County of Riverside Film Incentive

Press Release

For Immediate Release

COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE LAUNCHES NEW FILM INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO BOOST ECONOMY

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Palm Springs, California, August 31th, 2015 – Today, the Greater Palm Springs Film Alliance announces a Riverside County Film Incentive Program to attract more film, television and still photography production to the unincorporated areas of Riverside County, including areas of the Coachella Valley. The County of Riverside will waive all film and still photography permit fees for unincorporated areas of the county and also waive permit fees and location fees for productions that film on county owned property. Additionally, the County is waiving TOT (transient occupancy tax) for stays at hotels in unincorporated areas during film shoots.

“This is a huge win for Coachella Valley residents and businesses that cater to the film industry,” said Sheri Davis, Director of the Greater Palm Springs Film Alliance and Film Office. “Most people don’t realize how much these productions contribute to our local economy. A low budget 3-day commercial or music video can bring in upwards of $250,000. When you think about where the crew will sleep, who will fix their meals, location costs and the local film crew they hire, including sheriff and fire crews, it adds up. A proactive film incentive like this helps the Greater Palm Springs Film Alliance send the important message to the film industry that the Coachella Valley is film friendly and open for business.”

The Riverside County Film Commission, the office spearheading the program, is only one of many agencies issuing film permits in the Coachella Valley. All cities and tribal lands in the valley operate their own film offices and are responsible for their own incentives. The Riverside County Film Incentive Program does not apply to those entities.

In the Coachella Valley, unincorporated areas and towns of Riverside County cover more territory than any single city. Unincorporated areas and towns eligible for the film incentive program include; Cabazon, Bermuda Dunes, Thousand Palms, Indio Hills, Sky Valley, North Palm Springs and many pockets in between. The Riverside County Film Incentive Program is offered to all unincorporated areas of Riverside County.

About the Greater Palm Springs Film Alliance & Film Office

Recognized as the official Film Office of the Greater Palm Springs region, the Greater Palm Springs Film Alliance and Film Office (www.filmpalmsprings.com) is the Coachella Valley’s economic development resource dedicated to grow and expand the motion picture and entertainment industries. The Alliance encompasses many activities, such as attracting and promoting film and television productions, facilitating access to filming locations, connecting producers with local crew and vendors, and acts as liaison between industry and government entities; all while marketing the greater Palm Springs area as a world-class production region in the United States. The Alliance works with all local governments, including city, county, state and tribal entities.

About Riverside County and the Riverside County Film Commission

The Riverside County Film Incentive Program is administered by the Riverside County Film Commission (www.filmriversidecounty.com). The Commission, which was orignally formed as a Film Office in October of 2013, provides a single resource to the film community to find locations and apply for permits within Riverside County. In addition to a streamlined permit process and inviting incentives, the Riverside County Film Commission is dedicated to providing professional, expedited concierge service, to help ensure a pleasant experience while filming in Riverside County.

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Riverside County Fairgrounds – Indio, California

Indio Law Building – Indio, California

Riverside County Courthouse – Palm Springs, California

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