Louisiana revamps film incentives to reclaim title as ‘Hollywood of the South’

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Louisiana’s film industry is poised for a comeback after lawmakers passed Senate Bill 232, an update to the state’s film incentive program. Supporters say the new legislation removes outdated caps and puts the Bayou State back in the national spotlight.

Jason Waggenspack, a leading voice in the industry and founder of Film Louisiana, says the reforms are essential for regaining competitiveness with international filming hubs.

“Projects these days are finding it to be a lot cheaper to go and do a lot of these outside of the country,” Waggenspack said.

“It’s a bit of a domestic issue we’re having right now. We’re trying to find ways of making it more competitive, not only here in Louisiana, but obviously in the United States.”

Under the new law, Louisiana eliminates the previous $20 million cap on production costs and the $3 million cap per individual in payroll expenses. The state now offers up to a 40% tax credit on in-state spending, including a 15% bonus for hiring Louisiana residents and companies.

Waggenspack said those updates could help lure larger productions and talent back to Louisiana, many of whom have shifted from feature films to episodic television.

“A lot of those bigger stars from the feature films are moving over to the episodic world—paying them over the course of six, eight, maybe ten episodes—that will go kind of well beyond that $3 million cap,” he said.

The film industry already brings an estimated $1 billion in economic activity to Louisiana each year, including $350 million in local payroll, according to Film Louisiana. But Waggenspack said that’s just part of the equation.

“It attracts tourism,” he noted. “The lieutenant governor does a study every year, and he shows that almost $1 billion in tourism is affected by people who have seen or watched television series and movies in and around—or have Louisiana as a setting—as their backdrop.”

For Waggenspack and other film advocates, the new legislation represents more than just economic opportunity—it’s a chance to tell richer stories from within the state.

“We really just need more rich storytelling here,” he said. “I’m really working hard with [Louisiana Economic Development] right now to figure out some new rules that we can create that’ll help it for more locals to create and tell great stories.”

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