ARIZONA FILM INSIDER - AUGUST 2025

ARIZONA PRODUCTION UPDATE

The Arizona Film Coalition attended the 2025 League of Cities and Towns Annual Conference this August. The League is a voluntary membership organization of the municipalities in Arizona. Like AFC, they are state-wide and represent the interests of cities & towns before the legislature.

Their annual conference is very popular and is attended by Mayors, City Council Members, City Managers, city staff, as well as lobbyists and others concerned about local governance in Arizona. The AFC was invited to have a table right outside the Showcase of Arizona Cities and Towns, a conference room filled with booths, one for each Arizona municipality. We just happened to be right in front of the dinner line, really great exposure. Special thanks to Film Tucson for donating and creating custom AFC banners, fliers and table cover. Phoenix Film Commissioner Phil Bradstock, AFC Board Member Rustyn Shearer, and AFC President Randy Murray, took questions for the first part of the evening. Once the Showcase started we took the AFC flyers and worked the room.

Rustyn is very connected in this group and introduced AFC to many power players in local government. We made a lot of friends for the film community. We talked with a number of mayors, council members, city managers, and lobbyists about how we can work together to make Arizona more film friendly. Our message was very well received. At the local level, these community leaders love the film industry and understand how a film creates jobs and generates tax revenue.

Special thanks to Rustyn for coordinating our participation in this event.

INSIDE THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE

All the Governor’s Appointees

During the legislative session, the Arizona Film Coalition provided periodic updates on the Governor’s appointees and tracked how the confirmation process was progressing. While not every nominee made it through, the Legislature and the Executive branch were largely able to come to agreement on the Governor’s selections.

Most of her appointees were ultimately confirmed, though a few remain outstanding. We anticipate those will be resolved when lawmakers return next year.

These appointments matter. The individuals placed in key boards and commissions influence how policy is implemented and can shape Arizona’s broader economic and cultural climate. For the film community, that means keeping an eye not only on legislation but also on the leadership guiding policy behind the scenes.

The Coalition will continue monitoring these appointments and confirmations, ensuring that Arizona’s film industry remains well-positioned to build relationships and advocate effectively with both branches of government.

Arizona Ballot Measures

Just as appointments shape the implementation side of policy, ballot measures represent another critical piece of Arizona’s political landscape, and one that bypasses the Governor entirely. Unlike bills, legislative ballot referrals head directly to the voters, meaning the 2026 election will once again feature significant policy questions on the ballot.

So far, three measures have made it through the Legislature:

Food Tax – House Concurrent Resolution 2021 (Rep. Biasiucci)

This bipartisan measure preserves the authority of cities that already levy a food tax, while limiting new food taxes elsewhere. Jurisdictions without a food tax, or those below a 2% rate, may only implement or increase one (up to the 2% cap) with local voter approval. The measure also places a moratorium on any increases until June 30, 2027.

Mileage Tax Ban – Senate Concurrent Resolution 1004 (Sen. Hoffman)

Passed on party lines, this referral would prohibit any future tax or fee based on vehicle miles driven. Arizona’s Highway User Revenue Fund currently collects an 18-cent per gallon tax on fuel. As more people opt for electric vehicles, transportation infrastructure funding struggles to keep up, prompting discussion about how to best ensure transportation infrastructure funding remains sufficient. Arizona doesn’t currently have a mileage tax, and the resolution would ensure it stays that way. With Arizona’s road funding already under strain as more drivers shift to electric vehicles, critics say such a ban forecloses long-term solutions. Supporters argue it protects personal freedom and shields drivers from new taxes.

Cartels as Terrorist Organizations – House Concurrent Resolution 2055 (Speaker Montenegro)

This measure would designate cartels as terrorist organizations and direct Arizona’s Department of Homeland Security to act against them. Critics caution it could endanger trafficking victims.

These three measures are likely just the beginning. With the entire Legislature facing re-election in 2026, as well as key statewide positions such as Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, next year’s session will almost certainly produce additional referrals, potentially leading to a ballot as lengthy as the one voters faced in 2024.

For the film industry, this underscores the importance of staying engaged on multiple fronts: appointments, legislation, and ballot measures alike. Each avenue represents a unique way state policy is shaped, and together they form the broader political environment in which our industry continues to grow.

INSIDE FILM TUCSON

On Thursday, August 14th, Film Tucson held a swank-yet-casual marketing event in Mexico City aimed squarely at major producers and directors in the Mexican film industry.

The over 130 well-connected attendees at this wildly successful gathering included filmmakers linked to such high-profile Mexican feature projects as Y Tu Mamá También (starring Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal), La Cocina (starring Rooney Mara), and Frida (starring Salma Hayek), to name but a few.

The celebrants enjoyed gourmet tacos and signature drinks while hearing about Tucson's film-friendly community and production-ready border region.

INSIDE PHOENIX FILM OFFICE

The Dog Days of Summer in Phoenix are here - something all sports fans loathe but must endure. Film industry professionals face the same challenge, but we can focus on the bright side of spending more time with our families, cooling off, cleaning/sorting gear, updating location file photos, and planning for the fall rush.

If you think it is a little slow this summer, the good news is this is normal! Since commercials dominate our local film industry, corporations and advertisers are focused on their fall and winter spots this time of year. Greater Phoenix probably isn’t the best backdrop for a catalogue shoot selling the latest fashion in parkas and snowshoes (although we have accommodated a few shoots using fake snow this time of year)!

Looking at the data dating back to 1998, the Phoenix Film Office issues an average of only six (just six!) permits in July. Compared to months like February, March, and April when 14 permits are the norm each month (and usually more complicated projects spanning several days), one can really come to understand the seasonal nature of our local industry.

Fun note: we are currently working on an upcoming Holiday commercial that takes place in winter.

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