Rochester/Finger Lakes Film Commission

05/28/2026

A friendly reminder about the next window to apply for the NYS INDEPENDENT FILM PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT PROGRAM

The NYS Governor’s Office of Motion Picture and Television Development would like to remind you that the second window for the 2026 New York State Independent Film Production Tax Credit Program will open on Monday, July 13, 2026, 10 am EDT and close on November 12, 2026, 4 pm EST (pending availability of funds). Principal and ongoing photography must begin within 180 days of initial application submission. Applications are reviewed and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by the time on the DocuSign of the project summary

As you know, the Independent Film Production Tax Credit Program was established in last year’s budget and reflects Governor Hochul’s commitment to the independent film industry as a vital driver of New York’s economy. Unique to this program, projects are able to claim their tax credit in the year the project is completed.

The latest information on the program is available on the New York State Independent Film Production Tax Credit Program webpage, viewable here. There is also a Frequently Asked Questions document for the program, accessible here.

If you have specific tax-incentive-related questions, you can reach out directly to the Film Tax Incentives Department at [email protected] or at (212) 803-2328. Subscribe to the MPTV Newsletter for the latest information.

Sincerely,

The NYS Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development

05/23/2026

Seabreeze Amusement Park is one of the oldest amusement parks in the U.S., featuring a mix of thrill rides, family rides, and a water park, all located on the bluffs overlooking Lake Ontario. Key attractions include the historic "Jack Rabbit" wooden roller coaster, a classic carousel, and a water park with slides and a lazy river.

05/04/2026

Hollywood just made history.

🎬 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences officially updated its rules on May 1, 2026, declaring that only roles "demonstrably performed by humans with their consent" are eligible for acting nominations at the Oscars.

Screenplays must now be "human-authored" to qualify for any writing award.

This is the strongest statement the Academy has ever made against AI in filmmaking.

Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor stated clearly that humans must be at the center of the creative process. The ruling directly addresses the rise of AI performers like Tilly Norwood, a fully AI-generated actor that had sparked major debate across Hollywood.

This decision sends a powerful message to an industry under pressure.

While AI tools may still be used in post-production, the soul of cinema must remain human. Films using AI during production will neither be rewarded nor penalized for it, but awards will measure human creative authorship at their core.

The 99th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 14, 2027.

For millions of artists, writers, and performers worldwide, this ruling feels like a long-awaited breath of fresh air.

Art is human.

And Hollywood just reminded the world of that. ✨

📚 Source: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Official Awards Rules Update, May 1, 2026. oscars.org

05/02/2026

Another stop on the tour this afternoon at Magic Spell Studios - where 2 fellow SoFA alum reconnected

05/02/2026

One of the stops on the infrastructure tour

05/02/2026

Starting the day at one of my favorite places

05/01/2026

May Day, celebrated annually on May 1st as International Workers' Day, honors the labor movement.

04/17/2026

Please watch this tribute to our dear friend Jim Toepper. Forever in our hearts! ♥️

12 likes, 1 comment. "Remembering Jim Toepper (1949–2026): A Rochester Legend & Leading Man"

04/07/2026

We were honored to work with the NEW ENGLAND TOYS production team.

Now that they have wrapped: here are some BTS pics