FY2025 Motion Picture Competitiveness Report — Washington State Department of Commerce
Summary
The FY2025 Motion Picture Competitiveness Report, an April 2026 annual report to the Washington State Legislature from the Washington State Department of Commerce's Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness under RCW 43.365.020. It covers July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025 for the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program, established in 2006 and managed by the private nonprofit Washington Filmworks, which provides the data. The report states that Chapter 270, Laws 2022, extended the program through 2030 and raised its funding cap to $15 million a year. It reviews industry trends, including the ProdPro 2025 TV & Film Outlook Report and the use of artificial intelligence, and includes an annual list of projects funded July 2024 to June 2025. Appendix tables count Washington jobs created through the program by wage and salary tier for FY2021-2025.
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Motion Picture Competitiveness Report
Annual report to the Washington State Legislature pursuant to RCW
43.365.020
April 2026
Report to the Legislature
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AND
COMPETITIVENESS Interim Director Sarah Clifthorne
Acknowledgments
Washington State Department of Commerce
Andrea Chartock, Assistant Director, Office of
Economic Development and Competitiveness
Shannon Roach Halberstadt, Creative Economy Lead,
Industry Sector Development, Office of Economic
Development and Competitiveness
Washington Filmworks
Amy Lillard, Executive Director
Julie Daman, Director of Operations & Finance
1011 Plum St. SE
P.O. Box 42525
Olympia, WA 98504-2525
www.commerce.wa.gov
For people with disabilities, this report is available on
request in other formats. Please call 360-725-4000 with
your request.
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 2
Table of contents
Executive summary...................................................................................................................................... 4
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 6
2025 Motion Picture Competitiveness Program............................................................................................ 7
Annual list of projects funded July 2024 to June 2025................................................................................ 18
Appendix A: Projects by fiscal year ............................................................................................................ 28
Appendix B: Summary descriptive statistics ............................................................................................... 35
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 3
Executive summary
Overview
Washington's Motion Picture Competitiveness Program was established in 2006 (RCW 43.365.020) to attract
and retain film industry investment in Washington. 1 Chapter 270, Laws 2022, extended the program through
2030, provided enhanced incentives, established workforce development initiatives and increased the funding
cap for the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program to $15 million a year. 2
Washington Filmworks, the private nonprofit organization that manages the Motion Picture Competitiveness
Program, provides aggregated data to produce the certified and complete statistics required for this report. 3
This report reflects the period from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, and includes:
An annual list of recipients awarded financial assistance from the prior year.
The board's progress towards the goal of funding assistance provided to motion picture productions located
or filmed in rural communities.
Motion picture productions that tell stories of historically underrepresented communities.
Information on workforce development, career-connected learning and business development activities.
Key findings or highlights.
Industry landscape
In this section, we outline the industry landscape and latest trends affecting the film industry in Washington.
National industry trends
In January, ProdPro released its 2025 TV & Film Outlook Report, which surveys crew members, executives and
suppliers about the state of the film industry.45 While the report suggests the industry is rebounding after the
WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2022 and 2023, global production remains 11percent below 2022 levels. When
surveyed about preferred filming destinations for 2025-2026, the top 5 were international jurisdictions due to
competitive tax incentives, lower costs and expanding infrastructure abroad. In response, major motion picture
hubs such as California have more than doubled their investment in production incentive programs to retain
and attract the motion picture industry to their region.
Impact of artificial intelligence
A 2024 Deloitte study shows that independent creators are early adopters of artificial intelligence (AI), which
will likely lead to more AI user-generated film content. 6 The Industry Trade Publication Screen International
also suggests in their story about 2025 film industry trends that, “AI tools could help democratize and diversify
the film and TV industry by lowering the barriers for entry for diverse voices.” The impact of AI in film
production is evolving quickly, with Washington-based companies such as Amazon investing in breakthrough
companies like Fable Studio, which houses a platform where users can input parameters, and AI will create a
customized show for them to watch." 7
1 The Washington State Legislature, “RCW 43.365,”
2 The Washington State Legislature, "Chapter 270, Laws 2022,"
3 Washington Filmworks, "Washington Filmworks"
4 ProdPro is a production intelligence platform that focuses on connecting the physical production ecosystem of the crew, vendors and
studios,
5 Source: ProdPro, “2025 TV & Film Outlook Report,”
6 Source: Deloitte, “2025 TMT Predictions Hollywood Cautious of GenAI Adoption,"
7 Source: The Wrap, “Amazon Invests in Fable AI Company Showrunner,”
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 4
Meanwhile, the Deloitte study also outlines the impact of AI on the film industry, which indicates that the
technology is not yet able to deliver Hollywood-level productions. And while it can generate short clips, it
cannot produce longer, more coherent stories. The challenge in adopting AI tools at scale is that training the
models is expensive and would likely need to be updated every six months. New updates and opportunities are
worth closely tracking given the dynamic pace of change.
Surge in independent film
As traditional production models from the studio system continue to erode, the independent film sector is
becoming more vibrant. Traditional financing models in this space are more complex, and independent film
entities such as A24 and Neon weave together equity for projects with multiple investors. Budgets range
widely but are generally between $3M to $12M if made domestically.
Washington’s film market assets
The Motion Picture Competitiveness Program continues to strategically invest in the future of film in
Washington to maintain its competitiveness, including:
• The Small Budget Production Initiative (SBPI) is a unique program that supports emerging Washington
producers and directors with early-stage funding commitments for projects with budgets between
$20,000 - $1M. An investment in future job creators, the program has financially supported 18 projects
that have completed principal photography since its launch, including short films, feature films and
documentaries.
• Washington Filmworks has completed two cycles of the Above-the-Line Program, which provides a 12-
week educational course for up to 30 emerging Washington state directors and producers from
historically underrepresented communities. Filmmakers who successfully complete the education forum
may apply for a six-month mentorship to develop their narrative project.
• Washington state is ranked fifth nationally in AI start-up activity, with over 480 emerging AI businesses
across the state. The film industry in Washington will undoubtedly benefit from strategic investments in
start-up environments, such as the City of Seattle-supported AI House and from the launch of
Foundations, a member-owned community of tech founders in Seattle. 8 The access to local AI talent and
expertise, along with collaboration opportunities, will support Washington filmmakers looking to
integrate AI into their work.
