Press Release: Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address, Celebrates Launch of New State Film Office and Film Tax Credit Program

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 03/12/2026 09:00 AM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2026
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address, Celebrates Launch of New State Film Office and Film Tax Credit Program 
 
Audio File of Radio Address.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address, celebrating 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. Created by the 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed into law by Gov. Evers last year, the governor announced the launch of Film Wisconsin during his 2026 State of the State address last month. 

A part of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Film Wisconsin administers $5 million in film tax credits 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 a handful of states without a dedicated film office.

With the creation of Film Wisconsin and the new tax credit, new productions will result in a two-fold benefit to the state by providing immediate returns like employing local workers, booking local lodging, and the purchasing of local goods and services to bolster local and statewide economies, while 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.

Learn more about Film Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Film Production Tax Credit at FilmWisconsin.com.

Hey there, folks. Governor Tony Evers here.

Tourism is a powerhouse of economic development and prosperity in our state, and today, Wisconsin’s 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. We’ve seen record-breaking years for three years in a row, and today, travel and tourism is an over $25 billion industry in our state.

I’ve been proud to help support this critical industry over the last several years by making smart, strategic investments in its continued growth.

And we are thrilled to continue building on that work with our brand-new film office at the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and our new film tax credit program.

Before, Wisconsin was just one of a handful of states without a dedicated film office. Now, our new film office will work to bring exciting endeavors right here to Wisconsin.

TV shows, documentaries, short films—you name it—all of which are going to not only bring jobs and economic impact to our communities but showcase all our state has to offer on the big screen.

We’ve seen just how much film productions can benefit our state in recent years, from filming Bravo’s Top Chef to a new Christmas movie in Door County to even hosting a big production like the NFL Draft.

And I’m excited to see more creative projects like this come to Wisconsin to help promote our local communities and economies and inspire folks to visit and see what Wisconsin is all about.

Thank you, and take care, folks.  
 
An online version of this release is available here.
###