Howard County wants to become a hub for filmmaking – and they have a plan to put that picture into motion.
In February, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball formed the Film Industry and Location Marketing (FILM) Task Force, a 13-member committee tasked with strategizing how to turn the county into a “film-ready community,” not only for Maryland but the entire Mid-Atlantic region.
After seven months of monthly meetings, the task force approved an action plan with short-, medium-, and long-term recommendations for how Howard County can build a sustainable local film economy. On Wednesday, Ball announced the release of the final report.
“Home to a robust and thriving arts and cultural community, historic towns, scenic landscapes, and distinctive neighborhoods, Howard County is no stranger to film and television industry,” Ball said.
But the county wants to further grow “this underrepresented sector,” Ball said, and position itself as a “filmm-ready, competitive destination for film, television, and media production” guided by the task force’s recommendations.
The FILM Task Force offered guidance on how the county can improve coordination among agencies, streamline permitting and other processes, offer incentives and opportunities that would be attractive to film productions, identify potential film locations, assist with logistics such as parking and electrical capacity, and create coordinated marketing and branding strategies.
The plan includes 17 recommendations in total, including five top priorities:
- Hire a dedicated film liaison within the Howard County Tourism Council who would be the designated contact for film productions and would manage film-related communications, inquiries, and marketing.
- Establish an appointed Film Commission comprising community leaders and experts who would continue to provide review and advice on best practices for making the county more attractive to film productions.
- Create a dedicated film website for the county to share film-related information, marketing, and communication in one place.
- Publish a database of scenic and film-ready locations throughout Howard County, including parks, historic sites, and natural resources.
- Invest in branding and marketing to advertise Howard County as a film-ready jurisdiction, including its central location between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
The other 12 recommendations include:
- Creating an intake form for prospective film productions;
- Reviewing and updating County policies on use of facilities;
- Streamlining and creating a guide for the permitting process;
- Developing a film guide for private organizations;
- Establishing small grants for local and independent film productions;
- Supporting and expanding local film festivals;
- Participating in State-level advocacy for expanded incentives;
- Investing in workforce development and apprenticeship opportunities in the creative economy;
- Creating a Howard County film hospitality guide;
- Developing creator-focused studio spaces;
- Partnering with the Maryland Film Office to participate in a filming location database;
- Becoming a member of the Association of Film Commissioners International
The task force is co-chaired by Amanda Hof, Executive Director of Visit Howard County, and Robert Neal Marshall, an actor, director, producer and playwright.
Both highlighted that Howard County can be a prime destination for filmmaking and, in turn, those productions can help support the local economy.
“Howard County has the locations, talent and hospitality assets to become a premier destination for film and media production,” Hof said. “This report provides a clear path to make our county more film-ready, attract new investment and showcase Howard County to audiences around the world.”
“Howard County has a rich history as a backdrop for major, award-winning productions, and this task force marks a major step toward reclaiming that position,” Marshall said. “Film production is a powerful economic driver and vital art form. By streamlining permitting, establishing dedicated leadership, and expanding our creative workforce, these recommendations help build a film-ready foundation locally while ensuring Howard County remains an active, cohesive voice in statewide legislative advocacy for Maryland’s film industry.”
