Economic Impact Pilot Program

The Vermont Film Production Economic Impact Pilot Program is a targeted funding initiative launched by Film in Vermont in partnership with the Vermont Production Collective. The program is supported through philanthropic funding provided by the Koopman Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation. It is designed as a data-driven pilot effort to strengthen Vermont’s film ecosystem while simultaneously demonstrating the economic value of in-state film production. By aligning creative output with measurable economic activity, the program seeks to provide stakeholders and policymakers with concrete evidence of the benefits associated with investing in local filmmaking. The primary purpose of this grant program is twofold: to support the creation of compelling Vermont-based film projects and to directly stimulate the state’s creative economy. The program prioritizes projects that hire Vermont-based cast and crew, utilize local vendors, and film within the state’s geographic boundaries. Through this approach, the initiative aims to circulate funding within Vermont communities while elevating regional storytelling and creative talent. The program also emphasizes rural and underrepresented areas, encouraging productions to extend their economic and cultural impact beyond major population centers. Funding for the program consists of a total pool of 50000 dollars, distributed across approximately five to seven selected projects. Each individual project may receive up to 10000 dollars in direct funding. These funds are intended to support production-related expenses, particularly those that contribute to in-state economic activity such as wages, lodging, transportation, food services, and equipment rentals. While no explicit restrictions on specific line items are provided, the program strongly incentivizes spending that maximizes local economic circulation within Vermont. Eligibility is implicitly focused on filmmakers capable of producing Vermont-based projects that meet the program’s economic and reporting criteria. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to execute a viable production plan, employ Vermont-based personnel, and complete a project through post-production to yield a marketable film asset. In addition, applicants must be willing and able to comply with detailed reporting requirements, including the submission of an economic footprint report within sixty days of production completion. This requirement underscores the program’s emphasis on accountability and measurable outcomes. The application process is structured around a defined submission window, opening on June 15 2026 and closing on July 21 2026. Applicants are expected to prepare and submit project proposals that clearly outline production plans, budgets, hiring strategies, and anticipated economic impact. While specific application forms are not detailed, the evaluation process is clearly defined and weighted across four criteria: economic impact potential, Vermont identity and location usage, workforce and talent development, and project feasibility with reporting capacity. Final funding decisions are scheduled to be announced on August 1 2026. A key component of this program is its rigorous accountability framework. Funded projects must submit a detailed expense report within sixty days of completing production. This report must include comprehensive data on local labor, in-state vendor spending, geographic distribution of expenditures, and the percentage of funds spent within Vermont. These reporting requirements are essential to the program’s mission of generating aggregate data that demonstrates the broader economic impact of film production in the state. As a pilot initiative, the program does not explicitly state recurrence, but its structure suggests it may inform future funding cycles depending on outcomes and stakeholder support. The program provides a direct contact email for inquiries, enabling applicants to seek clarification during the application period. Overall, the initiative represents a strategic effort to combine creative development with economic analysis, positioning Vermont’s film industry for potential long-term growth and increased investment.

Emphasize Vermont based hiring vendor use and clear economic impact tracking plan to align with scoring criteria