Reflections
• Washington Filmworks' commitment to supporting local filmmakers is impactful and important to the future
of film in Washington. Industry-responsive programs such as the Above-the-Line Education Forum and the
Small Budget Production Initiative will help Washington gain a national reputation for launching new talent in
the film industry. 910
• A challenging motion picture industry landscape, coupled with a significant 2025 reduction in federal
funding for organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for
the Humanities (NEH), makes the investment in the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program even more
critical as an opportunity to protect and support family wage jobs for Washington cast and crew.
The enhanced Motion Picture Competitiveness Program incentives for telling the story of historically
underrepresented communities and filming in rural Washington are impactful and will help drive economic
8 Seattle Foundation, "https://www.seattlefoundations.org/,"
9 Washington Filmworks, “Above the Line Education Forum & Mentorship,”
10 Washington Filmworks, “Small Budget Production Initiative,”
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 5
activity in the state. In 2024, just two years after implementing these new enhanced incentive goals, 61 percent
of funding supported the telling of stories from marginalized communities and 11.5 percent supported
projects filmed in rural areas. More information about strategies to reach these goals can be found in the
Enhanced incentives section of this report.
Introduction
Background
The Motion Picture Competitiveness Program was authorized in 2006 to attract and retain film industry
investment in Washington (RCW 43.365 ). Chapter 270 of Laws 2022 increased the funding cap for the Motion
Picture Competitiveness Program to $15 million per year. The legislation includes several other provisions that
expand and strengthen the statewide film industry, including:
• Additional incentives for projects filming in rural jurisdictions and for films that tell stories of historically
underrepresented communities
• A workforce development mandate to better support people from underrepresented communities
• Support for small budget productions, creatively driven by Washington residents
• Extended sunset date of the program to 2030
This report reflects the period from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, and is required annually to the
Legislature pursuant to RCW 43.365.020(12):
"By December 31, 2022, and annually thereafter, the department on behalf of the board, must report to the
legislature on the approved Motion Picture Competitiveness Program. This report may include information
required in the survey established in RCW 43.365.040. At a minimum, the report must include an annual list
of recipients awarded financial assistance from the prior year with total estimated production costs,
locations of each production, and the board's progress towards the goal of at least 20 percent of its
funding assistance provided to motion picture productions located or filmed in rural communities and 20
percent of its funding assistance provided to motion picture productions that tell stories of historically
underrepresented communities. The report must also include information on workforce development,
career-connected learning, and business development activities, including whether they have been scaled
up in size from the previous year and how they are meeting the goal of supporting people from historically
underrepresented communities."
Washington Filmworks is a private, nonprofit organization that manages the Motion Picture Competitiveness
Program and an array of resources supporting creative industries. Its mission is to create economic
development opportunities by building and enhancing the competitiveness, profile and sustainability of
Washington’s film industry. Washington Filmworks provides aggregated data and the certified and complete
statistics required for this report, which must include at a minimum:
Annual list of recipients awarded financial assistance from the prior year, with total estimated production
costs and locations of each production.
The board's progress towards the goal of at least 20 percent of its funding assistance provided to motion
picture productions located or filmed in rural communities.
Twenty percent of its funding assistance is provided to motion picture productions that tell stories of
marginalized communities.
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 6
Information on workforce development, career-connected learning and business development activities,
including whether they have been scaled up in size from the previous year and how they are meeting the goal
of supporting people from marginalized communities.
Must allocate funds for training and job placement for marginalized communities as follows:
• For fiscal years 2023 and 2024, a minimum of $500,000 for each fiscal year.
• For each fiscal year on or after July 1, 2024, a minimum of $750,000.
2025 Motion Picture Competitiveness Program
Washington Filmworks funding assistance
The mission of Washington Filmworks is to create economic development opportunities by building and
enhancing the competitiveness, profile and sustainability of Washington’s film industry. Washington Filmworks
offers two funding assistance programs:
Production Incentive Program (PIP)
This program is designed to support larger budget productions that provide health and retirement benefits for
Washington cast and crew. To qualify for funding assistance, a production must meet the following in-state
spending minimum thresholds:
$500,000 for motion pictures
$300,000 for episodic series
$150,000 for commercials (filming in rural counties)
Small Budget Production Initiative (SBPI)
Designed to invest in emerging Washington filmmakers by providing an early-stage funding commitment and
funding assistance for motion picture content. The motion picture budget must be between $20,000 and
$1,000,000 and must include at least two Washington residents in the positions of director, producer,
screenwriter or lead actor.
If a qualified production meets spending thresholds, is in a rural county or tells the story of a historically
underrepresented community, it may qualify for enhanced incentives.
Washington Filmworks also provides the services of the statewide film office, support for filming in rural
Washington and several workforce development programs for the film industry.
Certified and complete statistics
RCW 43.365.040 requires Commerce to provide specified summary statistics as follows:
(6) The department must use the information from this section to prepare summary descriptive statistics.
The department must report these statistics to the legislature each even-numbered year by September 1st.
The department must provide the complete annual surveys to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review
Committee, which shall perform a review as required under RCW 43.365.050.
During this reporting period of July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, Washington Filmworks provided $4,960,512 in
funding assistance to six PIP projects and four SPBI projects, resulting in over $10.9 million in qualified
spending within local communities. These productions also hired 837 Washington residents.
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 7
Enhanced incentives
Of the funding assistance paid out in this period, 11.5 percent went to projects qualifying for the enhanced
incentive for filming in a rural community, as defined in RCW 43.365.010. This is an increase from 7.85 percent
in the previous fiscal year. Projects filmed in a wide array of rural counties across Washington, including
Jefferson, Okanogan and Pend Oreille.
A total of 61 percent of the funds paid out this period went to projects that qualified for the enhanced incentive
of telling the story of a historically underrepresented community.
Film office/rural economic development
Washington Filmworks serves as the statewide Film Office and provides rural economic development services
to support filming in rural jurisdictions. 11 These services continue to drive significant economic development
opportunities across the state from projects that may not be associated with the Motion Picture
Competitiveness Program.
The following are examples of the variety of projects that Washington Filmworks supported within this
reporting period that did not receive funding assistance from the organization:
• Alaska Airlines
• Dear Canadian Open Net Farmers, featuring William Shatner
• Expedition Bigfoot
• House Hunters
• T-Mobile, featuring Billy Bob Thornton
• Washington Lottery, featuring Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman
The total economic impact of non-incentive-driven projects can be difficult to quantify, as non-incentive
projects are not legislatively required to provide budget information. In the current fiscal year, to better
demonstrate the impact of the Film Office, Washington Filmworks launched an online form called Tell Us
About Your Project (TAP). 12 Clients use this interface to request assistance and to share a wide array of
quantitative and qualitative data, including the number of local hires, budget information, filming locations and
narratives about their experiences filming in Washington.
