Nevada film bill to be revived with focus on UNLV partnership with movie industry

By Jaclyn Schultz | Fox 5| Published March 5, 2024

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - A highly publicized Nevada bill to lure movie studios to Las Vegas will be revived next legislative session with a focus on a partnership between UNLV, a major developer and a juggernaut Hollywood production company.

State Senator Roberta Lange announced the bill’s reboot to fellow legislators. The new proposal would offer $95 million in tax credits once the studio was built.

The 34-acre Las Vegas Media Campus would be integrated into the Harry Reid Research and Technology Park. Developer Birtcher recently announced a venture with juggernaut MBS Group, which boasts 900 productions a year and worked on notable titles such as the “Avatar” sequel and “The Mandalorian.”

Lange said residents keep buzzing about the film bill, and many have a good reason to keep inquiring: industry workers live in Las Vegas and commute to Los Angeles for projects, and would like a film hub close to home.

“We want to have Nevadans working on the films and in the production studios. If we can keep them here, that’s the best of both worlds,” Lange said. “Nevada is close to Hollywood, and they think it’s the best opportunity. And I think it’s the best opportunity for them,” she said.

The campus would have a crucial education center for students from colleges like UNLV and CSN.

UNLV College of Fine Arts Dean Nancy Uscher explains, though many films have settings in Las Vegas and Nevada, the industry needs crucial infrastructure to maintain a presence.

“If we’re going to really ramp up in scale, we need infrastructure, soundstages and other facilities. The great thing about the media campus is that it will offer infrastructure. Then we’ll be able to hire many people, creating jobs, helping the creative economy, helping the creative industries, and then of course, helping our students become interns and professionals right here in Las Vegas,” Uscher said.

More than 400 students at UNLV study in film-related courses such as acting, cinematography, lighting, directing producing and more, Uscher said.

Though there were rumblings that heavy interest in the bill could spur a special session, Lange said she’s honing on the bill this year for passage next year. The Nevada Legislature will meet again in spring 2025.

Article link: https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/03/06/nevada-film-bill-be-revived-with-focus-unlv-partnership-with-movie-industry/