If you have been near downtown Lafayette lately, you may have noticed film crews in the area. Movie production in Louisiana is on the rise again, after lawmakers reinstated the movie tax credit program.
Crew members won’t tell KATC what movie they are currently filming, but the decorations lead us to believe it has a Christmas theme. The movie is one of two being shot in Acadiana. Film producers say there is no better time than now to make movies in Acadiana.
Despite the Louisiana summer, downtown now looks like a Christmas wonderland. Since 2002 Louisiana has had a tax credit program for film production. But from 2015 to 2016 the state government stopped buying back tax credits. That, according to filmmakers caused production in the state to slow and producers taking their films to other states.
In 2017 the state government resumed buying back tax credits. This time with a film cap that filmmakers say is more manageable.
Filming in areas such as Acadiana also has its advantages. Movies made outside of the New Orleans metro area can receive an extra five percent tax credit. That could help Louisiana reclaim its title of "Hollywood of the South".
Most film crews prefer living in states where there is a tax credit program. In Louisiana, tax credits can be transferred back to the state for 88 cents on the dollar.
