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Loring is a Los Angeles-based writer, director, and creative producer. His work has been commissioned by a diverse range of clients- from Havas Worldwide to Wisecrack, inc.- and has been screened around the world. Through a background that blends project development with physical production across multiple formats, Loring has developed a uniquely eclectic skillset as a visual storyteller.
At Wrapbook, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding free resources to producers and their crews, but this post is for informational purposes only as of the date above. The content on our website is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for legal, accounting, or tax advice. You should consult with your own legal, accounting, or tax advisors to determine how this general information may apply to your specific circumstances.
Small towns, big cities, a lot of good people, and exactly one Great Lake—the state of Minnesota has all the beauty, diversity, and infrastructure that a professional production could want. At the center of it all, Explore Minnesota Film stands ready to help filmmakers connect the dots and make the most of their time in the Gopher State.
In this post, we’ll take you on an in-depth tour of Explore Minnesota Film, the official—and brand new!—Minnesota film office. From production incentives to crew support, we’ll show you how Explore Minnesota Film provides a direct line to all the advantages the state has to offer.
From indie cult classics to major studio blockbusters, Minnesota has a long history in film and television production. The state has hosted the making of films like Purple Rain, The Mighty Ducks, Grumpy Old Men, Dear White People, and—of course—Fargo, among many others.
Explore Minnesota Film, however, is a brand-new organization.
Established in 2024, Explore Minnesota Film is the first official film office in the state, replacing the long-standing non-profit MN Film & TV in response to the expansion of Minnesota’s production tax credit program. The new film office continues the mission of its non-profit predecessor, now with the cooperation and authority of the state government.
Explore Minnesota Film is dedicated to the growth of the production industry and the economic development of Minnesota. Less than a year after its creation, the new Minnesota film office already offers an impressive and still growing slate of resources and support services for local productions.
As the official Minnesota film office, Explore Minnesota Film nurtures the state’s entire production ecosystem. From shoot essentials to big-picture financial support, the team at Explore Minnesota Film works to ensure that filmmakers can access every resource they could possibly need.
Let’s take a look at four key ways that Explore Minnesota Film can support your next production.
Unlike film offices in New York City or Los Angeles, the Minnesota film office does not issue permits directly. Nonetheless, the folks at Explore Minnesota Film are experts in the various permitting processes you’ll encounter throughout the state. They can help you secure the right permits for virtually any locale in the region, including public roads, parks, lakes, and rivers.
Explore Minnesota Film has even built a handy, online reference guide. Check it out to discover the lowdown on permits at popular locations all over the state.
Location scouting is an art form that rewards hard work, dedication, and—crucially—experience. So why go it alone when you could let the Minnesota film office supercharge your scout with decades of local know-how?
The state of Minnesota holds a dauntingly diverse range of potential film locations. From major cities to small towns, dense forests to sparse fields that stretch beyond the horizon, Minnesota contains more options than any sane person would ever care to catalogue.
Of course, the team at Explore Minnesota Film has done exactly that.
Using the film office’s exhaustive online database, filmmakers can find the perfect canvas for their story in their own time. Combined with direct assistance from the Minnesota film office itself, the database can drastically reduce the stress of your next scout. All you’ll have to do is navigate the changing weather of Minnesota’s four distinct seasons.
But don’t worry. Explore Minnesota Film can help with that, too.
Producers should never underestimate the benefits of hiring local. As part of its mission to foster the production industry within the state, the Minnesota film office is dedicated to connecting productions with the best local crew members available.
With its own online crew directory, Explore Minnesota Film creates a direct link to in-state professionals who can fill any crew position your shoot might require. It also provides an easy way to search for support services, such as local catering companies or accommodations that match your travel budget.
With the help of the Minnesota film office, producers don’t have to stress about their personnel. They can quickly tap into local networks and fill out their crew list with ease.
Production incentives are a critical component of modern film financing. Many states use them as an effective tool to attract out-of-town shoots, and the state of Minnesota is no exception.
Explore Minnesota Film directly administers the state’s most robust incentive program, providing expert guidance and direct access to visiting filmmakers. However, their assistance doesn’t stop there. The Minnesota film office can also connect productions with grants, incentives, and other relevant opportunities in the region.
