Gov. Evers Announces Launch of New State Film Office and Tax Credit Program
February 17, 2026
Note: A version of this press release was originally distributed by the Office of Governor Tony Evers.
MADISON (Feb. 17, 2026) — Gov. Tony Evers tonight, during his 2026 State of the State address, announced the highly anticipated launch of Wisconsin’s new film office, Film Wisconsin, and the state’s new film tax credit program, ushering in a new tool to bring creative endeavors to Wisconsin’s doorstep, bolster the state’s travel and tourism economy, and strengthen the film industry in Wisconsin. The state’s new film office and tax credit incentives program were created by the 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed into law by Gov. Evers last year to help attract film and television productions to Wisconsin.
Administered by Film Wisconsin, the new film tax credit makes $5 million available annually to assist the production of feature and short films, scripted and unscripted television shows, documentaries, broadcast advertisements, and production infrastructure in Wisconsin. Prior to the governor’s creation of the new film office, Wisconsin was just one of four states without a dedicated film office.
Relevant excerpts from Gov. Evers’ 2026 State of the State address are available below:
“...And it’s a darn good thing we’ve been fixing the roads, because, under my administration, Wisconsin’s been welcoming more visitors than ever before. Investing in our tourism industry has been an important part of our work over the last seven years—and it’s paid off. Wisconsin’s travel and tourism industry has been setting records for three years running. In 2024, we had a hat-trick year: Wisconsin tourism brought in more money, welcomed more visitors, and generated a record-high $25.8 billion in total economic impact.
“A big driver of our tourism industry’s success is Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation economy. Biking and hiking, camping and canoeing, fishing and hunting, snowmobiling and skiing—you name it!—outdoor recreation is a part of our DNA as Wisconsinites. It’s also become an $11 billion industry that drives and supports local jobs and economies across our state. I proposed creating our state’s first-ever Office of Outdoor Recreation, and we worked together to get it done so that Wisconsin now has a dedicated office to support this critical economic industry. Our bipartisan budget last year also approved my request to create a new film office at the Department of Tourism and a new film tax credit program. I’m excited to announce we’re launching the new program this week, which will help bolster our travel and tourism economies and bring exciting, creative endeavors right to Wisconsin's doorstep. ...”
With the creation of Film Wisconsin and the new tax credit, new productions will result in a two-fold benefit to the state by employing local workers, requiring local lodging, and the purchasing of local goods and services to bolster local and statewide economies, but also through showcasing the state of Wisconsin and all it has to offer on a national and global stage to attract visitors for years to come.
To be eligible for tax credits, productions must spend a minimum of $100,000 for projects 30 minutes or longer and a minimum of $50,000 for projects less than 30 minutes. Projects may receive up to $1 million in tax credits per fiscal year. Eligible production expenses include cast and crew wages, accommodations, costs of set construction and operations, purchase or rental of facilities and equipment, location fees, and other production-related goods and services purchased and consumed within the state. Film Wisconsin will review tax credit applications monthly.
The tax credits are retroactive to eligible expenditures beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Learn more about Film Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Film Production Tax Credit at FilmWisconsin.com.
An online version of the original release is available here.