The goal of AFFT is not to actively recruit film and television projects to Tennessee. Rather, through advocacy for beneficial laws and policies, we will give the government agencies that are responsible for that task the tools they need to be successful in bringing work to the state. We seek to level the playing field so that Tennessee can remain competitive and offer compelling financial reasons to work here rather than Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and many other states with strong and flexible incentive packages that have recently seen an influx of work.

After our legislative success this year in protecting the Headquarters Incentive, our goals going forward will be to make it easier to attract business to the state and for in-state multimedia businesses to take advantage of all the benefits Tennessee has to offer.

We must, however, continue to make clear that it would be a grave mistake for our lawmakers to allow the entertainment industry - for which the state is recognized internationally - to slip away to neighboring states which are actively pursuing production work from music videos to feature films.

Through the AFFT-PAC, we can continue to contribute to the campaigns of lawmakers who support our efforts and make our voices heard in a way that was not available to our industry before.

We will accomplish great things when we stand together and insist that the state of Tennessee include the entertainment industry as an important part of the state's economy. It really is now or never.

Scott W. Hallgren

President, AFFT