State’s Creative Economy Poised for Growth with Hopeful Legislative Passage of 2025-2027 Budget
Madison, WI, July 2, 2025 – With the latest version of Wisconsin’s proposed 2025-2027 budget now headed to a full legislative vote, the state’s creative economy is poised for growth. The proposed budget includes an investment to establish a state film office and offer film and TV production tax credits.
“We are excited that the State Legislature and Governor recognize this enormous economic development opportunity that will attract additional private investment in the film and production sector,” said Katie Heil, founding member of Action! Wisconsin. The statewide coalition of filmmakers, producers, businesses, and film and television project supporters has advocated extensively for state investment and infrastructure for the sector. “This has been a truly bipartisan effort that would not have been possible without the leadership and support of Senator Julian Bradley from New Berlin, Representative David Armstrong from Rice Lake, Governor Tony Evers, and 40 other state legislators that co-sponsored bills with these initiatives.”
“Today we are one step closer to an exciting new chapter for Wisconsin’s film and TV production industry,” added Eau Claire-based Nathan Deming, award-winning writer/director and founder of Nobody Pictures. “With production incentives and a state film office, Wisconsin will immediately become a destination of interest to production companies, crews, and story tellers attracted to Wisconsin’s diverse beauty, variety of settings, and industry talent.”
The proposed budget establishes a State Film Office within the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, provides funding for a position in the new office, and offers up to $5 million in film production and investment tax credits during each fiscal year. Such incentives are the cornerstone considered by production companies when deciding where to film. Spending and documentation requirements will guarantee a certain portion of a project’s production budget will be invested in the state and will benefit local businesses across a variety of sectors, including hospitality, transportation, construction, catering, and retail.
The advocacy for this investment and infrastructure was broad-based with numerous professionals, companies, organizations, and local governments passing resolutions, providing written and in-person testimony, and registering online support.
“If approved, this budget provides a great start to growing Wisconsin’s film and tv industry, strengthening our overall economy, and showcasing our state on screens large and small across the country and the world,” Heil said. “Long after production wraps and final credits roll, Wisconsin will reap the economic benefits of this investment and exposure.”
