Mission and Purpose

The Honolulu Film Office’s mission is to promote Honolulu and Oahu as premier filming destinations by offering filmmakers access to diverse and visually stunning locations. The office provides extensive support through location scouting, permitting, and connections to local talent and resources, ensuring a smooth and efficient production process. The office aims to attract both national and international productions, contributing to the growth of Hawaii’s entertainment industry and local economy.

Programs

The Honolulu Film Office offers several key programs and services for filmmakers:

• Hawaii Motion Picture, Digital Media & Film Production Income Tax Credit: Productions in Honolulu can qualify for a 20% tax credit on Oahu (and up to 25-30% on neighbor islands) for qualified production expenditures.
• Location Scouting Assistance: The Film Office helps filmmakers explore Oahu’s wide variety of settings, from iconic Waikiki Beach to the lush mountains of the Ko’olau Range and downtown Honolulu’s urban areas.
• Permitting and Logistical Support: The office assists with streamlining the permitting process for access to public and private filming locations across Oahu, making it easy to film in Hawaii’s most famous destinations.
• Crew and Vendor Directory: The Honolulu Film Office connects filmmakers with local production professionals, vendors, and service providers to ensure smooth and successful productions.

Similar Programs

Similar programs to the Honolulu Film Office include the Maui Film Office, the Kauai Film Commission, and the Hawaii Island Film Office. These programs offer financial incentives, local production support, and access to stunning island landscapes across Hawaii.

Navigating VBN for Expanded Lists

The Vitrina Business Network (VBN) offers a comprehensive database of active film commissions, government bodies, and incentive programs worldwide. By navigating VBN, you can access detailed profiles and updates on various incentive programs, facilitating the comparison and selection of the best options for your production.

Unique Aspects

The Honolulu Film Office stands out for:

• Diverse Island Filming Locations: Oahu offers a vast array of locations, from tropical beaches, rainforests, and mountains to urban downtown settings, making it ideal for a wide range of film genres.
• Competitive Tax Incentives: Honolulu offers a 20% tax credit on qualified production expenditures, making it an affordable and attractive option for filmmakers, especially when combined with Hawaii’s neighbor islands’ higher credits.
• Comprehensive Local Support: The Film Office provides assistance with location scouting, permitting, and connecting filmmakers with local vendors and production crew, ensuring a smooth and efficient production process on the island of Oahu.

Understanding and Navigating with Vitrina

The Vitrina Business Network helps navigate the complexities of the Honolulu Film Office and similar organizations. VBN provides access to detailed profiles of local production companies, post-production facilities, and other service providers, ensuring your project meets all qualifying criteria for available incentives.

Vitrina’s Project Tracker

Vitrina’s project tracker identifies the most active film commissions and grant programs, as well as the projects they support. This tool provides insights into past and current projects, helping you understand which incentives are most effective and how to apply them to your own production.

Finding Local Partners with VBN

VBN connects you with local production companies, post-production facilities, animation studios, and other service providers. These connections can help your project meet the qualifying criteria for tax incentives and grant programs, ensuring you maximize the benefits offered by the Honolulu Film Office.

Key Takeaways

• The Honolulu Film Office offers support for location scouting, permitting, and production services on the island of Oahu.
• Hawaii provides a 20% tax credit on qualified production expenses on Oahu, making the island an attractive destination for filmmakers.
• VBN provides access to detailed profiles and updates on global film incentives.
• Utilize Vitrina’s project tracker to find active film commissions and grant programs.
• Connect with local partners through VBN to qualify for available production support.
• Programs like the Honolulu Film Office are frequently updated; check their latest policies on their official site and VBN.

Always check the latest updates on the Honolulu Film Office’s official website and their most recent projects on VBN.