HUDSON VALLEY FILM COMMISSION
secures film production for Hudson Valley hours after tax break is announce

(Hudson Valley, NY) April, 2008 -  Hours after New York State tripled its tax incentive to 30 percent under the budget approved this week, the HUDSON VALLEY FIM COMMISSION confirmed that Brant Sersen's upcoming SPLINTERHEADS from Atlantic Pictures, would shoot in the Hudson Valley.

Hudson Valley Film Commissioner Laurent Rejto commented on the news. "We've been saying all along that if we can compete on an even playing field with the other states that have increased film incentives, we can bring films back to New York State where industry cast and crew members are ready, willing and able. The increase in the tax credit and the fact that it now 100% refundable in the first year will be an enormous boost to the film economy which was impacted with about $700 million dollar loss in revenue over the past tweve months."

“In good times and bad, film production goes on," added Lance Matteson, president of the Ulster County Development Corporation. "Now we have a real chance to do it here with a vengeance. The State of New York has boosted tax incentives for in-state filming to the point where it’s finally more like a fair fight with nearby states. The Hudson Valley Film Commission has already proven its ability to support world-class film production right here. Now it can do so with both fists. This is what we’ve been waiting for. The regional economy will be the winner.”

News of the film credit and the upcoming film production received applause from the sold out audience when announced at last night's nights special screening of National Geographic's HUMAN FOOTPRINT, which was primarily shot in New York's Hudson Valley in the summer of 2007 by UK's Touch Productions.

"The Human Footprint production is a perfect example of how film production is a clean and sustainable form of economic development, Rejto adds. "Touch Productions brought in a skeleton crew and hired almost excusively local cast and crew members, from assistant director, to crane operators, art directors, production assistants, caterers, etc. They rented local offices, storage spaces, accomodations, transportation and they ate out and filled local bars almost every night during the course of production. And then they left without leaving any pollutions, urban sprawl or anything that could cause harm to our beautiful region. For every dollar spent by a film production, prosperity calculations suggest that the revenue can be multiplied by six. At that rate, Human Footprint left about $2 million dollars in the Hudson Valley."

SPLINTERHEADS is scheduled to shoot in early July. The commission is current seeking and referring locations, crew members, accomodations and other requirements the production requires. A list of needs is posted at http://members.sitegadgets.com/wfc/board/313.html

About the Hudson Valley Film Commission:
The Hudson Valley Film Commission (HVFC) , working under the auspices of the Woodstock Film Festival, is a conduit for preproduction, production, and postproduction for filmmaking in the Hudson Valley/Catskill region. Support is provided throughout the year to studio features, independent features, print, new media, short films, student projects, and TV ads. The commission offers technical, location, and talent guidance, referrals, networking opportunities, email blasts, and promotion through press opportunities including the monthly e-newsletter, which is sent to 13,000 recipients. The HVFC has also referred several local projects to production companies and financial channels. In order to make information fully accessible, a free online production directory for local film professionals is provided and maintained online. See hvfc for additional info.

Recent projects include Human Footprint, The Cake Eaters (directed by Mary Stuart Masterson) The Night Listener (starring Robin Williams), The White Countess (extras ADR, directed by James Ivory), War of the Worlds (directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise), Before It Had a Name (starring Willem Dafoe), Dead Flowers (postproduction only, directed by Jim Jarmusch and starring Bill Murray, Sharon Stone, Jessica Lange.), The Thing About My Folks (starring Paul Reiser and Peter Falk), Down to the Bone (winner of two prizes at 2004 Sundance Film Festival), Personal Velocity (Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2002), and much more.

About the Woodstock Film Festival:
SAVE THE DATE: October 1-5.
The Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to present an annual program and year-round schedule of film, music, and art-related activities that promotes artists, culture, inspired learning, and diversity.

Now in it's ninth year, the Woodstock Film Festival has established itself as one of the best independent film events in the country by premiering exceptional films, hosting emerging and established industry professionals, and presenting A-list concerts, parties, panels and stimulating year-round programming. 2007 film highlights include THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY, I'M NOT THERE, LARS AND THE REAL GIRL, WAR/DANCE, CONSTANTINE'S SWORD and many more. Select participantshave included Tim Robbins, Aidan Quinn, Matt Dillon, Rosie Perez, Laura Linney, Woody Harrelson, Steve Buscemi, Peter Gabriel, Todd Haynes, Christine Vachon, and others.