Creating the Philadelphia Film Advisory Task Force.

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has been the setting of many acclaimed movies and television shows. The City’s neighborhoods and skyline provide an iconic backdrop to hundreds of such productions. Philadelphia offers prime locations for filming, from historic buildings to beautiful parks to bustling college campuses; and

WHEREAS, Attracting film production to Philadelphia and encouraging independent filmmaking directly benefits to the City. Production crews use local hotels, restaurants, other businesses, and labor; and

WHEREAS, While movies and television shows are still filmed in Philadelphia, the frequency with which large-budget film productions have chosen to locate in the City has declined. Meanwhile, cities such as Pittsburgh have seen significant increases in the number of films made within their limits; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has a sizable number of schools that produce talented filmmakers and young professionals whose creative talents Philadelphia should be competitively seeking to retain upon their graduation. Losing these creative individuals to other cities as they search for opportunities in the film industry hampers Philadelphia’s long-term competitiveness in many creative industries; and

WHEREAS, Film production is important to Philadelphia’s national reputation and the local economy. The more movies and television shows choose to shoot in Philadelphia, the more of a hub of the creative economy the City becomes; and

WHEREAS, As evidenced by and discussed in a May 12, 2017 hearing before the City Council Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy, there are many facets to Philadelphia’s film industry and many issues that must be addressed if Philadelphia’s status in the greater film industry is to improve; and

WHEREAS, An advisory body has been recommended by the members of the film community and the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy present at the May 12, 2017 hearing on the state of the Philadelphia film industry in order to endorse actions Council may take to benefit and grow the region’s film industry; now, therefore, be it

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY RESOLVES:

SECTION 1. Creation of the Philadelphia Film Advisory Task Force. The Philadelphia Film Advisory Task Force (hereafter referred to as “the Task Force”) is hereby created as a Council advisory body.

SECTION 2. Composition of the Task Force. The Task Force shall be composed of fifteen (15) members appointed by Council by resolution. Council shall appoint at least one member from each of the following occupations and organizations: The Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy; the Greater Philadelphia Film Office; film studio owners/operators; casting directors; actors; labor representatives; crew members; independent filmmakers; post-production workers; film tax credit experts; and women and minority filmmakers. City Council shall appoint one of the members of the Task Force to serve as the Chair of the Task Force unless the Task Force selects an alternative Chair.

SECTION 3. Function of the Task Force. The Task Force shall consider the history of the film industry in Philadelphia, evaluate the current state of the film industry in Philadelphia, and develop a strategic plan for the re-establishment of Philadelphia as a competitive destination for film and television productions.

SECTION 4. Meetings of the Task Force. The Task Force shall be convened within 45 days of its creation and shall meet at such times as a majority of its members deem necessary and appropriate.

SECTION 5. Report of the Task Force. Within one year of its first meeting, The Task Force shall prepare and distribute to the Mayor, all Members of City Council, and any interested members of the public a report of its findings and its strategic plan.

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