Blog

Crain’s Cleveland Business has been following the Cleveland Film industry closely as the GCFC fought to save the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, and with the recent leadership transition announcement, they sat down with incoming GCFC President Evan Miller, a Cleveland Native and talent agent, to discuss what’s next for the GCFC under his leadership.  ORIGINAL...

Dear Friends of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, Today, I would like to inform you about our transitioning leadership. Effective July 31, 2019, longtime president Ivan Schwarz will be leaving the GCFC to focus on his work with LIKE Entertainment, a new production company co-created with his wife Katia. He will be succeeded by industry...

We saved Ohio’s film industry!!! The $40 million per year Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit has been approved in the 2020 Ohio bi-annual state budget. A HUGE thanks to those who wrote letters, made calls, shared our social media posts, and everyone who showed up to testify in front of the Ohio Senate. The Greater Cleveland...

In our fight to #SaveOhioFilmJobs, media production professionals from all across the state have lent their voice in support of saving the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit.   Since 2009, the incentive has been responsible for creating over 5,000 full-time-equivalent (FTE) jobs, and an economic impact of over $750 million. Real jobs. Real people. Real...

Today, the Ohio Senate has passed the Senate’s version of the budget which included the reinstatement of the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit. Thank you to everyone who has shown support by writing letters, sharing our social media posts, making phone calls, and especially to those who submitted and gave testimony. WE NEED YOUR HELP...

These are the faces of the Ohio film and television industry.   Over 5,000 full-time-equivalent (FTE) jobs have been created since the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit was enacted in 2009. If the program is discontinued, most of those people will have to seek employment in other states.   According to a study by the...

Interested Party Testimony for Am. Sub. HB 166 Presented by Ivan Schwarz President, Greater Cleveland Film Commission Mr. Chairman Dolan, Vice Chair Burke, Ranking Member Sykes, and Committee Members: My name is Ivan Schwarz, and I am the President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. I am here today to testify to the...

The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on Thursday, May 23rd on Sub. H.B. 166 to hear testimony on state tax matters. Film and TV industry professionals traveled from all across the state to show solidarity with us as we led the charge to testify to save the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit program. Over...

CALL TO ACTION: Join us in Columbus on Thursday, May 23rd at 9:00 AM to testify for the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit WHO:  EVERYONE WHAT:  HEARING ON SUB. SB 166 WHERE: FINANCE SENATE HEARING ROOM WHEN:  MAY 23, 2019 TIME: 9:00 AM SHARP The Senate Finance Committee will be holding a hearing on Sub....

The Ohio House has proposed ending the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit as a means to help fund a reduction in state income taxes. We believe to eliminate the tax credit is a GRAVE ERROR that will do great damage to our economy and to so many Ohio taxpayers who either work in media production, run...