find who voted for the bill here. If your Senator and Representatives voted yes on the bill, please take 2 minutes and write them an email to thank them for their support.

Now that the bill has passed the House and Senate, the Governor must sign the bill into law no later than April 2, 2022.  

After the bill is signed into law, Washington Filmworks will be hosting community events to talk in more detail about what’s in the bill and the future of film in Washington State.  

Thank you to the community for your tireless advocacy efforts that made this all happen!  

We are pleased to share the breaking news that funding for the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program (MPCP) was included in the conference budget at $15M a year. The $15M annual allocation represents more than 4x the funding we currently have and inclusion in the budget indicates great support for the program by elected officials!  

In today’s Ways & Means hearing, the committee amended ESHB 1914 to an annual allocation of $15M and the conference budget that is negotiated by the House and Senate reflects this change and the amount may not be amended.

BUT it ain’t over yet…

Funding for the MPCP will only stay in place if ESHB 1914 is passed on the floor of both the Senate and House. Both votes in each chamber must happen before the end of the legislative session which is TOMORROW!

We are issuing an ALL CALL ACTION ALERT to write your Senator and two Representatives to ask them to VOTE YES ON ESHB 1914. In writing your elected officials, here’s what to ask:

• Senator:  Ask them to vote Yes on the bill that was passed in the Ways & Mean Committee.   
• Representatives: Ask them to vote to concur when ESHB 1914 makes it to the floor of the House.

Your communication can be short and sweet, 3-4 sentences tops!  Here is what we suggest you include: 

1. Who you are and how you are affiliated with the film industry
2. Why you think it’s important to pass ESHB 1914 
3. Ask your elected officials to VOTE YES when it’s on the floor
4. Thank them for their time and consideration

You can find contact information for your Senator and Representatives here. Don’t know your legislative district? You can find that info here.

This is an ALL CALL ACTION ALERT, please write to your Senator and Representatives today!  

Questions? Email us at [email protected]