Florida Governor Crist Celebrates Florida’s Film And Entertainment Industry

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March 19, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist last evening hosted a reception at the Governor’s Mansion for Florida’s film and entertainment industry leaders and legislators. The reception, coordinated by the Governor’s Office of Film and Entertainment and Film Florida, honored actor Armand Assante and Frank Patterson, dean of the Florida State University Film School. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Michael Joseph Alstott, who is featured in the EA Sports Madden NFL game, was also a special guest at the event.

“Florida’s film and entertainment industry is a $3.9 billion industry and includes almost 34,000 jobs in more than 5,000 businesses statewide,” Governor Crist said. “In addition, Florida’s fast-growing digital media industry is also important to our state’s economy and is growing at a double-digit pace due to the popularity of video games.”

Florida’s 2007-08 Film, Television & Digital Media Incentive Program (The Don Davis Entertainment Industry Economic Development Act of 2007) has received applications from 83 productions. The 45 projects that are currently certified are expected to spend over $153 million in the state on Florida residents’ wages and at Florida businesses, representing an economic impact of no less than $6 for every $1 of the incentive rebated.

Source: Florida Governor