Trust approves $880,000 film incentive for Project Galaxy, hears film office update

The Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust voted to approve a joint resolution allocating $880,000 in film incentives tied to a state rebate for a motion picture identified as "Project Galaxy," trust members said at the meeting.

Jill Simpson, Film and Creative Industries office representative, told trustees the project is an adaptation of a New York Times best-selling novel by Karen Kingsbury and chronicles the lives of two children orphaned by the Oklahoma City bombing. Simpson said filming is scheduled for about 31 shooting days, now moved to Aug. 11 through mid-September, with some activity planned during the 30th-anniversary weekend.

The trust's approval matters because Simpson said the production plans to spend an estimated $9,000,000 in Oklahoma City and hire roughly 90% of its crew and vendors locally. "They're going to hire 90% of the crew locally," Simpson said, and she recommended awarding the full 10% rebate the city offers on qualifying expenditures.

Simpson provided economic-impact estimates from the Chamber's model: a total economic impact of about $21,500,000 from the $9,000,000 local spend; 539 direct and indirect jobs supported; labor income of about $7,700,000; taxable expenditures estimated at $1,782,000; and qualifying labor income split into below-the-line (crew) and above-the-line (principal cast/production) components, which she said the trust adjusted to reduce the rebate on above-the-line pay.

At the same meeting trustees also approved an economic development agreement with Safe House Films, LLC, authorizing an incentive not to exceed $64,813 and confirming that roughly 80% of the film's shooting days are scheduled to occur in Oklahoma City. Staff said the Safe House Films item stemmed from a prior May 2024 allocation.

The trust approved Amendment No. 1 to a professional services agreement with the Oklahoma City Economic Development Foundation covering the Film and Creative Industries office. Staff described the amendment as a no-cost extension that moves the deadline for using existing funds from June 30 to Dec. 31 with no change in scope or additional payment.

Simpson also presented the office's semiannual report. She said the office is coordinating a statewide coalition called Futures Film in Oklahoma to support the state rebate and reported activity for the period: six projects in development, 16 projects receiving a city rebate, five rebate applications (three prequalified), and 53 new industry recruitment contacts. Simpson noted Twisters, a prior rebate recipient, earned $372 million at the global box office and cited new local infrastructure such as Apex Studio's Dolby Atmos mixing room.

Simpson signaled budget uncertainty beyond December and said the office is pursuing fundraising and possible administrative fees taken from future rebate allocations to support ongoing operations. "If we get new rebate funding, there would be an administrative fee recouped to go toward the office budget," she said.

Votes at a glance: the trust passed the economic development agreement with Safe House Films, LLC; passed Amendment No. 1 to the professional services agreement for the Film and Creative Industries office; approved the joint resolution allocating $880,000 for Project Galaxy; and received the office's semiannual report. The motions were moved and seconded and each item passed on voice vote, with no roll-call tallies provided in the meeting record.

Looking ahead, Simpson and staff said they will continue recruitment and site visits, pursue state rebate funding at the Capitol, and seek local funding options to sustain the film office past December.