Film Incentives Attract Two Major TV Productions to Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade County is experiencing a surge in major film and television productions, largely due to the “High Impact Film Fund Program” initiated by Sen. René García. This new incentive program is designed to attract high-return productions to the county, helping to bolster the local economy and create jobs.

The High Impact Film Fund Program

The program offers a performance-based rebate to large-scale productions, including feature-length films and TV or streaming series. To qualify, productions must spend at least $5 million and can receive rebates of up to 20% on their investments. The fund allocates $10 million annually, with the stipulation that 90% of production work within Florida must take place in Miami-Dade.

Attracting Big Productions

Two major productions—Netflix’s “Pulse,” a medical drama, and “Dexter: Origins” from Paramount Pictures—have already begun filming in the area, injecting about $12 million into the local economy. These projects have generated jobs, supported small businesses, and even provided opportunities for local students to gain industry experience.

Ensuring Accountability

No rebates have been issued yet, as funds are only released after productions provide receipts verifying their spending. This ensures accountability and that the incentives are truly benefiting the local economy.

Expanding Opportunities for Smaller Productions

Both Commissioner García and Marco Giron, director of the Miami-Dade Office of Film & Entertainment, are looking to expand the program to benefit smaller productions. One potential avenue is co-productions, where a project is filmed abroad but post-production takes place in Miami-Dade. This could open the door for more diverse projects to utilize the county’s resources.

Recent and Upcoming Projects

The film industry in Miami-Dade has seen a variety of projects this year, ranging from commercials for Sailor Jerry rum and Gray Goose vodka to an episode of “Swamp People” focused on invasive pythons in the Everglades. These productions highlight the versatility of Miami-Dade as a filming location.

Incentive Requirements

To qualify for the rebates, productions must meet several requirements. At least 60% of the crew must be Miami-Dade residents. Additionally, 70% of vendors and contractors must be registered businesses in the county. An independent audit by a certified Florida CPA is required after production, with costs covered by the production itself. Furthermore, all productions receiving incentives must display a logo provided by the Miami-Dade Office of Film & Entertainment.

These conditions ensure that the economic benefits of filming remain within the county, fostering growth in the local film industry.