Originally posted on the News 13 website
They’re rolling out the red carpet Friday for the kick off to the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival. The highlight will be a movie, partially made in Brevard County, making its Space Coast premiere. Close to one hundred extras from the Space Coast will get to see themselves on the big screen in “The Martial Arts Kid.”
Producers of the independent film say they would have shot more of the movie in Brevard County, but a lack of incentives from the state led them to film the rest in Los Angeles.
“I think the biggest challenge is the tax incentive,” said Terry Cronin with the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival. “We lost a lot of state tax incentives and so a lot of production has moved to Georgia, Louisiana, we want an environment here in Florida that really is conducive to making films.”
The Space Coast Film Commission says making movies in Brevard County creates jobs and helps the economy.
“The profile of our community is on display and if you see a movie that makes Brevard County look great, like the Martial Arts Kid, you might want to visit Brevard County and that means tourist dollars,” said Cronin.
The movie festival kicks off Friday and continues through Saturday at the Premiere Theaters Oaks Stadium 10 in Melbourne.
For more events at the film festival: http://www.melbournefilmfest.com
Click HERE to read the article on the News 13 website.