Film tax credit legislation signed

Governor Sonny Perdue has signed legislation more than doubling tax incentives for films made in Georgia.

The legislation could be a boost for Savannah, where filming has declined since the mid-1990’s boom that produced "Forces of Nature" and "The General's Daughter," among other films shot here. Filmmakers have said Georgia doesn’t provide the kind of tax credits that lure them elsewhere.

Now, Jay Self, the city’s chief Film and Tourism officer, says Georgia can compete for films on a level playing field. "The competition for these projects have increased immensely," Self says. "Companies now really only consider places where they're going to get that tax credit or that tax rebate."

Companies that spend over $500,000 filming in Georgia can now apply for a 20% credit. The state Department of Economic Development says, the film industry contributed $475 million to the state’s economy in 2006.