Governor Meyer Signs Film Tax Credit Creating Opportunities for Delaware Entrepreneurs and Artists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Media Contact:
Jonah Anderson
jonah.anderson@delaware.gov

WILMINGTON, Del. — Governor Matt Meyer today ceremonially signed legislation establishing Delaware’s first entertainment production tax credit and modernizing the state’s Motion Picture and Television Development Commission. Together, the measures create new opportunities for Delaware artists, entrepreneurs and workers while positioning the state to attract private investment from the growing entertainment industry.

Joined by Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, House Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris, representatives from the Division of Small Business and members of Delaware’s film and arts communities at Pine Box Studios in Wilmington, Governor Meyer highlighted House Bill 364 and Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 342 as the foundation for building a sustainable entertainment production industry in Delaware.

“Delaware is home to talented artists, filmmakers, writers and storytellers who deserve the opportunity to build their careers right here at home,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “This incentive will help create the economic infrastructure they need to thrive, attracting investment, supporting local businesses and developing a homegrown creative workforce. Success will not be measured by how many stars come to Delaware, but by how many Delawareans gain the opportunity to tell their stories and build their futures in Delaware.”

“Delaware’s beaches, parks, and historic landmarks make our State a unique destination for filmmakers. Through SB 342 and HB 364, we’re taking the initiative to jumpstart Delaware’s growing potential in the film industry and showcase all that our State has to offer,” said Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman. “Together, these bills coordinate our efforts to make Delaware thrive in the film industry, which will provide a huge economic boost to our State.”

“From agriculture to tourism to finance, Delaware is home to a wide range of thriving industries. With the brand new Delaware Entertainment Production Tax Credit, we can now add film, television, and digital media production to that growing list, and with it, new economic opportunities and revenue streams that benefit our state and its residents,” said Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris. “I was proud to sponsor the legislation that created this tax credit, and I’m excited about the new opportunities it will create for Delawareans, especially our creatives, our young people, and our small businesses.”

House Bill 364 establishes the Delaware Entertainment Production Tax Credit, providing a 30% transferable tax credit for eligible productions that spend more than $100,000 in Delaware. Eligible productions include feature films, television series, commercials, music videos, video games and esports productions. Applications for the program opened Sept. 16. Qualifying productions that began spending in Delaware after the program took effect July 1 may also be eligible.

The program is designed to bring new money into Delaware by encouraging productions to hire Delaware workers and spend with local contractors, hotels, restaurants, equipment companies, transportation providers and other businesses. Productions require workers far beyond those appearing on screen, including electricians, carpenters, set builders, camera and lighting crews, sound technicians, editors, designers, drivers, caterers, accountants, attorneys and other skilled professionals.

By setting the qualifying in-state spending threshold at $100,000, the program is also designed to be accessible to smaller and independent productions. This creates opportunities for Delaware filmmakers, production companies and entrepreneurs to develop projects of their own rather than focusing exclusively on attracting large outside productions.

Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 342 modernizes the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission and strengthens the state’s ability to help productions identify locations, navigate permitting and connect with Delaware crews, vendors and other production resources. Together, the two measures pair a financial incentive for productions with the infrastructure needed to help an entertainment industry take root and grow in Delaware.

Delaware is geographically positioned in an existing entertainment production corridor stretching along Interstate 95 from New York and New Jersey through Philadelphia and south toward Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Virginia. Within Delaware, productions can access cities, historic communities, beaches, farmland, suburbs and commercial locations within roughly 90 minutes.

The state also has a history of hosting major productions. Dead Poets Society filmed extensively in Delaware in 1989, including at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, the Everett Theatre and locations in New Castle and Wilmington. The production reportedly spent approximately $8 million in Delaware during roughly 10 weeks of filming and involved more than 1,000 Delawareans as actors, extras, scouts and crew members.

Delaware has since hosted scenes from productions including Beloved, Failure to Launch and the television series Lioness, as well as commercial and smaller television productions. The new incentive is intended to turn those occasional productions into a more consistent pipeline of projects that generate repeat business and long-term opportunities for Delawareans.

The legislation also creates opportunities to connect Delaware’s education and workforce programs with the entertainment economy. House Bill 364 provides internship opportunities for Delaware residents. The administration’s broader goal is to connect students studying production, digital media, construction, technology, gaming and related fields with internships, apprenticeships and careers in Delaware.

Following the ceremonial signing, Governor Meyer toured Pine Box Studios with owner and President Scott Humphrey and General Manager Brian Market to see the Wilmington facility’s production equipment and infrastructure.

Photos from the event can be found here.

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