January 4, 2005- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg yesterday signed into law a five percent City tax credit for qualified film and television productions "Made in NY". The credit is part of the “Made in NY” incentive program which the Mayor promised to deliver in his State of the City address and officially unveiled in August 2004.

“This film tax credit will make New York City more competitive and provide more jobs to professionals in this key economic sector,” Mayor Bloomberg said. “I am incredibly delighted to be able to sign this legislation into law. New York City is the greatest film set in the world and, this law will help return New York City to prominence as a location for film and television production, ensuring that films that are set in New York City are actually shot there.”

Individuals speaking in favor of the bill included Dick Wolf, creator of Law & Order; John Penotti, President of GreeneStreet Films; Llewellyn Wells, Executive Producer of Jonny Zero; Hal Rosenbluth, President of Kaufman Astoria Studios; Stuart Match Suna, President of Silvercup Studios; Doug Steiner, Chairman of Steiner Studios; and representatives of SAG and AFTRA. “I can’t tell you how important this bill is to jobs and the economic future of New York City,” Wolf said. “This is the beginning of a new era.”

John Penotti said that as a result of the new tax credit, GreeneStreet Film’s Awake, for which he originally scouted locations in Dublin and London, will shoot in New York City.

Also shooting in New York City as a result of the tax credit is the FOX television show Jonny Zero. “This bill will make an enormous difference,” Executive Producer Llewellyn Wells said. “I’ve wanted to get to New York my entire life … the crews here and the talent both in front of and behind the camera are incomparable.”

Applications for the City tax credit will be available soon on www.nyc.gov/film. If you plan to apply for the City tax credit, contact the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting at 212-489-6710.

Click here for the Mayor's statement

Click here for more information on the “Made in NY” Incentive Program