TENNESSEE ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION

The Tennessee Entertainment Commission (TEC) is the state's primary resource for film, television and entertainment productions working in Tennessee.

TEC operates within the Tennessee Department of Economic + Community Development and supports productions with information on incentives, production resources, locations, workforce and state agencies.

WHEN SHOULD A PRODUCTION CONTACT TEC?

The Tennessee Entertainment Commission is a useful starting point if you're:

  • Considering filming in Tennessee

  • Researching Tennessee production incentives

  • Looking for Tennessee crew + vendors

  • Filming on state-owned property

  • Trying to determine which state agency controls a location

  • Planning a production that involves multiple state agencies

  • Looking for statewide production information

TENNESSEE ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION

TENNESSEE PRODUCTION INCENTIVES

TEC administers Tennessee's entertainment production incentive programs.

Tennessee currently offers a grant incentive that can provide qualifying productions with up to 25% of qualified Tennessee expenditures, subject to eligibility, approval and available funding. The state's current information says projects with budgets over $200,000 may be eligible.

Tennessee also offers certain qualified productions a sales + use tax exemption and a franchise + excise tax credit for qualified payroll expenses. Productions must first apply through TEC to be determined eligible before pursuing these benefits through the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

TENNESSEE FILM INCENTIVES

TENNESSEE QUALIFIED PRODUCTION TAX INFORMATION

PRODUCTION RESOURCES

TEC can also be useful when researching Tennessee's production infrastructure.

Resources available through the state can help productions connect with:

  • Local crew

  • Production companies

  • Equipment vendors

  • Production services

  • Locations

  • Studios

  • Post-production

  • Other entertainment industry resources

This can be particularly useful for out-of-state productions coming into Nashville or other parts of Tennessee.

FILMING ON STATE PROPERTY

If you're interested in filming on Tennessee state-owned property, TEC is a good place to start.

The specific agency that manages the property may ultimately need to approve the production, and additional permits, insurance or agreements may be required.

Depending on the location, this could involve agencies responsible for:

  • State buildings

  • State parks

  • Historic properties

  • Roads + highways

  • State-owned land

  • Other government facilities

TEC VS. METRO NASHVILLE

The Tennessee Entertainment Commission is a state agency.

It does not replace permits or approvals required by Metro Nashville.

For example, a production filming on a Metro Nashville street or other Metro property should also review requirements through the Metro Nashville Office of Film + Special Events.

METRO NASHVILLE FILM + SPECIAL EVENTS

CONTACT THE TENNESSEE ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION

Tennessee Entertainment Commission

312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Nashville, TN 37243

Phone: 615-741-3456

Email: tn.entertainment@tn.gov

TENNESSEE ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION

USEFUL TENNESSEE PRODUCTION RESOURCES

Tennessee Entertainment Commission

Tennessee Film Incentives

Tennessee Qualified Production Tax Credits + Exemptions

Metro Nashville Film + Special Events

Programs, incentives and production requirements can change. Always confirm current information directly with the Tennessee Entertainment Commission before budgeting or planning a production.