11 Washington Filmworks, “Resources,”
12 Washington Filmworks, “Survey Submission Form,"
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 8
This fiscal year, the film office provided services for an estimated 350 film projects, of which 39.5 percent
were feature films, 19.7 percent were commercials and 13.6 percent were episodic series. See the graph in
Figure 3.1 for more detailed information about the project submission types for film projects.
Figure 3.1. Project submission types – 350 total
Washington Filmworks' Rural Economic Development Department works with rural jurisdictions to identify the
key assets needed to support film in their communities. This includes identifying key filming locations, auditing
film infrastructure and working with local elected officials to better understand the positive economic impact
of film in their community.
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 9
This fiscal year, Washington Filmworks evaluated the film-readiness of five geographically diverse counties,
including Jefferson, Kittitas, Skagit, Stevens and Walla Walla. Through community engagement and SWOT
analysis, Washington Filmworks identified five central themes.
All five counties possess distinct locations and creative communities. Strengths include responsive film
liaisons, proximity to production hubs and a range of authentic looks from historic towns to forests, farmland
and coastlines. However, each county faces weaknesses, such as a lack of local crew and equipment and
limited infrastructure to support large-scale productions for long periods without advance planning.
This strategic outreach yielded an increase in film-friendly locations in the Washington Filmworks location
database. Two counties have integrated film liaison duties into new staff positions at the City of Port
Townsend in Jefferson and the Tri-County Economic Development District in Stevens. This resulted in a
narrative film in Stevens County, and three commercials and a narrative film in Kittitas County. A narrative film
was also filmed in Walla Walla, and the region is planning a new annual film summit in October 2025. Two
commercials were filmed in Skagit, and the region is hosting a familiarization tour for film industry
professionals in November 2025.
In Q1 2025, Washington Filmworks received a regenerative grant from State of Washington Tourism to foster
film readiness within the 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State by offering our resources and
nurturing collaboration, building mutual understanding and respect for tribal individuality, developing a network
of tribal film liaisons, identifying and connecting native filmmakers with resources and workforce development
opportunities and expanding the network of film-friendly locations on Tribal lands. Washington Filmworks has
contracted with the Whitener Group through November 2025.
The Film Office and the Rural Economic Development Department work in tandem to program and facilitate
film education opportunities for the film liaison network and professional location scouts. With more than 150
film liaisons across the state, this group is committed to serving as a bridge between Washington Filmworks,
the local community and film productions. Topics at quarterly meetings this year included working with
location managers and a conversation with a local producer about what to expect when a film project is being
held in a town. Quarterly location manager meetings focus on working with state agencies, virtual
familiarization tours from partners across the state and updates on film permitting processes at city, county
and state jurisdictions.
Using footage generated from grants awarded in May 2024, Washington Filmworks produced a wide array of
photographic and filmed assets to market locations across the state. In October 2024, Washington Filmworks
hosted a virtual familiarization tour with the Location Managers Guild International.13 The video has 10 unique
chapters, highlighting locations, incentives, the film office services and the production centers of Seattle and
Spokane.14
Inspired by the presentation, Location Manager Mitchell Gutman brought an international Pacific Car and
Foundry Company (PACCAR) photo and video shoot to Washington and had this to say about his experience:
13 Location Managers Guild International, “Who We Are,”
14 Washington Filmworks, posted video on Vimeo, "WF hosted a virtual familiarization tour,"
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 10
"My recent experience with Washington Filmworks on a high-profile photo shoot couldn’t have been
better. From my first phone call, I was introduced to local location contacts and permit offices who were
able to help source the looks our client was seeking quickly, easily, and within budget. We ended up
utilizing locations in Burlington, Harbor Island, and throughout downtown Seattle that gave our team all
the looks they had requested and more. As this was an international client, they were immensely
impressed with how simple, straightforward and transparent the process was all around. And as someone
who has worked throughout North America on projects of all shapes and sizes, I can say confidently that
permitting and working with the municipalities was as affordable, easy and accommodating as it gets."
Mitchell Gutman
In addition to the Location Managers Guild International presentation, the footage was integrated into an
interactive marketing tool representing all seven regions of the state, which introduces prospective clients to
the breadth and depth of locations.
Washington Filmworks continues to expand its internal marketing resources, including the Location Database,
a publicly searchable resource for filmmakers worldwide. 15 This past fiscal year, 125 new locations were
added to the database, of which 55 percent were in rural counties. There are now more than 3,126 locations in
the database. The film office used these assets to create over 22 location packages for potential clients,
including HBO, Duplass Brothers Productions, Fifth Season and T-Mobile.
Washington Filmworks s Production Directory is an important tool used to demonstrate to potential clients the
depth of local crew and production resources in the state. During the reporting period, Washington Filmworks
added 185 local crew and 31 local businesses to the Production Directory, a free resource for all resident crew
and businesses.
Implementing the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program
Chapter 270 of the Laws of 2022 enables Washington Filmworks to better support the film industry by
providing career-connected learning opportunities and workforce development initiatives. 16 To meet the
program's goals, Washington Filmworks initiated a business plan to market Washington as a destination for
motion picture content. Washington Filmworks continues to work with the film industry and community
partners to design impactful new programs that will set the industry up for success and help build the future of
film in Washington.
Small Budget Production Initiative
The SBPI is designed to support emerging resident filmmakers with early-stage funding commitments and
assistance for projects budgeted between $20,000 and $1 million. These smaller-budget productions provide
an excellent training ground for emerging above-the-line talent (cast, director, producer, screenwriter) and
below-the-line crew who collaborate on a professional film set.
15 Washington Filmworks Location Database, "The Location Database,"
16 Washington Filmworks Crew Portal, Production Directory,"
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 11
Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, 22 projects received funding assistance. Of those projects, six are in
development and/or pre-production and 11 have advanced into principal photography. These projects include
short films, narrative and documentary features and episodic series. Five conditionally approved projects did
not raise the required funds within the allowable six-month window, so funds held in reserve were relinquished,
and funding assistance was made available to other eligible applicants per RCW 43.365.020.
Workforce development
Statute requires that Washington Filmworks invest a minimum of $750,000 in workforce development
opportunities focused on underrepresented communities during FY2025. These workforce development funds
have been transformative for the film industry, as emerging and professional creatives are often categorized
as non-traditional workers and, as such, do not qualify for traditional funding models supported by the
Workforce Development Board.
