Exciting Times for Birmingham’s Arts and Film Scene!

Exciting Times for Birmingham’s Arts and Film Scene!

Hey there, Birmingham! There’s some really exciting news buzzing around our city as the local government has just approved a generous sum of $150,000 for Create Birmingham, the only nonprofit organization in the area dedicated solely to arts, culture, media, and film. Today, we got to chat with folks from Create Birmingham about how this funding will be used and how our beloved film industry is shaping up.

The Big Plans for the Funding

So, how will that $150,000 be split up? Glad you asked! The funds are going to be divided among three major projects:

• Birmingham365: A chunk of $25,000 will go towards this inclusive community arts calendar. It aims to offer free promotions for local events and programs, ensuring everyone, locals and visitors alike, can ditch the FOMO and join in on the fun! They’ll also be shining a spotlight on public art in our neighborhoods.
• Community Arts Projects: Another $50,000 is earmarked for grants supporting four community arts projects, each worth $10,000. These projects will focus on addressing important issues right here in Birmingham, including civic advocacy, education, public health, and even food systems. The focus is on helping out small and mid-sized arts nonprofits, so they can continue making an impact.
• Reel Scout Database: The final big chunk of $75,000 will go towards maintaining and promoting the Reel Scout Database. This resource is essential for facilitating the filmmaking infrastructure in Birmingham, from crew networking to workshops that contribute to the growth of local talent.

The Economic Impact of Filmmaking

Jessica Moody, the Director of Programs and Operations for Create Birmingham, shared some insightful thoughts. One point she highlighted is how the growing film industry can serve as a potent economic driver for our area. “If the money was purple, you would be seeing it everywhere,” she said. Filmmakers bring loads of cash into the city, stopping at gas stations, dining at local restaurants, and even doing their shopping at nearby stores.

According to Create Birmingham’s data, small-budget films usually hire 50 to 75 local individuals, and they tend to spend about 60% of their total budget right here in our city. Just this year, Birmingham welcomed 27 projects and assisted with an additional 47 projects, with an estimated combined budget of $58 million, out of which $32 million was spent locally! Isn’t that fantastic?

Tax Incentives and the Landscape Ahead

Birmingham’s film scene is also boosted by some nifty tax incentives in Alabama. The state has a pool of $20 million available for productions shooting here. If a project’s budget hits a certain level, they get a 25% rebate on spending within the state, and a juicy 35% back for hiring locals, which can really help boost our economy.

However, there is a bit of a balancing act. While we want to attract bigger films, they can take up a large portion of that budget, which might leave less for smaller projects. Yet, bigger films are essential for keeping our talented crews and filmmakers in Alabama. There’s hope that this state budget can grow in the future, helping to drive Birmingham’s film industry and arts scene further.

What to Look Forward To

And if you’re eager to see some action happening around town, keep your eyes peeled! A new project is scheduled to start filming on September 5th. Exciting, right? You might even spot some filming crews in your neighborhood. If you’re interested in getting involved, there’s an opportunity to register your location for potential future projects.

All in all, it’s a thrilling time for our city’s arts and film community, and we can’t wait to see how it flourishes in the coming months. Birmingham, get ready for some artistic adventures!