Sundance Film Festival

Washington State production industry will promote new financial benefits for filmmakers

For the 5th consecutive year, Washington State government agencies and businesses will be in Park City, Utah during the Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals to promote the financial and aesthetic benefits of film production and post-production within Washington State. The group will introduce new financial incentives which provide funding assistance to independent filmmakers. When combined with existing tax and vendor savings programs the new incentives give filmmakers a compelling reason to take a serious look at Washington State for reasons beyond the unrivaled variety of locations throughout the State.

The events include the Washington Party which will begin with a VIP cocktail reception followed by a concert presented by Sub Pop Records featuring the cutting edge sounds of popular artists Low, The Album Leaf and Death Vessel. Additionally, the Washington State Film Office, Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, Seattle Mayor’s Office of Film and Music, and W Seattle will co-host two special invitation dinners prepared by Executive Chef Adam Stevenson of Earth & Ocean restaurant.

This year the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau has joined Western Washington businesses, the State Film Office and Seattle’s Office of Film and Music to host the Washington Party at the Star Bar (268 Main Street) in Park City, Utah on Saturday, January 20 from 8:00 pm – 2:00 am. The evening will begin with a VIP cocktail reception for invited guests from 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm with a concert to follow featuring Sub Pop Records recording artists Low, The Album Leaf and Death Vessel. The event will celebrate Sundance and Slamdance filmmakers and promote Washington as a vibrant destination for film production and post-production.

In addition to that night’s events, select Sundance and Slamdance filmmakers have been invited to one of two private dinners where they will share great food and wine. On Friday, January 18th and Sunday, January 21st, Executive Chef Adam Stevenson, of Earth & Ocean restaurant, will prepare an intimate and sumptuous five-course meal to be accompanied by wines personally presented by acclaimed Washington winemaker Eric Dunham of Dunham Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington.

A centerpiece for each event is the launch of WashingtonFilmWorks, a not-for-profit organization that will govern the annual $3.5 Million film fund in Washington State. The new incentive offers independent filmmakers a 20% return on money spent in Washington State up to $1 million per production. Applications as well as additional guidelines and criteria are available at www.WashingtonFilmWorks.org. For more information about other Washington State incentives visit the Washington State Film Office website: www.FilmWashington.com.

“The Washington activities in Park City during the Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals are an important forum for some of Seattle’s top business leaders to network with industry decision-makers,” said Mark MacDonald, Washington Party Chair and President of Victory Studios. “With the new film incentives coming online and the continued growth and vitality of our industry and its abundant resources, we want filmmakers to consider our state for their next production and truly understand that we are a compelling production destination. It is a win-win for both the filmmakers and the citizens of the State of Washington through positive impacts on the state’s economy and image.”

“Each year Washington’s presence at Park City has grown, but this year the combination of a new film incentive program, three hot Seattle bands and intimate dinners prepared by a coveted executive chef are going to be the cornerstone for boosting our presence in Park City”, said Suzy Kellett of the Washington State Film Office.

The Washington Party will be presented by governmental film industry organizations and entertainment industry vendors representing the entire spectrum of production and post-production services statewide.

This collective includes:

Alpha Cine Labs

Bad Animals

City of Seattle- Mayor’s Office of Film and Music

Media Inc.

Modern Digital

POP Multimedia

Screenplay Inc.

Seattle International Film Festival Group

Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau

Sub Pop Records

Victory Studios

W Seattle

Washington State Film Office

WashingtonFilmWorks