As it relates to the statute, Washington Filmworks has adopted the definition of career-connected learning to
guide the workforce development initiative, which includes career awareness and exploration, career
preparation (e.g., training) and career launch (e.g., job placement).
Above the Line mentorship program (narrative film)
Participants who successfully completed Washington Filmworks’ FY2024 Above the Line Education Program
were invited to apply for a six-month mentorship designed to prepare filmmakers for the production of a
narrative project.17 A total of 18 applicants from the education forum applied for the program, and five were
selected for the mentorship program, representing King, Spokane and Clark Counties. Each mentee worked
with a Washington-based mentor as well as a mentor from a production city such as Los Angeles, New York
and San Francisco.
Washington Filmworks logged over 275 hours of one-to-one mentoring during the six-month program, and
each mentee agreed or strongly agreed that their mentorship helped move them forward in their filmmaking
career. The program culminated in a ‘pitch session’ where each mentee presented their project to industry
guests. A total of two mentees applied and were approved for the SPBI program.
Mentor/producer Valerie Steinberg, and listed in Variety Magazine one of their 2023 10 Producers to Watch
had this to say about her experience with the program: 18
“I can certainly point to mentors who have helped and guided me along my path, so it's important to do
the same for those coming up. Furthermore, it really is gratifying as a mentor to share knowledge and
helps remind us why we're doing this.”
Valerie Steinberg
17 Washington Filmworks, “Above the Line Education Forum & Mentorship,”
18 Variety, “10 Producers to Watch,”
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 12
The mentors also suggested that this program is unique in the nationwide marketplace and an investment in
the future of filmmaking in Washington. Mentor/showrunner Dan Merchant, who has made three episodic
series in Spokane, suggests:
"If Washington is serious about building a film community that's going to go on and grow in a really
meaningful way to make the industry a vital commercial factor, as well as a cultural factor here, we need
tomorrow's filmmakers and we need to start working with them today."
Dan Merchant
Above the Line Education Forum (documentary film)
An investment in future job creators in Washington, the Above the Line workforce development program
focuses on job training for Washington-based documentary directors and producers from underrepresented
communities. There were 32 applicants from cities across Washington, and a cohort of 25 from fourteen
different cities was selected to participate in the 12-week educational forum. Over the course of the program,
51 film industry professionals presented topics such as working in Washington, legal basics, financing and
marketing/distribution. A post-program survey conducted by every participant reflected the following:
100 percent increased their general knowledge
88 percent increased their legal Basics skills and knowledge
96 percent increased their financing skills and knowledge
100 percent increased their budgeting skills and knowledge
92 percent increased their production skills and knowledge
92 percent increased their marketing & distribution skills and knowledge
The film industry remains a network-based economy, and program participants report that their professional
networks have expanded authentically because of this program. Program participant Shaminder Dulai shared
this about his experience:
“I moved to Seattle in 2019. Between being new, COVID and job layoffs, I have felt lost, adrift and
unmoored from my new home. I was missing a sense of community, a genuine community with
connection that wasn't ‘networking’ and transactional at the core. Through this group, I met some
very amazing filmmakers and am starting to feel like I have a way into belonging."
Shaminder Dulai
Washington Filmworks continues to support the graduates of the Above the Line program by hosting bi-
monthly virtual meetups. Alumni can receive feedback on their project materials and brainstorm solutions with
others in the same development phase. They are sharing resources and opportunities and are already planning
to collaborate.
The organization also surveys program graduates to better understand the retention of these professionals in
the industry and the program's overall impact. Below are recent survey results:
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 13
Job creation
• 74 percent of participants secured new paid roles in the film and television industry.
• Participants worked on a total of 236 paid projects.
• 52 percent of participants created paid film industry jobs that employed 138 individuals.
Retention 19
• 74 percent of participants worked in the film and television industry in Washington.
• 44 percent of participants worked in creative industries outside of film and television in Washington.
• 96 percent of participants have no plans to move out of Washington in the next 12 months.
FWD funding initiative
In direct response to community feedback, Washington Filmworks continued the FWD Funding Initiative, a
program designed to invest in film industry workforce development efforts serving historically
underrepresented communities by disbursing funds to Washington-based businesses. In FY2025, two
additional rounds of FWD funding were completed.
In round one of FWD funding in FY2025, 25 proposals representing 13 cities across Washington were
considered. The total requested funding for all proposals was $470,000. Three businesses (12% of proposals)
were funded, and $40,000 was distributed within two counties. The applications awarded funding in this cycle
were focused on industry job training. The following is an overview of the projects funded:
Atina Film Studios
Atina Film Studios, helmed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Anita M. Cal, is a production company with a
purpose to empower marginalized storytellers and help bring their imaginations to film festivals, television and
movie screens. Their short film workshop provides on-set experience, scriptwriting and producer training.
Funding supported the Short Film Workshop program in South King County.
Tasveer
Tasveer’s mission is to inspire social change through thought-provoking South Asian films, art and storytelling.
Their video production program aims to support Seattle-area South Asian high school and college students in
learning about film industry careers and shadowing professionals on a working set. Funding supported the
video production program in Seattle.
Wenatchee Valley Tech
This Skill Center serves 9th through 12th-grade students from area school districts. Their training camera
operators program trains students for industry jobs, and students can earn industry certifications through the
school. Funding supported the purchase of three professional cameras for the camera operators program in
Wenatchee.
In round two of FWD Funding this FY2025, 19 proposals representing 11 cities across Washington were
considered. The total requested funding for all proposals was $350,000. Three businesses (or 15% of
proposals) were funded, and $40,000 was distributed across three counties. The applications awarded funding
in this cycle were focused on industry job training and awareness. The following is an overview of the projects
funded:
19 In the year following program completion,
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 14
Olympic College
Olympic College (OC) has received funding to support supplemental skill workshops, a training program
providing access to specialized skills taught by industry professionals. In early 2025, the OC Film School
offered zero-cost, hands-on production assistant workshops and grip and electric training workshops at the
Bremerton campus. In June 2025, a zero-cost, virtual script supervisor workshop was offered. Funding
supported six supplemental skill workshops in Bremerton.
Seattle Documentary Association
Seattle Documentary Association has received funding to provide scholarships for filmmakers to attend Craft
& Collaboration (C&C), their signature annual event. This year, C&C offered a two-day educational and
networking experience designed for documentary filmmakers of all levels, from novice to professional.
Funding supported this year’s C&C event in Seattle.
