By Associated Press - Tuesday, January 3, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Louisville residents who have suddenly found themselves bumping into movie stars such as Nicolas Cage and Jon Voight have the state’s recently improved financial incentives to thank.

Since May 2015, Kentucky has offered the most enticing incentives in the country, with qualified productions eligible to receive a refundable income tax credit of up to 35 percent of approvable expenditures, the Courier-Journal (https://cjky.it/2iLn04C) reports.

Georgia and Illinois, which both have thriving film scenes, offer a 30 percent credit.

Such incentives are controversial, with some studies concluding that film projects don’t provide a robust return for states.

It’s unclear what the effects of Kentucky’s recent film boom have been. The state approved 56 films for incentives for 2016, but hasn’t yet received cost reports for all of them that have concluded shooting.

Mayor Greg Fischer last year established the Louisville Film Commission, a volunteer group of local residents connected to the film and television industry. The group’s goal is to grow and coordinate filming activity in and around the city and turn it into a sustainable business.

“We’re here advocating to grow Louisville as a film-making destination and establish Louisville as a place that can sustain a strong and vibrant film economy,” said Benjamin Moore, an economic development manager for the city who oversees the commission.

Nicolas Cage was recently in Louisville to film the horror film “Mom and Dad,” with actress Selma Blair. Jon Voight was shooting an adventure film for Hallmark. And Jeremy Irons was in town shooting the action-comedy film “Monumental.”

“It’s definitely bringing in more projects right now, which we love,” said Mike Fitzer, a partner in the production company 180 Degrees. “It’s not just the glitz and glamor.”

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Information from: The Courier-Journal, https://www.courier-journal.com

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