Pennsylvania is once again looking to raise its profile as a serious player in the national production race. State Representative Joe Ciresi has reintroduced legislation—House Bill 1317—that proposes increasing the state’s Film Production Tax Credit from $100 million to $125 million annually. The move, he says, is necessary to keep Pennsylvania competitive with states offering more aggressive incentives.

“The film and TV industries have been huge economic engines for Pennsylvania,” said Ciresi. “Not only do they directly employ tens of thousands of workers and support countless local businesses, but the movies and TV shows filmed here market our state’s cities, small towns and countryside to millions of people across the globe, becoming key drivers for tourism, generating significant revenue and creating long-term jobs for many years after a film’s release.”

Since launching in 2007, Pennsylvania’s Film Production Tax Credit has supported 592 projects, resulting in over $4 billion in direct in-state production spend, according to the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development. From boxing epics like Creed (Philadelphia, Delaware County) to thrillers like Unstoppable (shot across six counties), the tax credit has drawn a wide range of major productions to the state.

But as other jurisdictions raise their incentive caps—and studios chase maximum value—Pennsylvania’s $100 million ceiling is starting to look restrictive.

“We’re losing out due to a lack of funding film productions to other states and all the benefits that would have gone with them—even projects set in Pennsylvania!” said Ciresi. “We could easily bring those productions back to Pennsylvania by expanding the limit for the Film Production Tax Credit from $100 million to $125 million.”

The legislation aims to respond to the current production climate, where capped-out funds often push producers to neighboring states with more flexible programs. Ciresi emphasized that this modest $25 million increase would generate a multiplier effect—fueling job creation, increasing in-state spending, and driving long-term tourism through global screen exposure.

Previously introduced during the 2021–2022 legislative session, the bill underscores a growing urgency among lawmakers to reclaim Pennsylvania’s status as a go-to production destination.

As states like New Jersey and Georgia rapidly scale both studio infrastructure and tax credit programs, Pennsylvania is betting that a relatively small investment could bring substantial returns—on set and off.