Archive notice: This article was originally published on October 10, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
At the suggestion of Bavarian Media Minister Eberhard Sinner, a small delegation led by FFF deputy managing director Gabriele Pfennigsdorf used the opportunity following the presentation at “German Currents – Focus Bavaria” in Los Angeles to establish contact with the film industry in New Mexico. The programme included talks with Albuquerque Studios operator Jason Hariton; Eric Witt, director of Media Industries & Entertainment Development for the State of New Mexico; union representatives; and the New Mexico Film Office.
An industry gathering took place alongside a special screening of “Comeback” with writer and director Maximilian Plettau. The event was hosted by the Bavarian state government, represented by film adviser Dr Paula Ewert. In global competition, interest in producing feature films and television productions has become increasingly important because of the associated employment effects.
Many locations offer funding programmes or tax incentives to attract productions to their regions. There are now a large number of film offices around the world providing comprehensive services and information about their respective regional funding programmes. FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, founded in 1996, offers an extensive range of funding for the film and television industry.
The “Film Commission Bayern” also operates under the umbrella of the FFF. This service organisation acts as a location office and point of contact for domestic and international film productions. As the first film commission in Europe, it has since inspired many imitators in Germany and across Europe.
The US state of New Mexico, under Governor Bill Richardson, has shown particular commitment in recent years. The sparsely populated state offers a wide variety of locations and experienced film crews. State-of-the-art studio facilities, among the largest in the United States, were recently built near Albuquerque airport. Another studio is planned for the state capital, Santa Fe.
In addition to a 25-percent rebate system for expenditure in New Mexico, the state also offers interest-free loans. Gabriele Pfennigsdorf sums up: “The response and interest shown by the many industry representatives in Santa Fe to the Bavarian delegation’s presentation exceeded all expectations. We find New Mexico’s successes with its film-sector funding programme remarkable. Future cooperation, potentially extending to co-productions, is conceivable.”
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