Action! Wisconsin: State’s Creative Economy Poised for Growth

with New Film Office and Production Incentives

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Madison, WI, July 7, 2025 – With the newly passed 2025-2027 biennial state budget, Wisconsin’s creative economy is poised for growth. The budget includes an investment to establish a state film office and offer film and TV production tax credits.  

 

“It’s a great day for Wisconsin. We are thrilled the State Legislature and Governor recognized 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 a new chapter begins 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 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.

 

“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.”

 

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Learn more about Action! Wisconsin, and its statewide steering committee of industry leaders. Imagine MKE serves as the umbrella for Action! Wisconsin. It’s Greater Milwaukee’s only nonprofit dedicated to advancing and advocating for the region’s entire arts, culture, and creative sector. 

 

Media Contact: Pam Kassner, 414-510-1838, pam@superpear.com