As 2019 comes to a close, I would like to start off by thanking all of our loyal and dedicated PAFIA members, whose passion for film has propelled our fight for the PA Film Tax Credit into new territory. Your hard work in spreading the news about PAFIA and our mission has convinced the legislators to raise the PA Film Tax Credit from $65 million to $70 million.

YOU made this happen. 

This year was a great year for film in the state of Pennsylvania. We were

 able to celebrate the filming of Mare of Easttown, 21 Bridges, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Sweet Girl, I’m Your Woman, Concrete Cowboys, Mindhunter Season 2, Queer Eye Season 5, Manhunt: Lone Wolf, and Dispatches from Elsewhere. 

Our organization currently has 787 due paying members; 241 individual members and 546 corporate members/sponsors. We have 28 board members, all of whom have been extremely active in raising money and spreading the word about PAFIA to their sets, crew members, production staff, agencies and beyond. As of November 2019, PAFIA has raised $81,935.

PAFIA’s social media footprint has grown exponentially in 2019 – bringing film related news and events to individuals throughout the entire state and nationwide. We have recently begun a #PAFIAPAFeaturedFilmmaker series, filmmakers from all over PA are interviewed and share their answers and insights with our followers.  This year we introduced ‘Where are we Wednesday,’ where photos are posted from different filming locations throughout the state, tagging the legislators and encouraging them to see what is happening in their district and how they can be positively impacted by the PA Film Tax Credit. Our goal is to increase our presence on social media even further and reach even more people in Pennsylvania. We have more articles planned that will feature different projects, people, local businesses, companies and more – all to show the positive impact of the PA Film Tax Credit.

In the upcoming year, PAFIA’s goal is to build more connections and foster growth within the Independent Film community. We recognize that Independent Film is the future for crew workers in Pennsylvania. In 2019, PAFIA participated in the inaugural Red Rose Film Festival in Lancaster, PA.  Making connections in Lancaster was only the beginning, as we hope to network between all 5 areas of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Erie, South Central, the Poconos and Pittsburgh in 2020.

While we consider the PA Film Tax Credit $5 million increase a win, Pennsylvania still has much more work to do. In 2020, we want to have the PA Film Tax Credit increased to $140 million – meaning 15-25 more productions in the state per year. This translates to more jobs, more productions, more tourists – more of everything we need to keep film in PA.

We are asking you, members of PAFIA, to continue to spread awareness and positivity of the PA Film Tax Credit, through word of mouth, social media, phone calls to legislators, or any way that you see fit. Please ask your friends, family and colleagues to consider becoming members of PAFIA. The more support from our membership numbers we can show to the legislators, the better. Click here for more information about PAFIA membership. 

Thank you, again, for your dedication to PAFIA's mission and unwavering support for the film industry in Pennsylvania. Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

David Haddad
Chairman, Pennsylvania Film Industry Association