Sui Productions
Sui Productions has received funding to support songs from the youth program, which serves youth from
underrepresented communities in Tacoma. Participants are learning about the film and music business, and
the program will culminate with the recording of a song for a feature film. Funding supports the songs from the
youth program in Tacoma (this project is still in progress).
Advisory boards
Washington Filmworks has two advisory boards, described below:
Film Leadership Council
Formed in 2018, the Film Leadership Council serves as an advisory board to the Washington Filmworks Board
of Directors and consists of film professionals from locations across the state representing a wide array of
motion picture production. The Film Leadership Council helps develop proposals to maximize the impact of
the production incentive program and the film office's resources. They also serve as ambassadors for
Washington Filmworks and the statewide film industry.
Equity Committee
Established by statute in 2022, the Equity Committee serves as an advisory board to Washington Filmworks’
Board of Directors and provides film industry insight and input from historically underrepresented
communities. It aims to foster diversity, equity and inclusion within the organization and the statewide film
industry. The Equity Committee also holds Washington Filmworks accountable for integrating diversity, equity
and inclusion into all aspects of its work. The Equity Committee also ratified its first-ever charter in March
2023.
In fall 2024, the Equity Committee and the Film Leadership Council collaborated to design and participate in a
series of focus groups to gain in-depth insights from local crew and hiring managers on how to support
inclusive film sets. A total of 69 people participated in 10 focus groups, and an additional eight people
provided written feedback.
In April of 2025, key findings from the focus groups were shared with participants, and the data indicated that
champions for building inclusive film sets exist, that leadership on film sets is imperative and diversity in the
above-the-line talent and at the department level creates a more positive set experience.
In FY2026, Washington Filmworks will continue the work with the joint body to achieve the following three
outcomes:
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 15
1) Publish the focus group outcomes
2) Provide resources about inclusivity so that the industry has a shared language
3) Host in-person events for learning and networking
Media mentorship program
Washington Filmworks continues to manage the Media Mentorship Program, which creates pathways into the
state’s film industry workforce. A partnership with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
(IATSE) 488, the program provides education, one-on-one mentorships and an opportunity to work as a paid
production assistant on projects supported by the production incentive program. 20 This fiscal year, two
program production assistants worked on the feature film Train Dreams, and one worked on 213 Bones.
Given the success of this pilot program and the availability of workforce development dollars, Washington
Filmworks will launch a more expansive entry-level pathway program in FY2026.
Business development
Washington Filmworks defines business development as pursuing strategic opportunities by cultivating
partnerships and other commercial relationships and by identifying new market opportunities. Washington
Filmworks' business development efforts were focused on Washington and at production centers and film
events.
A notable addition to this work is a contract with Gersh, the fourth-largest talent and literary agency in the
world. Washington Filmworks signed a contract in June 2024 and is facilitating introductions and meetings
with producers, directors and financiers to discuss the benefits of filming in Washington.
The following is a list of partners and commercial relationships Washington Filmworks maintains:
• National production centers and film industry events
• Sundance Film Festival (January 2025)
• Los Angeles sales trips (July/October 2024, April/May 2025)
• AWB Hill Climb (Olympia)
• City of Seattle MXR
• City of Seattle’s Film Commission
• Executive Film Advisory Board (King County)
• Film Day (Olympia)
• Rainier Club (Seattle)
• Screen Actors Guild Awards (Seattle)
• Seattle Creates Events
• Seattle International Film Festival
• Seattle University
• State of Washington Tourism Conference
• Tasveer Film Market (Seattle)
• University of Washington
• Washington State Chamber of Commerce Convention
• Membership Organizations
20 IATSE Local 488, "IATSE Local 488 represents film, television, commercial, and theater crew members across the Pacific Northwest,
including Washington, Oregon, Montana and Northern Idaho,"
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 16
• American Advertising Federation
• Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI)
• Association of Washington Businesses
• Film USA
• Location Managers Guild International
• Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 17
Annual list of projects funded July 2024 to June 2025
Following is a list of all projects that applied for and received Motion Picture Competitiveness Program funding
in fiscal year 2025. Each project listed in this report includes the project title, a link to the project, production
dates, filming locations, synopsis and notable information.
Photo Credit: Washington Filmworks
213 Bones (feature film)
Link: Not Available
Filming Dates: October 27, 2023 - November 21, 2023
Where to See It: Premiering at Fright Fest (London)
Filming Locations: Spokane
Synopsis: A group of anthropology students discovers that studying the past can be deadly in a slick, smart
whodunnit horror. When they begin finding human bones and personal property scattered around their
campus, it becomes clear that a gruesomely masked maniac is brutally targeting them and late-night study
sessions turn into a frantic race to unveil the attacker’s identity before they all end up as a textbook homicide
case.
Notable: Behind the Scenes Video
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 18
Photo Credit: Motion State, Amber Konnie
2025 ProV1 Launch Campaign (commercial)
Link: Final Commercial21
Filming Dates: May 21, 2024 - May 23, 2024
Where to See It: NBC Sports Channel, Titleist Website, PGA Events
Filming Locations: Gamble Sands Golf Course (Brewster)
Synopsis: 2025 launch campaign for the Titleist Pro V1, the number one ball in golf. This campaign celebrates
the 25th anniversary of the Titleist Pro V1 ball.
Notable: Behind the Scenes Video
21 Titleist Pro V1, Motion State, 2024
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 19
Photo Credit: Motion State, Ryan Brien
Ascent AS (commercial)
Link: Final Commercial
Filming Dates: May 1, 2024 - May 3, 2024
Where to See It: National Television
City Filming Locations: Seattle, Snoqualmie Pass, Ronald, Woodinville
Synopsis: Encompassing two 15-second national advertising spots and one 90 second running footage
package to be used by Bridgestone vendors and retailers. In one advertisement Bridgestone tires help a father
and daughter get to their destination in Cle Elum, WA, enabling them to continue their tradition of adventuring.
The second spot tells the story of a father and son who reconnect on a road trip on their way to the lake.
Notable: “We are very fortunate to call Washington State our home and even luckier to get to shoot in all the
stunning landscapes that our state has to offer. Thankfully, the team at Washington Filmworks also believes in
this notion and has created a wonderful program to help incentivize both local and out-of-state productions to
take advantage of rural areas of Washington. This particular project for Bridgestone, with the support of
Washington Filmworks, helped us expand our location reach and get to shoot in beautiful Kittitas County.” —
Motion State
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 20
Photo Credit: Providence1_Credit_Rupert
Providence Winter Campaign
Link: Final Commercial: Teri’s Story and Final Commercial: Sang-Hee’s Story
Filming Dates: October 15, 2024 - October 18, 2024 / November 12, 2024 - November 15, 2024
Where to See It: Regional Television
City Filming Locations: Bow, Cle Elum, Seattle, Shoreline,
Synopsis: As part of a broader advertising campaign, Providence Swedish highlighted the advanced, high-
touch and personalized care offered at their institutes and regional medical centers. This campaign used a
testimonial-style creative direction to showcase the high-touch, personalized care that Providence Swedish is
known for.
