Lights, camera, the Evergreen State: Why isn't Washington in more films about Washington?

Washington is home to some iconic movies and TV shows. But have you ever noticed that most of our favorite movies and TV shows that are set in the Evergreen state aren't actually filmed here?

That's thanks in part to the financial incentives under our state's Motion Picture Competitiveness Program.

Movies, TV shows, and commercials can qualify for local funding assistance for basic production costs like hotels, food, property permits and wages. Local states, cities, and other areas may offer other incentives, too, to encourage film crews to visit their neck of the woods and spend money there.

For years, Washington's tax incentive has been capped at $3.5 million. That's not very competitive when you consider its Northwest neighbors. By comparison, Oregon and Montana have film incentives of $20 million and $12 million. And Vancouver B.C., which has stood in as Seattle several times, doesn't have a limit on their incentive at all.

Those budgets make it financially tricky for productions to set up the cameras and craft service table in Washington.

That could change, though, thanks to a $11.5 million expansion to the state's film incentive program.

Soundside guest host Zaki Hamid spoke to Washington Filmworks Executive Director Amy Lillard, Seattle-based Assistant Director Tony Becerra, and The Stranger's Jas Keimig about what this budget boost means for the state's film industry, and the creatives who power it.