Film Friendly Michigan Executive Summary

With the recent passing of Michigan’s film tax incentives, there has been interest from all sectors of the creative and business communities on how to take advantage of this new economic opportunity. We believe there is a need to educate and inform communities throughout the State of Michigan about how to attract and effectively work with commercial and feature film companies

Our course serves municipalities, economic development agencies (including convention bureaus and chambers of commerce) and individual businesses with the information that will allow them to maximize opportunities “When Hollywood Comes to Town.”

Our Mission

To educate and inform communities and organizations about how to work with production companies with a focus on how to foster viable business opportunities.

Our Vision

Following presentations from Film Friendly Michigan, LLC, communities will be seen as informed and prepared to attract and manage successful partnerships with film and production companies.

Our History

Film Friendly Michigan LLC was organized in the summer of 2008, shortly after the Michigan legislature passed nearly unanimously the best film and commercial production incentive package in the nation.

Deb Havens and Mark Adler rapidly diagnosed the need for a statewide communication program for communities and businesses to answer questions about the new incentives and how to take advantage of them. They also realized that producers coming into the state would encounter residents, businesses and municipalities who had never before worked with filmmakers or commercial production crews.

The Film Friendly Michigan co-founders are committed to supporting the foundation and development of a long lasting film industry in this state. We created an education program for communities and businesses in Michigan that facilitates the smooth operation of the film incentives by explaining the needs and expectations of the film and commercial industry.