Notable: Behind the Scenes: Skagit County Shoot and Behind the Scenes: Kittitas County Shoot
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 21
Photo Credit: Netflix
Train Dreams (feature film)
Link: Official Trailer
Filming Dates: April 11, 2025 - May 23, 2025
Where to See It: Netflix (in theatres November 21, 2025)
City Filming Locations: Colville, Metaline Falls, Spokane
Synopsis: Based on Denis Johnson's beloved novella, Train Dreams is the moving portrait of Robert Grainier, a
logger and railroad worker who leads a life of unexpected depth and beauty in the rapidly changing America of
the early 20th Century.
Notable: Official Selection, Sundance Film Festival and Official Selection, Toronto International Film Festival.
The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews and stars Joel Edgerton and past
Academy Award nominees Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon and William H. Macy. The industry publication
Deadline indicates that Netflix will run an Oscar campaign to support its release in theatres.
Critical Acclaim:
“A Western epic of breathtaking visual splendor” — TheWrap
“One of the best pictures of the year” — Vulture
“Elevates Bentley into the league of essential American filmmakers” — The Hollywood Reporter
“A gorgeous and poignant film of quiet, bruised life” — The Guardian
“The finest offering at this year’s Sundance Film Festival” — The Daily Beast
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 22
Photo Credit: Wondercamp
True to Nature (commercial)
Filming Dates: September 16, 2024 - September 20, 2024
Where to See It: On YouTube
County Filming Locations: Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Skagit
Synopsis: The campaign is a Washington State Tourism initiative highlighting the state's diverse landscapes
and experiences. It aims to inspire people to explore and connect with nature, featuring stories and videos
produced by local filmmakers. The campaign includes various content formats showcasing outdoor spaces
and encouraging travel bookings.
Notable: The project received an internet commercial Bronze Award at The Show 2025
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 23
Photo Credit: The Uncertain Detective
The Uncertain Detective Episode 3 (online episodic series)
Link: YouTube (Series Home)
Filming Dates: June 17, 2024 - June 26, 2024
Where to See It: YouTube: Season 3
City Filming Locations: Seattle, North Bend, Cle Elum, Yakima, Ellensburg
Synopsis: A film director creates a surreal, neo-noir TV series featuring a bumbling detective, casts his wife
and kids in it and tries to juggle his two worlds as they become increasingly intertwined. In the show, as in their
lives, each character tries to solve the central mystery of life: in a world that seems to be falling apart, where is
the love that binds us together?
Notable:
Local press reviews:
"So charming. You just really enjoy being around this family. Very funny, very dry humor, featuring a ton of
great Seattle actors." — KUOW
"A genuine portrayal of what it's like to live and work as a family of artists, inhabiting and exhibiting
different selves. The comedy is subtle and self-deprecating...funny and appealingly odd." — Crosscut
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 24
The following is information on the SBPI projects that have completed production and received funding
assistance but have not yet premiered publicly:
Photo Credit: Washington Filmworks
Branches (short film)
Island Location: Whidbey Island
Synopsis: In the aftermath of a leg amputation due to cancer, ex-dancer Quinn (30's) finds herself back home
with family on an island in the Salish Sea. Feeling suffocated by her lack of independence, grueling recovery
process and the haunting old growth forest that surrounds them, she decides to go out on the town for the first
time since her diagnosis. The outing leads to a string of unsettling meetings that shake up her perspective and
force her to confront an unexplained childhood encounter in that old growth forest in order to make sense of
her loss and find healing.
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 25
Photo Credit: Barbara Saurmann
Mermaid Ward Locations: King, Kittitas, London
Synopsis: An autobiographical feature documentary which chronicles the accidents, trauma and grief that
preceded an acute psychotic episode the filmmaker, Mischa Jakupcak, experienced decades ago while
completing her master’s degree at the London Film School.
This first-person documentary explores issues of identity, trauma, culture, grief, mental illnesses and
filmmaking. What was clinically diagnosed as an Acute Psychotic Episode was, in fact, also a spiritual
emergency. She experienced an existential crisis in which language broke down, her mind shattered and her
understanding of her life’s purpose, goals, values, attitudes and beliefs all imploded.
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 26
Photo Credit: Alley Rutzel
Whose Woods Are These | County Location: Snohomish
Synopsis: The story of two young friends who set out to solve the mystery of Henry Granger, the ancient hermit
who lives on the outskirts of their country town.
Post-production Updates: During this fiscal year, funds for postproduction completion packages were
allocated to Going Home Season 2, Penelope Season 1 and Tim Travers and the Time Traveler's Paradox.
Refer to the 2024 Motion Picture Competitiveness Report for more detailed information about these
productions.
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 27
Appendix A: Projects by fiscal year
Following is a list of projects that have received funding through the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program from
fiscal years 2007 through 2025. These projects are sorted by year and by project type.
