A Message from CFA President
July 11, 2011
Dear Members and Friends:
On behalf of the CFA Board Members, I am pleased to report to you that the SC Film Rebate Proviso has passed both the House and the Senate and was placed into the final version of the Budget signed by Governor Nikki Haley that went into effect early July 2011. This is a tremendous victory for all of us who recognize the healthy, positive economic impact a vital film industry can have upon our State.
To all of you who worked with such passion starting in January and, in particular, in June when the fate of the film rebate proviso was in question, we send our thanks and appreciation for your willingness to lend a hand and show your support when it was so vitally needed. Your phone calls and emails make a difference.
Since January 2011, when the CFA made the decision to take on the responsibility of acquiring the services of Sunnie Harmon & John DeWorken as our Issue Advocates, it has been proven every month that we made the correct decision. The team of Sunnie & DeWorken has been tireless in their approach and efforts to keep CFA’s goals in front of our Legislators, diligent in keeping our Board informed in a timely manner of the intricacies of the Legislative Process and completely conscientious keeping their focus to insure that CFA goals were met and the film rebates remained in the budget for another year. Each week, they spent many hours in the State House with SC House and Senate members informing Legislators about the importance of the passage of this film legislation and were relentless on behalf of the CFA and the film industry in SC. They know how much we appreciate and value all of their hard work.
But this is not the end of the story. We begin a new chapter today in reaching our goal of permanent film rebate legislation for SC. This legislation will put our State on an even playing field with our sister states in the Southeast. Once again, SC will be able to solicit major feature films and television series and films from studios and independent producers and offer the stability needed to bring these projects to our State. We continue to ask for your support and assistance by volunteering your time and helping the CFA financially when you can.
Exciting news of CFA Events and Goals will be announced soon. We invite everyone to help us and be a part of the CFA team as we reach our new goals in 2012!
Richard Futch
President – Carolina Film Alliance
Clear 73 oF
