Council certifies 'Project Galaxy' as eligible for OKC film incentive; office recommends maximum local rebate

The Oklahoma City Council and the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust certified "Project Galaxy," an independent feature film project, as eligible for the city's film incentive program, following a staff presentation from the city film office.

Jill Simpson of the Oklahoma City Film Office described the project as a feature-length adaptation (code-named Project Galaxy) with filming scheduled in August and September. Simpson said the producers expect about $9 million in Oklahoma City expenditures, plan to use local vendors and crew for the large majority of work, and intend to base production offices within the city. The project office recommended offering the film the full local rebate under the city program because the production meets multiple "uptick" criteria in the city's incentive policy (local crew, vendor spend, and high percentage of shooting days within the city), Simpson said.

Simpson presented the film office’s economic model results and said the projected $9 million local spend would generate additional local economic activity, supporting local jobs and labor income. She also described the program’s limits on above-the-line compensation and explained staff reduced the theoretical maximum rebate by $20,000 to reflect the program’s cap on above-the-line salaries.

The certification was considered on the consent docket and adopted as part of the council's consent actions. The film office will proceed with the Economic Development Trust's paperwork and follow the city’s standard process to finalize the incentive award and any rebate payment schedule, including verification of qualifying local expenditures prior to disbursement.