2007
Commercial
Lipitor
Feature
The Holidays
2008
Commercial
Mervyn’s
WA Lottery Tumbling
Feature
Diamond Dog
Little Dizzle
The Golden Door
Travelling
Movie of the Week
Letter to Bill Gates
True Adolescents
2009
Commercial
Hyundai
Mervyn’s LP
BECU
WA Lottery Frisbee
Feature
Finding Bliss
Alicia’s Book
Norman
The Whole Truth
Give ’Em Hell, Malone
Oy Vey My Son Is Gay
Wrong Turn at Tahoe
The Whole Truth (listed twice in Appendix A)
Feature Commit/Commercial
World’s Greatest Dad
Movie of the Week
Dear Lemon Lima
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 28
2010
Commercial
Banner Bank
Target
Campbell’s
Chevrolet
MS in Store
MS Sherlock
Xbox360 Lips
Coors
Catch 22
Feature
$5 Cover
The Ward
The Details
The Joneses
The Big Bang
The Hit List
Late Autumn
2011
Commercial
MS Natal
Toyota Running Footage
Evergreen
Xbox
Bank of America
WA Lottery Celebration
Chevy Silverado
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
Bridgestone
Ben Bridge
Green Squirrel
Navy Spirit Lake
Chevy Crossroads
WA Lottery Beneficiary
WA Lottery How to Play
WA Lottery Joust
Xbox Play
Feature
Knights of Badassdom
Grassroots
The River Sorrow
Camilla Dickinson
Movie of the Week
Thunderballs
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 29
2012
Commercial
Humira
Cathay Pacific
MS Xbox Kinect
Xbox 360 (042012)
Feature
Safety Not Guaranteed
Fat Kid Rules the World
21 and Over
Mine Games
Eden
2013
Commercial
Ford Summer Sales Event
Xbox (062012)
99 Tigers
Glad
Bank of America
Green Mountain Coffee
American Family Insurance
Feature
You Can’t Win
Touchy Feely
One Square Mile
Admissions
A Bit of Bad Luck
Deep Burial
Lucky Them
Post
One Square Mile
2014
Commercial
KIA
Sugar Plum
WA Lottery (Royale)
Samsung
WA Healthplan Finder
Feature
Different Drummers, Prod/Post
Laggies, Prod/Post
Seven Minutes, Prod/Post
The Architect
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 30
West of Redemption
Innovation Lab Project
The Maury Island Incident
Post Production
Touchy Feely
A Bit of Bad Luck
You Can’t Win
Deep Burial
2015
Commercial
Toyota Running Footage
Alaska Airlines
JP Morgan-Chase
Subaru
Episodic
Z Nation, Season Episodes 1–13
Feature
Captain Fantastic
Innovation Lab Project
Box Walk
Rocket Men
Post Production
The Architect
2016
Commercial
Nissan
Bank of America
Ford
Episodic
Z Nation, Season 2 Episodes 1–15
Rancho Rosa
Feature Post
West of Redemption
Innovation Lab Project
Salish Seas
War Room
Strowlers
Automata
Innovation Lab Project Post
Salish Seas
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 31
2017
Episodic
Z Nation, Season 3 Episodes 1–15
Innovation Lab Project
Polae
Wallflower
This Brute Land Virginia
2018
Episodic
Z Nation, Season 4 Episodes 1–13
Untitled Grey’s Anatomy Spinoff
Innovation Lab Project
Tabitha Witch of the Order
2019
Episodic
Z Nation, Season 5 Episodes 1–13
Feature
Language Arts
2020
Episodic
Three Busy Debras, Season 1 Episodes 1–6
Feature
East of the Mountains
Home Sweet Home
All Those Small Things
Post Production
Language Arts
2021
Post Production
All Those Small Things
2022
Episodic
Three Busy Debras, Season 2 Episodes 1–10
Going Home Season 1 Episodes 1–6
Feature
Boon
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 32
Midday Black Midnight Blue
Year of the Fox (Partial)
2023
Episodic
Penelope Episode 1
Feature
Dreamin’ Wild
Year of the Fox
2024
Commercial
True to Nature
Model Year Product Release CFMoto
Episodic
Penelope Episodes 2
Going Home Season 2 Episodes 1–6
Feature
Tim Travers and the Time Travelling Paradox
Small Budget Production Initiative Feature
Inheritance
Small Budget Production Initiative Short
Bottlecap
2025
Commercial
2025 Pro V1 Launch Campaign
Ascent AS
Providence Winter Campaign
True to Nature
Feature
213 Bones
Train Dreams
Post
Going Home Season 2
Penelope Season 1
Tim Travers and the Time Traveler’s Paradox
Small Budget Production Initiative Episodic
The Uncertain Detective Episode 3
Small Budget Production Initiative Feature
The Mermaid Ward
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 33
Small Budget Production Initiative Short
Branches
Whose Woods Are These
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 34
Appendix B: Summary descriptive statistics
Overview
Appendix B provides cumulative and year-by-year summary descriptive statistics for projects funded by the Motion
Picture Competitiveness Program (MPCP) from FY 2007 through FY 2025, including:
• Number of MPCP projects completed
• Qualified MPCP spending
• MPCP funds distributed
• Washington hires
• Jobs by salary tiers
• Benefits-eligible jobs
Yearly summary descriptive statistics data charts are organized in this Appendix by time periods as follows:
• Appendix B section 1 covers fiscal years in the period 2007-2013
• Appendix B section 2 covers fiscal years in the period 2014 to 2020
• Appendix B section 3 covers fiscal years in the period 2021-2025, as well as cumulative data.
Summary descriptive statistics key cumulative highlights FY 2007 – FY 2025
The Motion Picture Competitive Program has delivered substantial cumulative economic impact from 2007-2025,
fostering local employment and shifting the workforce toward higher-paying, benefits-eligible positions. The Motion
Picture Competitiveness Program legislation focuses on creating "family wage jobs with health and retirement
benefits". While early years were dominated by lower-wage jobs, recent years show strong growth in mid- and high-
wage categories, reflecting a maturing industry and successful policy interruptions.
Cumulatively from 2007-2025, the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program supported 149 film projects. $53.85M
in Motion Picture Competitiveness Program funds were distributed, which spurred $197M in qualified spending,
generating significant economic activity in Washington. 26,694 jobs have been created through Motion Picture
Competitiveness Program; 20,733 of these jobs were held by Washington residents.
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 35
Appendix B, Section 1: 2007 – 2013
Table B.1.1 Summary descriptive statistics, 2007 to 2013
This table shows the number of projects completed, qualified spending, funds distributed, and number of
Washington hires by year for the period of 2007-2013. This data shows rapid growth in project activity 2007-2013,
peaking at 22 projects in FY 2011. Qualified spending rose from \$1M (FY 2007) to \$18.4M (FY 2010). There was
strong in-state employment impact, with Washington hires consistently outnumbering non-residents.
Category FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013
Number of projects that have completed
principal photography and completion 2 8 14 16 22 9 14
packages have been reviewed
Verified total qualified spend per review $1,047,031 $6,704,051 $15,808,957 $18,387,627 $13,465,933 $10,899,713 $9,435,555
Total funds distributed $203,665 $1,337,810 $3,205,607 $5,516,288 $3,992,689 $3,119,780 $2,570,383
Total Washington hires 94 1,162 2,590 1,804 2,048 1,868 1,470
Total non-Washington hires 40 141 575 311 332 250 229
Table B.1.2. Total jobs created for Washington residents through the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program,
by salary tier, 2007-2013
Table B.1.2 Shows number of Washington jobs by salary range. Washington’s salary distribution shows most jobs
concentrated in the lowest tier, with mid-range positions forming a smaller share and high-wage roles starting as
the smallest but steadily increasing. This trend indicates a workforce historically anchored in lower wages, with
gradual upward movement toward higher-paying jobs over time. In 2013, the data metrics changed from salary
ranges to hourly rates.
