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Film Incentive Program
The Film Incentive Rebate Program of Fremont offers a performance-based incentive that can rebate a portion of the qualified local expenditures incurred by a production company. Funds are available on a “first come, first considered” basis, subject to availability.
All production companies seeking to participate in the Program must submit, with all supporting documents, a Film Incentive Application at least 30 days before an expenditure occurs. Productions must be 100% funded and all submissions should be prepared to offer proof of funding. The filming entity (Film Production Company) cannot be a non-profit organization.
Qualifying projects must be intended for exhibition and reasonable commercial exploitation. Regional and national commercials will qualify with proof that they will be broadcasted nationally or regionally.
Based on the information provided in the production company’s application, the City will make an initial determination of whether the production company will be eligible to receive a performance-based incentive. If a production is not selected for the Program, the production company will be notified in writing within 30 days.
If a production company is eligible, the City will determine the maximum rebate amount that can be reimbursed to the production company. Upon approval of the Fremont City Council, the City shall grant conditional written approval to the production company, and an incentive contract will be issued. Failure to obtain written approval and sign an incentive contract prior to beginning significant production activities may result in a forfeiture of eligibility for the performance based incentive.
Film Incentive Rebate Funding Guidelines:
- Thirty percent (30%) of the LB840 funds received annually are targeted towards film incentives; and,
- A film incentive award cannot exceed thirty percent (30%) of the moneys in LB840; and,
- A film incentive award cannot exceed thirty percent (30%) of the qualified local expenditures.
All companies entering into a contract with the City of Fremont must E-verify through a federal immigration verification system to determine the work eligibility status of new employees physically performing services within the State of Nebraska. A federal immigration verification system means the electronic verification of the work authorization program authorized by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, 8 U.S.C. 1324a, known as the E-Verify Program, or an equivalent federal program designated by the United States Department of Homeland Security or other federal agency authorized to verify the work eligibility status of a newly hired employee.
Additional requirements: Projects that have scrolling end credits shall contain an acknowledgement the production was filmed in “Fremont, Nebraska”. A long-form narrative film production (e.g. feature) shall also include a city logo provided by the City office in the end credits. The Production shall agree to pay all obligations the film production company as incurred in Fremont, Nebraska. The Production Company will submit the most current draft of the complete script as well as the anticipated MPAA rating of the film and a synopsis.
Not every project will qualify for the grant. The City of Fremont is not required to grant projects that include “inappropriate content” or “contains material that violates city code or ordinances”.
The following productions are not eligible:
- Productions of a producer that has, or whose principals have, a verifiable history of previous production problems that create significant doubt, as determined by the City, regarding the producer’s ability to complete a production in Fremont, Nebraska successfully. The production problems may include, but are not limited to:
- Unpaid financial obligations;
- Crew mistreatment; and
- Damage to locations the producer did not repair upon completion of the production.
- Productions with respect to which the producer withdraws its application for eligibility determination.
- Productions that pay any employee less than minimum wage.
- Productions of one or more segments of a newscast, live broadcast or sporting event.
- Productions that employs any individual as an “intern” without that individual receiving academic credit.
Qualified local expenditure (Taxable Sales) means a payment made by a production company operating in Fremont to a person or business in Fremont in connection with production activities in Fremont. Qualified local expenditure shall include, but not be limited to:
- Payments made in connection with developing or purchasing the story and scenario to be used for a film;
- Payments made for the costs of set construction and operations, wardrobe, accessories, and related services;
- Payments made for the costs of photography, sound recording and synchronization, lighting, and related services;
- Payments made for the costs of editing, post-production, music, and related services;
- Payments made for the cost of renting facilities and equipment, including location fees;
- Payments for other direct costs incurred by the film production company that are deemed appropriate by the City;
- Leasing of vehicles: not including the chartering of aircraft for out-of-state transportation, however including Fremont based chartered aircraft for in-state transportation directly attributable to the production shall be considered a direct production expenditure; and
- Food and lodging: provided that only the first one hundred fifty dollars ($150) of lodging per individual per day is eligible to be claimed.
The following expenditures do not qualify:
- Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages;
- The value of a gift greater than twenty-five dollars ($25.00);
- Artwork or jewelry except when a work of art or a piece of jewelry is used as set dressing or a prop in the film production (on-camera), then it will qualify for up to $2,500;
- Entertainment, amusement or recreation (this includes wrap parties);
- Fringes for non-residents, including actors/performers;
- Chartering of Fremont based aircraft for out-of-state transportation;
- Purchases made on the internet unless the seller is located in Fremont (proof of residency required);
- Cell phone reimbursements when the billing address is outside of Fremont, Nebraska;
- Expenditures incurred and paid by a third party and claimed by the qualified film production company will not qualify – only expenditures directly incurred and paid by the qualified film production company (approved and on file with the City) to the vendor of the services or property will qualify;
- Expenditures made to non-profit organizations do not qualify.