Federal Film and TV Tax Incentive Bill Gets a Name as Momentum Builds
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President Trump has thrown his support behind a proposed federal tax credit aimed at reversing the decline in film and television production within the United States, giving the forthcoming legislation a name: "The Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act." The move follows years of Hollywood productions relocating overseas to countries offering more generous incentives, and marks a significant shift after the idea had previously seemed unlikely to gain traction. Trump said the bill enjoys "great bipartisan response and support in Congress" and pledged to bring the industry "back to America," framing it as a jobs-focused initiative designed to win over Republican lawmakers whose constituents are also affected by the loss of local production work.
The announcement followed a White House meeting between Trump and Hollywood's "special ambassador" Jon Voight, along with producers Steven Paul and Scott Karol, who warned that runaway production had reached a critical point as projects increasingly move to countries such as Britain, Canada and Australia. More than 120 nations now offer film subsidies, with the UK emerging as a particular hub for major productions, including Marvel Studios, which recently relocated from Georgia. British Film Commission figures show international productions spent roughly $7.8 billion (£6.2bn) in the UK economy in 2025, with US production spending up almost 30% year-on-year, underscoring the competitive pressure driving America's push for its own incentive.
- Trump backs new federal tax credit to boost US film production
- Bill named "Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act"
- UK and other countries have drawn productions away with tax incentives
Full account
Donald Trump’s backing for a federal US tax incentive for film and television production has given fresh momentum to an idea long promoted by parts of Hollywood. The proposed legislation has been given the title Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act, although its precise terms, value and timetable for introduction have not yet been set out publicly. Trump has described the measure as attracting cross-party interest and presented it as a way to return production work to the United States.
Supporters argue that American productions are increasingly being drawn abroad by more generous national and regional incentives. Britain, Canada and Australia are frequently cited as competing locations, while individual US states also offer substantial programmes. The proposed federal scheme is expected to be presented primarily as a jobs and investment measure, reflecting concerns that work lost to overseas locations affects crews, suppliers and other businesses as well as studios and performers.
The renewed push followed a White House meeting involving Trump, actor and special ambassador Jon Voight, producer Steven Paul and businessman Scott Karol. Participants reportedly argued that the scale of outward production had become critical. Paul said a project about Richard Nixon’s early life could be forced to film outside the US without federal support, and described Trump’s intervention as an opportunity to build bipartisan legislation. Industry groups, unions and the Motion Picture Association have also sought a federal credit after earlier proposals, including tariffs and other forms of support, did not result in a new programme.
The prospect of a US-wide incentive is also prompting debate in Canada. ACTRA has urged governments there to strengthen Canadian-made production rather than relying too heavily on American projects, while its Toronto branch has called for Ontario to improve its own credits to remain competitive. The union accepts that US productions provide important work for Canadian performers and crews, but warns that a sector dependent on one foreign market could be vulnerable if American incentives succeed in bringing more filming back across the border.
Where outlets differ
The first report concentrates on the emerging US bill, the White House meeting and Hollywood’s case that a federal credit could counter overseas competition; it also highlights Britain’s recent success in attracting major productions.
The second report focuses on Canada’s response, particularly ACTRA’s argument that stronger domestic Canadian storytelling is needed alongside incentives for international work. It frames the proposal within wider Canada-US trade tensions and provincial competition for production.
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