PRESS RELEASE: Maine Film Industry Exceeds $64M in Economic Impact on State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Maine Film Industry Exceeds $64M in Economic Impact on State

May 24, 2022 – Portland, ME: The Maine Film Association (MFA) has released a report stating that the Maine film and video production industry generates an annual total economic impact exceeding $64 million. The report can be found at mainefilm.org/eco-impact-report.

“Maine has a vibrant film and media industry that is ripe for growth,” says MFA Advocacy Chair Louise Rosen. “As Maine struggles with various challenges in natural resource- and tourist-reliant industries, the green, non-extractive film production industry is in fact a huge opportunity for workforce and economic growth.”

The report includes findings from a statewide survey, conducted as a collaborative effort between the MFA and University of Maine School of Economics Professor Todd Gabe. The survey collected 2019 industry revenue and expense data from a total of 128 Maine-based film and production entities: 38 companies and 90 freelance production professionals/independent filmmakers.

The study found that the Maine film and video production industry has a direct economic impact of $29.25 million in revenue, supports 312 full- and part-time jobs, and generates $16.1 million in direct labor income. The film industry’s impact on other sectors in the state– hospitality, retail, trades, legal, accounting services, etc. – result in a total economic impact of $64.3 million in revenue, 609 full- and part-time jobs, and generates $28.7 million in labor income.

Film and video production employs skilled workers who are trained in the creative arts and who possess technical skills that make them competitive in today’s labor force. The Maine film and video production sector comprises over 40 production companies and more than 200 freelance/independent filmmakers operating out of the state. These companies and professionals work in all stages and aspects of media production, creating and distributing feature length and short, narrative and documentary, commercial and educational film and video, multimedia installations, and animation.

“The State’s Economic Development Strategy calls for adding 75,000 people to the Maine workforce by 2029. Worldwide, the film- and media-making sector is growing exponentially.  Maine has the opportunity to create an environment that fosters growth within this innovative workforce, an environment that will entice young, creative, and tech-savvy professionals to come to Maine and offer exciting reasons for Maine’s own talent to stay,” says Rosen.

For additional information about the report or Maine film industry, please contact info@mainefilm.org.