Category FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013
Number of Washington jobs up to
$30,000; starting 2013, up to $15 per 93 493 364 843 211 223 765
hour
Number of Washington jobs from
$30,000 to $60,000; starting 2013, 1 54 412 488 512 354 287
from $15 to $30 per hour
Number of Washington jobs over
$60,000; starting 2013, over $30 per 0 145 270 209 316 221 418
hour
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 36
Table B.1.3. Number of Washington jobs with benefits created by salary tier jobs 2007-2013
The data in this table shows benefits-eligible jobs shifted upward between 2007-2013, with notable growth in
higher-paid positions.
Category FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013
Number of benefits-eligible
Washington jobs up to $30,000
46 315 138 2 52 160 126
Number of benefits-eligible
Washington jobs from $30,000 to 1 41 324 155 244 247 278
$60,000
Number of benefits-eligible
0 138 111 85 182 221 360
Washington jobs over $60,000
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 37
Appendix B, Section 2: 2014 – 2020
Table B.2.1. Summary descriptive statistics 2014 through 2020
This table shows the number of projects completed, qualified spending, funds distributed, and number of
Washington hires by year for the period of 2014-2020. The data shows a decline in project volume from 11 projects
in FY 2014 to 4 projects in FY 2020. Spending and funds distributed remained stable mid-decade, then tapered.
Washington hires stayed strong with modest decline after FY 2016.
Category FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020
Number of projects that have completed
principal photography and completion 11 8* 9** 4*** 3**** 2† 4††
packages have been reviewed
Verified total qualified spend per review $9,688,254 $11,109,475 $12,450,689 $8,689,410 $7,600,534 $8,857,697 $6,290,396
Total funds distributed $2,649,530 $3,366,665 $3,366,763 $2,943,560 $2,572,400 $2,999,472 $1,977,847
Total Washington hires 1,294 2,491 2,696 2,025 1,806 2054 859
Total non-Washington hires 211 429 748 542 530 663 126
* For reporting purposes, Washington Filmworks counts “Z Nation” Season 1 with 13 individual episodes as one project.
** For reporting purposes, Washington Filmworks counts “Z Nation” Season 2, with 15 individual episodes, as one project.
*** For reporting purposes, Washington Filmworks counts “Z Nation” Season 3, with 15 individual episodes, as one project.
**** For reporting purposes, Washington Filmworks counts “Z Nation” Season 4, with 13 individual episodes, as one project.
† For reporting practices, Washington Filmworks counts “Z Nation” Season 5 with 13 individual episodes as one project.
†† For reporting practices, Washington Filmworks counts “Three Busy Debras” Season 1 with 6 individual episodes as one project
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 38
Table B.2.2. Total jobs created for Washington residents through the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program,
by salary tier, 2014-2020
This data shows total number of Washington jobs by salary range, with clear upward movement in wage
distribution and significant growth in high-wage positions in the 2014-2020 period.
Category FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020
Number of Washington jobs up to $15
619 1,023 963 722 340 577 272
per hour
Number of Washington jobs from $15
270 831 995 726 513 519 353
to $30 per hour
Number of Washington jobs over $30
240 637 738 577 953 958 234
per hour
Table B.2.3. Total number of Washington benefits-eligible jobs created through the Motion Picture
Competitiveness Program, by salary tier, 2014-2020
This data shows Washington benefits-eligible jobs concentrated increasingly in mid- and high-wage tiers in the
period 2014-2020.
Category FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020
Number of benefits-eligible
118 60 17 3 10 1 9
Washington jobs up to $30,000
Number of benefits-eligible
Washington jobs from $30,000 to 256 744 755 654 289 277 139
$60,000
Number of benefits-eligible
378 500 668 549 936 927 225
Washington jobs over $60,000
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 39
Appendix B, Section 3: 2021 – 2025
Table B.3.1. Summary descriptive statistics 2021 through 2025
Table B.3.1 shows the number of projects completed, qualified spending, funds distributed, and number of
Washington hires by year for the period of 2021-2025. The data illustrates post-pandemic rebound from 2021-2025,
with 10 projects completed in FY 2025. Qualified spending surged to \$11.4M in FY 2022, staying strong through
FY 2025. Funds distributed peaked at \$4.96M in FY 2025.
2007-2025
Category FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
Totals
Number of projects that have completed principal
photography and completion packages have been 0 5††† 2†††† 6 10 149
reviewed
Verified total qualified spend per review $116,212 $11,428,202 $8,449,173 $7,808,259 $10,950,089 $179,187,256
Total funds distributed $31,241 $3,751,735 $2,561,020 $2,727,807 $4,960,512 $53,854,774
Total Washington hires 4 1,676 921 1,034 837 28,733
Total non-Washington hires 0 196 183 242 213 5,961
††† For reporting practices, Washington Filmworks counts “Three Busy Debras” Season 2 with 10 individual episodes as one project and
“Going Home Season 1 with 6 individual episodes as one project.
†††† Penelope is being counted as one project but had 8 episodes across two reporting periods.
Table B.3.2. Total jobs created for Washington residents through the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program,
by salary tier, 2021-2025
Table B.3.2 shows the number of Washington jobs by salary range between 2021-2025, with a surge in Washington
hires after FY 2021, totaling 4472 resident jobs created in this period.
2007-2025
Category FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY2025
Totals
Number of Washington jobs up to $15 per hour 0 31 44 20 9 7,612
Number of Washington jobs from $15 to $30 per hour 0 575 589 283 320 8,062
Number of Washington jobs over $30 per hour 4 1070 308 731 508 8,537
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 40
Table B.3.3. Total number of Washington benefits-eligible jobs created through the Motion Picture
Competitiveness Program, by salary tier, FY2021-2025
Table B.3.3 shows workforce increasingly concentrated in higher-wage positions between 2021-2025, with
benefits-eligible jobs dominated by the highest wage tier.
Category 2007-
FY
FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY2025 2025
2021
Totals
Number of benefits-eligible Washington jobs up to $30,000 0 4 3 2 6 1,072
Number of benefits-eligible Washington jobs from $30,000 to
0 156 52 30 17 4,659
$60,000
Number of benefits-eligible Washington jobs over $60,000 4 1020 250 669 381 7,604
FY2025 MOTION PICTURE COMPETITIVENESS REPORT PAGE 41
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