Sen. Tim Scott co-sponsors bipartisan bill to boost U.S. film industry, highlighting South Carolina’s economic impact

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced bipartisan legislation Thursday aimed at revitalizing domestic film and television production and bringing entertainment industry jobs back to the United States—a move with significant implications for South Carolina’s growing screen economy.

The Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act would establish a 20% federal base tax credit for qualifying film, television, and visual effects (VFX) projects produced in the United States. It also features optional stacked 5% bonus credits—capping at a maximum of 30%—for productions set in rural Opportunity Zones, multi-state projects, independent productions, or companies that shift investments back onto American soil.

Scott introduced the bill alongside Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), following calls for a federal incentive to counter international tax subsidies that have lured American film productions abroad to countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom.

“Having worked in a movie theater growing up, I saw early on how films can move and inspire generations of Americans,” Scott said. “Films like ‘The Notebook’ bring us to tears, and films like ‘Forrest Gump‘ inspire us to see the world differently. That is the power of film, and South Carolina is blessed to serve as the backdrop for both of these iconic American stories.”

Scott emphasized the threat of runaway production on local economies, noting that foreign incentives actively drain American capital and employment opportunities.

“We cannot stand by as more and more American film production moves overseas, taking jobs, investment, and an important source of American cultural influence with it,” Scott added. “This legislation will create jobs in communities across America, support local economies, and help ensure that the next generation of iconic American films is made right here in America.”

In South Carolina, the film and entertainment sector serves as a key economic driver. The state’s film industry directly employs approximately 1,700 workers in legacy production and supports more than 7,000 workers across the broader sector, including visual effects and post-production talent. To date, the industry has delivered more than $416 million in wages and generated over $3.2 billion in total economic impact across the Palmetto State.

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas-01) with bipartisan co-sponsors, including Reps. Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), Brian Jack (R-Ga.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Mike Carey (R-Ohio), and Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.).

The proposed legislation excludes live sports, adult content, marketing materials, daytime dramas, award shows, and social media posts, focusing federal support on narrative film, television, and visual effects productions.

The bill has drawn endorsements from across the entertainment sector, including major labor organizations and industry leadership such as the Motion Picture Association, SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild of America, the Teamsters, the Producers Guild of America, and Paramount.