The Ann Arbor Film Festival grants approximately $20,000 in awards yearly to the Michigan film-making community (see References 1). It claims to be the first North America film festival for independent and experimental films and was created in 1963. Legendary filmmakers who have participated include Andy Warhol and Yoko Ono. The festival has been supported with grants, including a two-year grant from the Andy Warhol foundation and a grant from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Awards range from $500 to $3000.
Ann Arbor Film Festival
308 1/2 S. State St. Suite 22
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
734-995-5356
aafilmfest.org
These grants are geared towards employing Michigan artists for non-profit arts and cultural events in Oakland County. For example, a non-profit organization may apply for an event that encourages people to appreciate the local film community. Applicants can ask for one grant up to $4000 as long as the amount is no more than half of what the event costs. The program is administered by the Office of Arts, Culture and Film of Oakland County and funded through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
Office of Arts, Culture and Film
2100 Pontiac Lake Rd., Bldg. 41 W.
Waterford, MI 48328-0414
248-858-8706
oakgov.com
Michigan is an advantageous location to shoot films because it offers tax credits that can help high- budget films offset costs. For example, refundable tax credits cover anywhere from 30 percent to 42 percent of the cost of production (see References 4). This can translate into around $420,000 of a $1,000,000 film shoot. Anyone can receive this tax credit if they spend over $50,000 producing a film in Michigan. However, each production company employee cannot make more than two million dollars as a salary from the film shoot.
Michigan Film Office
300 North Washington Square 4th Floor
Lansing, MI 48913
800-477-3456
michiganfilmoffice.org