Film St. Bernard Incentive Program

Receive a 3.5% Rebate on qualifying local expenses.

The Film St. Bernard Incentive Program was developed to encourage filming in our parish by offering rebates for lodging, staffing and other production spending in St. Bernard Parish.

Here’s How it Works

The Application Process

1. Application & Preliminary Questionnaire

Submit an initial application for pre-approval, including a completed Preliminary Questionnaire. Preliminary Questionnaire ↗

2. Review & Pre-Approval

The Film Incentive Review Panel reviews the application and notifies of pre-approval acceptance, if applicable.

3. St. Bernard Film Incentive Request

When all production efforts in St. Bernard Parish are complete, submit a Film Incentive Application. St. Bernard Film Incentive Request Form ↗ Declaration of Residency ↗

4. Audit & Rebate Disbursement

Pending an audit by a Louisiana-licensed certified public accounting, you will be reimbursed for 3.5% of all qualifying expenses, up to a maximum of $200,000. Pre- and Post-Audit Checklist ↗

Examples of Qualifying Acceptable Expenditures

LODGING: You are eligible for rebates on all lodging expenses for cast and crew incurred in St. Bernard Parish establishments which pay sales, hotel/motel, occupational license, or ad valorem taxes in St. Bernard Parish.

PAYROLL: You are eligible for rebates on payroll expenses of cast and crew who are or were residents of St. Bernard Parish during the production or were residents of St. Bernard Parish for at least six months prior to the start of filming of the production or project.

LEASE OR RENTAL: You are eligible for rebates on all lease or rental expenses for a sound stage or location/production offices in St. Bernard Parish which pays occupational license or ad valorem tax in St. Bernard Parish, or holds an exemption from payment of such taxes.

PRODUCTION: You are eligible for rebates on all production expenses incurred at an establishment located in St. Bernard Parish which pays occupational license or sales tax in St. Bernard Parish.

Fill Out Your Forms Online

Frequently
Asked
Questions

  • An applicant for the St. Bernard Parish film incentive rebate shall submit an initial application for pre-approval to:

    St. Bernard Parish Government
    Attn: Film Incentive Review Panel
    8201 W. Judge Perez Drive
    Chalmette, LA 70043

    The application shall include a detailed preliminary budget, multi-market detailed distribution plan, applicable lease or rental agreement, and a script synopsis (including principal creative elements), and application fee. All application fees collected shall be appropriated to 1002010-589008 (Film Incentive Program).

  • Yes, you can become a St. Bernard Parish-approved production or project for our Film St. Bernard Incentives Program by filling out the St. Bernard Parish Film Incentive Preliminary Questionnaire and submitting it to the St. Bernard Parish Film Office. Your request must include:

    • Working title of the production;

    • Name of the requesting production company;

    • Name, telephone number, e-mail address and attesting signature of the requesting production company’s contact person;

    • Approximate beginning and ending date of production in St. Bernard Parish;

    • Address of sound stage or production facility located within St. Bernard Parish, if applicable;

    • Estimate of the total projected production-related costs, the projected expenditures in St. Bernard Parish, and the projected St. Bernard Parish payroll;

    • Listing of principal creative elements such as principle cast, producer, director, and music supervisor.

  • The incentive funds that the Parish of St. Bernard is providing is capped at $200,000.00 to a qualified project or production.

  • A five-person panel Film Incentive Review Panel, including:

    • two certified public accountants,

    • our Economic Development Director,

    • our Film Director, and

    • the Council Chairperson or his designee

    will review all applications for our parish film rebate.

    The film must have a viable multi-market commercial distribution plan, and the production office must be in St. Bernard Parish or the production must emanate from a soundstage facility in St. Bernard.

  • We will not rebate funds for expenditures outside of St. Bernard Parish including marketing, distribution, reimbursable funds or construction costs.

    We will not rebate funds for production expenditures unless the expenditures were incurred in St. Bernard Parish and directly used in a pre-approved production.

    We will not rebate funds for post-production expenditures for marketing and distribution.

    We will not rebate funds that are reimbursable.

    We will not rebate funds for payments remitted to individuals as profit-sharing or promotion of a film.

    We will not rebate funds for set construction.

    We will not rebate funds for post-production.

    We will not rebate funds for flow-through costs for services not performed in St. Bernard Parish.

  • It is important to know that the program is administered on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment of rebates are also made on a first-come, first-served basis. When all production efforts in St. Bernard Parish are completed, you may apply for your rebate. Payment is subject to completion of production and to the final approval and audit requirements.

  • The audit is performed by a Louisiana licensed certified public accountant who is not related to the production company but is retained by the production company to comply with the rules and regulations of the program. The auditor should perform duties in accordance with all auditing standards that are accepted as best practices in the United States. The auditor should also have sufficient knowledge of accounting principles and practices generally recognized in the motion picture industry.

Need some help?

Please contact Katie Tommaseo, at ktommaseo@sbpg.net, 504-278-4242 or 504-583-0096, regarding locations, tax credits or other assistance in bringing your film project to our area.