Let’s take a closer look in the next section.
Explore Minnesota Film connects the dots between filmmakers and financing opportunities. They’re the go-to resource for accurate information on local incentives, exemptions, and other useful tools.
Below, we’ll dig into three incentive categories that the Minnesota film team can help producers evaluate.
The Minnesota Film Production Tax Credit represents a sizable incentive designed to attract new film productions that will employ local crew and promote the state of Minnesota. The program is administered by Explore Minnesota Film, empowering productions to go directly to the source for all the critical information they might need.
Here’s how the Minnesota film office describes the credit:
“An assignable 25% income tax credit is provided to production companies that expend at least $1,000,000 in a consecutive 12-month period for eligible costs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and allocations are made on a first-come, first-served basis until the program’s available funding has been fully allocated.”
The state of Minnesota currently provides an additional $25 million for tax credit allocation each year. However, additional amounts can roll over from one year to the next, accruing over time. As of January 1, 2025, more than $50 million in tax credits remained available for allocation to productions.
For more information, including regulations and process guidelines, visit Explore Minnesota Film.
In addition to the Minnesota Film Production Tax Credit, several localities throughout the state of Minnesota have constructed their own regional incentive programs. By choosing to shoot within specific areas, filmmakers may be able to significantly stretch the purchase power of their production budgets.
Here’s a selection of current regional incentive programs:
The best part of regional incentives is that most of them can be used in conjunction with the statewide Minnesota Film Production Tax Credit, dramatically expanding a savvy production’s potential savings. While Explore Minnesota Film does not administer regional incentives itself, their team can connect you with the right resources and help get your regional applications started as smoothly as possible.
Beyond tax credit and rebate programs, the state of Minnesota also allows for certain tax exemptions that may be applicable to film productions. Under the right conditions, productions may be able to benefit from select sales tax exemptions as well as hotel or lodging tax exemptions.
Such exemptions can result in serious cost reductions for filmmakers in Minnesota. Contact Explore Minnesota Film to find out which exemptions your shoot might be eligible for and how you can optimize purchases to maximize savings.
To get in touch with the Minnesota film office, producers and filmmakers can reach out via phone or email. You can even contact their team with immediate inquiries directly through their website.
For further information, including a mailing address and staff-specific email addresses, visit Explore Minnesota Film.
Explore Minnesota Film isn’t alone in its support of filmmaking culture and community within the state of Minnesota. They’re joined by a host of regional film offices and professional organizations that each lend a helping hand in their own unique ways.
Below, we’ll cover just a few organizations that local and visiting filmmakers alike should keep in mind.
The Upper Midwest Film Office specializes in production support for filmmakers shooting in the Northland, a region that includes Duluth, the North Short, and the Iron Range. Styling itself as “your connector and personal concierge to the local community”, UMFO offers hyper-localized support services like location scouting, crew sourcing, and even assistance with regional production incentives.
FilmNorth is a crucial resource for the indie crowd. Their mission is to “empower artists to tell their stories, launch and sustain successful careers, and advance The North as a leader in the national network of independent filmmakers.” They nurture the independent community through education, networking, promotion, resources, and other forms of support.
Minnesota has no shortage of local film organizations that might prove valuable for the right filmmaker. The MSP Film Society and Twin Cities Film Festival offer unique exhibition opportunities. In-state chapters of the AICP and Women in Film create a local entrance to national professional networks. Organizations like the Asian Pacific Islander (APIA) Minnesotan Film Collective and the Catalyst Story Institute Provide programs and resources for building careers in production.
Discover these groups and more at Explore Minnesota Film’s directory of local film organizations.
Explore Minnesota Film is an invaluable partner to the professional filmmaking community in Minnesota and beyond. With expert support, personal insight, and competitive financial incentives, the Minnesota film office is making a strong case for production in the northern Midwest.
For further information, check out our in-depth exploration of Minnesota tax credits or visit Wrapbook’s Production Incentive Center. Our free Production Incentives Finder and Incentive Comparison Tool can help you identify the perfect place for your next shoot.
