Why Lawton?

Lawton has many diverse locations and we take pride in being a "Film-Friendly Town" offering you low cost, quick response, and sourcing for your film projects. We can be a resource for you no matter the production phase. We are the fourth largest city in Oklahoma, and on Forbes' List of the top 100 places for business working closely with the Oklahoma Film & Music Office and other state offices. A message from the Oklahoma Film & Music Office below addresses recent State of Oklahoma Incentives.

Production Incentives? In 2007, the Mayor and City Council adopted and approved Resolution 07-05 as a means to enhance and assist production. To see the Resolution in its entirety, see the link, "Production Support & Incentives". It allows for consideration of fee waivers and other city services, equipment, and locations free of charge.

The Arts and Humanities Division's office can assist you with location scouting, finding office space, parking, storage, and other needs. Also, we can provide assistance in casting calls and other press releases through our "Arts E-vine" and the Lawton Arts and Entertainment Magazine.

For more information about what the City of Lawton has to offer, contact the Arts and Humanities Division's Office at 580-581-3470, 580-581-3471, or via email at LAHC@cityof.lawton.ok.us. To learn more, a brief history of our area.

Oklahoma Film Incentives Program More Than Doubles - 2009

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry signed into law Senate Bill 318. The measure increases the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate up to 37 percent cash back on Oklahoma expenditures, officials with the Oklahoma Film & Music Office announced.

Governor Brad Henry commented, “The movie and TV industry has changed dramatically over the last few years, with many states having seen a tremendous increase in film revenues after the passage of similar film legislation. Oklahoma’s beautiful and varied terrain makes the state a perfect locale for film and television productions. A competitive incentives package means we will increasingly be able to share what Oklahoma has to offer with the rest of the world.”

Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, who serves as the Chair of the Oklahoma Film Commission said “Oklahoma was one of the first states in the region to offer film rebates but in recent years our neighbors have surpassed our efforts,” Askins explained. “By enhancing our program we will have the economic tools to compete in attracting companies to Oklahoma.”

The provisions of SB 318 will be effective after the first of July, potentially providing motion picture companies up to a 37 percent rebate on Oklahoma expenditures. The rebate includes film, television and commercial productions, with a minimum budget of $50,000 and minimum in-state spending of $25,000. Total rebate payouts remain capped at $5 million per year.

According to Jill Simpson, “The increased percentage for our rebate will provide a major boost for Oklahoma’s film industry. In recent years, the program has not been competitive. This will effectively put us back at the table with neighboring states doing big business like New Mexico and Louisiana who each offer film rebates and tax credits in the 25-35% range. We’re confident it will be enough to put us over the top in landing several of the potential productions we’ve been working to recruit. It will also allow us to better support and grow our industry in the state.”

“We are pleased the Legislature took such proactive action,” said Hardy Watkins, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. “It is such a strong statement in support of our goal to develop and support creative industry jobs in Oklahoma and raises awareness of our state as a destination.”

The previous incentives program in Oklahoma offered up to 17% cash back on Oklahoma expenditures with a minimum budget threshold of $500,000. The state’s rebate program is administered by the Oklahoma Film & Music Office and the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

To read the full requirements for the rebate program, please visit www.oklahomafilm.org for more information. A revised application and instructions on the new processes in place will be available on July 7, 2009.

The Oklahoma Film & Music Office, a division of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, works to attract film, television, video, and music industries to Oklahoma through an effort to promote and expand these values and interests within the state. The Film & Music Office is committed to providing critical support to filmmakers by assisting them with their production concerns. Additional information can be found at www.oklahomafilm.org.

For direct inquiries, call (405) 230-8440, email: filminfo@oklahomafilm.org

Please visit the Oklahoma Film & Music Office's web site at: www.oklahomafilm.org