The Motion Picture Opportunity Fund is a grant program and the Virginia Motion Picture Tax Credit Program is a refundable tax credit program. Both programs use the same criteria for eligibility and the same application form.

Feature length films, documentaries, long-form specials, television mini-series, episodic television series, commercial advertisements, videos and music videos and interactive television designed to fit a thirty minute or longer time slot.

Digital interactive media (video game) production is eligible to receive tax credits.

Funding in Virginia begins at 15 percent of all qualifying expenses, including wages. If the production is shot in an economically distressed area of the state, the base amount increases to 20 percent. An additional 10-20 percent of payroll expenses of workers from Virginia is also available and each first-time film industry employee is eligible for an additional credit of 10 percent.

Absolutely. Virginia is proud of its exceptional crew, actors and young film professionals. Virginia workers of all kinds qualify for additional funding.

Incentive applications must be received and approved before the start of principal photography.

The application can be found on this website. Complete it and either send or deliver it to the Virginia Film Office along with a copy of the script, production budget and proposed production schedule.

The Virginia Film Office will respond within 30 business days.

While there are no guarantees that your proposal will receive funding, you will greatly increase your chances of success by carefully reading and understanding the information in the Virginia Incentive brochure. Virginia Film Office staff members Andrew Edmunds or Dawn Blacksten are available to answer questions and to help ensure that your proposal meets all necessary requirements. Call 800.854.6233 or email Andy Edmunds or Dawn Blacksten.

In the case of the Motion Picture Opportunity Fund, a check may be issued within approximately 30 days after all documentation has been received and verified. In the case of tax credits, the check is issued approximately 60 days after a Virginia state tax form has been submitted.