Washington State’s Small Budget Production Initiative

By Levi Smock, Head of Production



In my last blog, I wrote about how important a production plan is when it comes to getting clarity on your film or project and having conversations with investors. When building a production plan one of the most important resources can often be the support of the location that you are filming in. State production incentives, tax rebates, and tax credits should always be considered when putting the financial picture of a project together. Depending on the scope of the project, there can be a high barrier to entry for independent filmmakers.

Today, I want to highlight one of the ways Washington state is combating those challenges with a really unique program designed to support their homegrown filmmakers: The Small Budget Production Initiative (SBPI), a program that began with the passage of ESHB 1914 in 2022. They’ve just finished their 4th funding cycle which means it’s likely you haven’t heard of it yet and that could mean you are missing out.

“State production incentives, tax rebates, and tax credits
should always be considered
when putting the financial picture of a project together. ”

What is it? Who is it for?

The SBPI is designed to support emerging Washington filmmakers and fund productions with budgets between $20,000 and $1,000,000. 

What I find incredibly interesting about this is that it’s not targeting huge Hollywood films and TV. It really is aimed at helping small-scale productions get off the ground. That’s a fundamental difference in purpose from most production-incentive programs, where the focus is to bring in as much economic value as possible to the state. Here the focus is on telling local stories, showcasing Washington state, and creating an environment where the residents are able to see their project to fruition. 

Another feature of the program that stands out is the types of projects that are eligible. The list includes, but isn’t limited to, feature films, episodics, commercials, documentaries, animation, and XR projects. I find the inclusion of small-budget commercials here to be an important aspect. This means that as a client-based filmmaker, it gives me the opportunity to increase the value of my services by unloading some of the financing burden. 

Early Stage Funding

Something else that makes this program distinctive is that it provides early-stage funding for projects. This is pretty rare in state-run production incentives. To be eligible for most of these programs, full funding is typically required. That can be a huge hurdle for independent filmmakers.

The SBPI offers conditional funding for projects that don’t yet have funding. This means that if your project meets the criteria you can receive a letter of intent giving you six months to secure the rest of the funding. Not only does this give your project a financial boost, but it also signals optimism and momentum to potential funders.

It is important to note that while fully-funded projects can apply for the initiative at any time, projects that are still seeking funding must apply during rolling application windows. The next window is likely to open in late spring/early summer.

 

A Quick Breakdown

  • The SBPI offers funding assistance for up to 30% of qualified in-state expenditures.

  • There are enhanced incentives of up to 10% for filming in rural counties, telling the story of historically underrepresented communities, or for hitting certain spending thresholds (type of project dependant).

  • The applicant must be the producer or the director, and must be a Washington resident.

  • At least two of the following roles must be filled by Washington residents: Producer, Director, Screenwriter, Lead Actor.

  • At minimum, 85% of filming must take place in Washington state.

  • The application must be submitted prior to the commencement of filming.

  • The review process for application turnaround is 30 days to provide a funding decision. 


Applying for a production incentive is an intensive process. There are a lot of moving pieces and it’s important to fully understand the process and guidelines. If you want to learn more about the SBPI, check it out on the Washington Filmworks Website. Or contact Motivo; we love helping get projects off the ground. 

About Motivo Media

Motivo Media is a Seattle-based video production and marketing agency specializing in storytelling for non-profits and growing businesses. With expertise in digital marketing and audience engagement, we create compelling content that connect with audiences and amplifies your mission.

Get in touch by emailing us at hello@motivo.me.

Levi Smock