Economic Impact Report Release Event and Happy Hour
In case you missed it, the Maine Film Association’s Economic Impact Report Release Event and Happy Hour took place on Tuesday, July 28, at Mast Landing Brewing Company in Freeport. This event saw the culmination of the hard work of the Maine Film Office, Wallace Economic Advisers, the MFA — and YOU!
To recap, the Maine Film & Media Production Industry Economic Impact Study was conducted in partnership with the Maine Film Office and Department of Economic and Community Development, and was led by Ryan Wallace of Wallace Economic Advisers. Through this comprehensive study, we sought to understand the current Maine-based media-making workforce and its impact on Maine’s economy, identify opportunities to support and grow the industry, learn from policies and successes in other states and provinces, and envision future models and scenarios that would bolster Maine’s filmmaking industry.
Among study elements was a comprehensive survey, and film and media makers of all kinds were encouraged to participate. We received 230 respondents — a big thank you to everyone who participated!
Ryan Wallace, Principal Economist at Wallace Economic Advisers who conducted the study, presented the executive summary to the MFA faithful. The Maine Film Association cannot thank Wallace Economic Advisers enough for their comprehensive work to illustrate the current Maine film and media workforce, research and share successful initiatives other states have adopted, and model potential futures for Maine to support the industry. We also want to extend our deepest appreciation to the Maine Film Office for their invaluable contributions in bringing these findings to fruition. The complete report and summaries will be published this fall.
“Your continued input is what shapes how this study gets used to make the case in Augusta. This report doesn’t do anything on its own — it’s a tool, and it only works if it’s actually used to make a case.”
What can YOU do?
Share your story
Legislators respond to constituents. Specific, personal accounts of lost productions or missed opportunities carry real weight.
Stay engaged with MFA
Policy pushes move faster with visible, organized industry support behind them.
Keep the data current
Future surveys and updates depend on your continued participation — this is a living study, not a one-time snapshot.
Show up in Augusta
When this report informs a legislative proposal, testimony from working industry professionals matters most.
Check out all the photos from the Economic Impact Report Release Event below, and be sure to stay tuned to see the final, published report this fall!
For any inquiries, please reach out to info@mainefilm.org.
