The Vermont Film Industry – A Brief History
*this page is being updated with a more in depth history.
Early 1900s
The Lumière brothers, inventors of an early autochrome color photography process, had a factory in Burlington, VT in the early 1900s where they produced cinema, photography and x-rays.
1995
The Vermont Film Commission was established in 1995 via legislation to “promote Vermont as a location for commercial film and television production and to facilitate the participation of local individuals in such productions” as an arm under the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing.
1998
Tax Incentives (a dirty phrase?) At one point, Vermont offered a Movie Production Tax Credit, which “allowed nonresidents to take a credit against income they receive for a dramatic performance in a commercial film production during that tax year.” This production tax credit was in effect from 1998 to 2012.
*The second, the Vermont Film Production Incentive, “provided grants to cover certain production expenses incurred on Vermont film productions.” The active dates for this incentive is unknown, but it is currently not being offered.
1995-2005 (about)
The late 90s and early 2000s one might consider a “Golden Age” of sorts for bigger budget filmmaking in Vermont. Films such as Cider House Rules, What Lies Beneath, Me, Myself & Irene and more were filmed in Vermont during this time.
2011
The Vermont Film Commission was re-configured to sit in the Office of Creative Economy.
2021
Vermont Production Collective was established to foster community amongst the film and creative media professionals in the state of Vermont.
June 2022
In June 2022 the Vermont Legislature charged the Film and Media Industry Task Force (overseen by the Vermont Arts Council) with examining effective ways to cultivate a vibrant film and media industry in Vermont and submitting its recommendations to the legislature.
January 15, 2023
Vermont Film and Media Industry Task Force reports back to the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development and to the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
March 2023
H.434 was read for the first time and referred to the committee on Commerce and Economic Development. H.434 was an act relating to creating the Vermont Office of Film and Creative Media.
January 2024
Members of Vermont Production Collective, Executive Director of Vermont Arts Council, Vermont filmmakers give testimony to the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development. Regretfully, no budget passes in the 2024 legislative session.
January 2025
