There is a $500,000 minimum in-state spend for motion pictures, a $300,000 per episode minimum spend for series, and a $150,000 minimum spend for commercials.

To qualify for the 15% below-the-line non-resident rebate, the production must have a labor force of at least 85% of Washington State residents and each BTL non-resident must earn $50,000 or less. Additional criteria may also apply.

Projects that are follow-up seasons to a television series or a project that reflects stories of marginalized communities will have priority with funding.

Principal photography must commence no later than 120 days (45 days for commercials) after receiving the Funding Letter of Intent.

A Declaration of Residency must be completed by each Washington State resident.

Episodic Series Bonus: episodic series with a minimum of six episodes produced in Washington State may qualify for a max rebate of 35%.

Prior to receiving funding assistance, productions must file a completed Production Survey with the Department of Commerce.

Prior to principal photography, motion picture and episodic series applicants must submit a completed Funding Assistance Application Form to Washington Filmworks. Applications must include a shooting script, budget, finance plan, proof of funding, and producer's letter of intent. Applicants must sign and return the Washington Filmworks production agreement within two weeks of the date of the Funding Letter of Intent.

Guidelines and the Industry Code of Conduct must be distributed to department heads prior to the start of production. Producers and Washington Filmworks must meet to discuss policies and procedures and the completion package process prior to the start of production.

Commercial applicants must submit a Commercial Funding Assistance Application that includes storyboard, budget, advertising agency award letter and producer's letter of intent. 

Funding assistance will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors of WF on a case-by-case basis.

The max credit a commercial can receive is 15%, while for all other projects, the max credit is 45%.

Project must comply with the health and retirement benefits requirement. 

Additional factors will be given consideration by the program in its review of applications, including the extent to which: projects are financed by Washington based corporations, companies and/or individuals; projects include Washington residents as actors in one or more “starring” or major role; projects are derived by a book, a life story, a screenplay or other creative work based on or inspired by a source of content that is unique to Washington State; projects feature locations in Washington State as the principal scripted location.

Funding is allocated every January. 

20% of funding is allocated to projects filmed in rural communities, and 20% of funding is allocated to projects telling stories of marginalized communities. $3,000,000 of funding is set aside for small motion picture productions that are creatively driven by WA residents.