Introduction : Hawaii State Film Office
The Hawaii State Film Office serves as the central hub for film, television, and media productions across all the Hawaiian islands. With access to stunning and diverse natural landscapes—from tropical rainforests and pristine beaches to volcanoes and lush mountains—Hawaii offers filmmakers some of the world’s most visually captivating settings. The Hawaii State Film Office supports productions by providing assistance with location scouting, permitting, and connecting filmmakers to local vendors and resources. Additionally, Hawaii offers competitive tax incentives, making it an ideal destination for productions seeking breathtaking scenery and cost-effective filming options.
Mission and Purpose
The Hawaii State Film Office’s mission is to promote Hawaii as a world-class filming destination by offering filmmakers access to stunning natural landscapes, local production resources, and generous tax incentives. The office aims to attract both national and international productions, contributing to Hawaii’s economy and supporting the growth of its film industry.
Programs
The Hawaii State Film Office offers several key programs and services to assist filmmakers:
- Hawaii Motion Picture, Digital Media & Film Production Income Tax Credit: Productions filmed in Hawaii are eligible for a tax credit of up to 25% on the island of Oahu and up to 30% on the neighbor islands (including Hawaii Island, Kauai, and Maui) for qualified production expenses.
- Location Scouting Assistance: The Film Office helps filmmakers discover Hawaii’s diverse landscapes, including beaches, mountains, rainforests, and volcanoes.
- Permitting and Logistical Support: The office streamlines the permitting process, ensuring easy access to public and private locations across the Hawaiian Islands.
Crew and Vendor Directory: The Hawaii State Film Office connects filmmakers with local production professionals, vendors, and service providers to support all aspects of production.
Similar Programs
Similar programs to the Hawaii State Film Office include the California Film Commission, the New Mexico Film Office, and the Georgia Film, Music & Entertainment Office. These programs offer financial incentives, location scouting, and production support to filmmakers across the United States.
Maximize Your Hawaii State Film Office Benefits with Vitrina

Unique Aspects
The Hawaii State Film Office stands out for:
- Stunning Island Locations: Hawaii’s diverse filming locations, including tropical rainforests, active volcanoes, pristine beaches, and vibrant cities, provide filmmakers with a wide array of scenic options for nearly any production.
- Generous Film Tax Incentives: Productions in Hawaii can benefit from a tax credit of up to 30% on qualified expenses, making the islands a cost-effective choice for filmmakers.
- Comprehensive Production Support: The Film Office offers assistance with location scouting, permitting, and connections to local vendors and crew, ensuring a smooth production process from start to finish.
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 w
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 Hawaii State Film Office.
Key Takeaways
- The Hawaii State Film Office offers support for location scouting, permitting, and production services across all of the Hawaiian Islands.
- Hawaii provides tax credits of up to 30% on qualified production expenses, making the islands an attractive filming destination.
- 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 Hawaii State Film Office are frequently updated; check their latest policies on their official site and VBN.
Always check the latest updates on the Hawaii State Film Office’s official website and their most recent projects on VBN.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Hawaii State Film Office offers a tax credit of up to 25% for productions on Oahu and up to 30% on Hawaii’s neighbor islands for qualified production expenses.
Hawaii offers a wide variety of stunning locations, including tropical beaches, rainforests, mountains, volcanoes, and modern urban settings.
The Film Office assists with location scouting, permitting, and connections to local production crew and vendors to ensure a smooth production process.
VBN provides detailed profiles, connects you with local service providers, and helps navigate the application process for film incentives.