ARIZONA FILM INSIDER - JULY 2025

INSIDE THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE

Goldwater Lawsuit Update

There’s not much new to report directly on the Goldwater Institute’s ongoing lawsuit surrounding Arizona’s film tax incentive program. As expected, the case remains in active litigation, and both sides have kept a relatively low profile while the legal process unfolds through various motions and responses back and forth.

That said, a noteworthy development did occur recently: Senate President Warren Petersen filed an amicus brief in support of Goldwater’s case. While the brief itself doesn’t introduce any new legal arguments or alter the posture of the case, it’s politically notable given Petersen’s current bid for Arizona Attorney General.

Interestingly, the announcement of filing the brief has attracted minimal engagement on social media, drawing little public attention. Still, it’s worth keeping an eye on how this involvement may shape the political conversation, particularly as the 2026 election cycle gains steam.

As always, the Arizona Film Coalition will continue monitoring this closely and will provide meaningful updates as the case progresses.

Summertime at the Legislature Update

Now that the Arizona Legislature has officially adjourned sine die, you may be wondering: what exactly do our elected officials get up to between now and January 2026, when the next legislative session kicks off?

The short answer? Quite a bit, depending on the member.

While the intensity of the session subsides, legislative activity doesn't stop entirely. This interim period is a key time for community engagement. With all 90 Arizona lawmakers up for re-election every two years, the summer and fall months become critical opportunities for them to stay connected with constituents and remind the public of the work they’ve done, and the work still ahead.

It’s also the season of stakeholder meetings. Some are aimed at resolving issues left hanging from the recent session, while others are early planning conversations for legislation to be introduced next year. These meetings are where industries, associations, and even individuals, can weigh in on potential bill language, raise concerns, and help shape policy before the legislative “hopper” opens in November.

Finally, many lawmakers return to their “day jobs.” With an annual salary of just $24,000 (plus per diem), Arizona legislators are also teachers, realtors, small business owners, ranchers, attorneys, and more. The interim is often when they reconnect with their professional lives, even as they continue their public service behind the scenes.

INSIDE FILM TUCSON

Back in January 2025, our office flew Ed Lippman out to Tucson so he could promote our region to any and all projects which might hire him in the future. As a thank you gift, he sent us an artfully-designed hardcover photographic diary of every spot we drove him to see. It's thrilling to see how much our local spots inspire the many filmmakers who visit. We look forward to bringing out a new batch of location scouts later this year.

Tucson is heavily featured in the Summer 2025 edition of Boundless, the quarterly magazine created by GMC to promote its luxury vehicles. The entire shoot was brought to us via A Scout Arizona, a Mesa-based location company, and featured a wide variety of looks including various downtown streets, Tucson Mountain Park, and a sleek minimalist mansion in the foothills

INSIDE PHOENIX FILM OFFICE

The Phoenix Film Office has published its Fiscal Year 2024/25 Economic Impact Report.

Data is collected from surveying productions that engaged with our office then, in December and June of each year, we reach out to all the local production companies and production managers. These bi-annual surveys allow us to capture information on projects filmed throughout the approximately 25 that comprise Greater Phoenix

The numbers reveal that commercials continue to be the industry's primary economic driver, accounting for 63% of total local budget expenditures this fiscal year. This underscores the region's strength as a premier destination for commercial production.

We do not use multipliers with our reports, just the numbers as reported.

Did you know? Phoenix proper covers an area roughly half the size of Delaware, while Greater Phoenix spans a territory larger than the entire state of Maryland—providing filmmakers with an expansive canvas of diverse locations.

INSIDE THE AZ COMMERCE AUTHORITY

From the Director’s Chair

The State Film Office and the ACA is continuing to work hard to bring films, television and commercial projects to Arizona despite pending the Goldwater suit. However, given the ongoing litigation over the Motion Picture Production Program and the tax credit, the ACA is being circumspect in commenting on the program and activities under it, much of which is identified as confidential by statute. Thus, at this time, the Film Office of the ACA is not able to comment or share information regarding the lawsuit. The office will continue to disclose information about the program as required by law.

INSIDE INDUSTRY TIDBITS

Filmed in Arizona movie Star People premiered this month and is playing in Harkins Theatres around Arizona.