Arts & Entertainment

FILM Task Force Recommends Creating Commission, Website, Liaison For Howard Co.

The FILM Task Force has released 5 high priority tasks and an additional 12 recommendations to secure Howard County's spot as a destination.

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Kristin Danley-Greiner, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
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HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Leaders have identified 17 recommendations, five of which are high-priority items, to help establish Howard County as a film-ready destination for film, television and media production.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Wednesday released the Film Industry and Location Marketing (FILM) Task Force’s Final Report. For seven months, the task force met monthly to review, discuss and advance the key deliverables identified in the executive order. The group met with experts, conducted research and engaged in policy deliberations to prepare its final report.

In August, the FILM Task Force approved its Film-Ready Community Action Plan for Howard County, which serves as a comprehensive strategic plan detailing short-, medium- and long-term recommendations for building a sustainable local film economy.

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The 17 recommendations identified the following five as the highest priorities for local policymakers to consider:

  • Hiring a dedicated film liaison within the Howard County Tourism Council. The film liaison should be a central figure to manage film-related communications, inquiries and marketing. Currently, film-related activities are fragmented between departments and agencies within Howard County government and partner agencies. There is no central place or role for film productions to contact the county and navigate permitting, locations, incentives and other processes. The film liaison would address this gap by providing coordinated, streamlined services to support a film-ready county.
  • Establish an appointed Film Commission, composed of relevant community leaders and subject matter experts, to continue to review county policy and advise the county, nonprofits and private organizations on the best practices to make Howard County attractive for film productions.
  • Create a dedicated film website to serve as a central hub of information, marketing and communication, allowing the County to share information and accept inquiries in one place.
  • Publish a database of local film locations to showcase Howard County’s scenic, film-ready sites. For example, Howard County is home to various parks, historic sites and natural resources that would serve as filming sites.
  • Invest in a comprehensive branding and marketing plan to advertise Howard County as a film-ready jurisdiction and a welcoming environment for film productions.

    • The remaining recommendations the Task Force suggest the County pursue are:

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    1. Creating an intake form for prospective film productions;
    2. Reviewing and updating county policies on use of facilities;
    3. Streamlining and creating a guide for the permitting process;
    4. Developing a film guide for private organizations;
    5. Establishing small grants for local and independent film productions;
    6. Supporting and expanding local film festivals;
    7. Participating in state-level advocacy for expanded incentives;
    8. Investing in workforce development and apprenticeship opportunities in the creative economy;
    9. Creating a Howard County film hospitality guide;
    10. Developing creator-focused studio spaces;
    11. Partnering with the Maryland Film Office to participate in a filming location database;
    12. Becoming a member of the Association of Film Commissioners International

    "Over the years, many film projects have featured Howard County in their productions, supporting our local economy. Through this Task Force and its recommendations, we aim to grow our efforts to access this underrepresented sector of our arts economy by positioning Howard County as a film-ready, competitive destination for film, television and media production," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said.

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