Several Florida film production legends were honored tonight by Film Florida, a nonprofit organization that provides a leadership role in Florida’s film and entertainment industries by representing a coalition of interests, including private industry, local film commissions, industry associations and labor organizations. The organization’s annual Film Florida Legends Awards honors those who have been key in building the Florida film production industry. This year’s honorees, all from the Jacksonville area, are late silent filmmaker Richard E. Norman, film and TV producer Jerry Smith and film distributor Belton Clark.

Poster advertising "The Flying Ace" by filmmaker Richard E. Norman, one of three honored at the recent Film Florida Legend Awards Gala. Film and TV producer Jerry Smith and distributor Belton Clark also were honored.

Richard Norman was among the earliest Florida Film production professionals. He produced what at the time were called “race films” during the 1910s and 1920s. Race films were the first to feature African American actors playing positive, non-stereotypical roles. Norman produced a string of successful race films starring some of the top black entertainers of the day including Bill Pickett, known as America’s first black rodeo star. His only known surviving film, The Flying Ace, is said to have inspired many of the earliest black aviators including a number of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. Norman’s five-building studio complex still stands in Jacksonville’s Old Arlington district and efforts are under way by the City of Jacksonville and the Norman Studios Silent Film Museum to restore and reopen the property as a museum and film learning center.

Jerry Smith, founder and CEO of PineRidge Film & Television, is an internationally recognized writer, producer, and director of lifestyle television programs, TV commercials, corporate communications and online content. Over his 35-year career, he created and directed promotional campaigns for nearly every major television ownership group in America, including Post-Newsweek, Hearst-Argyle Television, Scripps Networks, PBS, Discovery Networks, CBN, Home and Garden Network (HGTV), Fine Living, Food Network plus ABC, NBC and CBS-Owned Television Stations. PineRidge is best known over the past decade for its travel series projects including Great Hotels, Passport to Europe, Passport to Latin America, Girl Meets Hawaii, and Great Vacation Homes. Pine Ridge has landed six national Emmy awards and 11 nominations.

Belton Clark’s career as a prolific film distributor spans 40 years. He founded Clark Film Co. after he and his brother Harry acquired the rights to Allied Artists Films during the late 1960s and the company remains strong today. Clark has handled releases including Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love, Kill Bill, Good Will Hunting, The English Patient, Sling Blade, Bridget Jones Diary, My Left Foot, Stanley and more. Up next: the release of this summer’s Piranha 3D.

Digital Video Arts congratulates all the winners of the Film Florida Legends Awards.

Good news for Florida film production companies and professionals – new financial incentives for shooting in the Sunshine State begin today. Florida’s new Film and Entertainment Incentive Program offers tax relief incentives for both major film/TV productions and low-budget indies choosing a Florida production locale. It’s all part of the $175 million “Jobs for Florida” bill recently signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist.

The new law allows major Florida film productions and Florida TV productions that employ at least 50% of their production cast and below-the-line crew from Florida tax breaks of up to $8 million. Films and video games with family-friendly content may qualify for an added 5% tax break. Small independent, digital media productions and emerging media productions can apply for up to $125,000 in tax incentives.

Senator Don Gaetz (R-Destin) sponsored a new bill that allows tax breaks of up to $8 million for filmmakers shooting in Florida.

“With an unemployment rate worse than 12 percent, Florida families and Florida businesses are hurting,” said Republican Senator Don Gaetz of Destin. ‘This package of incentives actually loosens government’s grip on the private sector and gives companies solid reasons to stay in Florida, expand in Florida and come to Florida.”

Gaetz sponsored the bipartisan bill, CS/SB 1752. Democratic Sen. Jeremy Ring of Margate co-sponsored. In the House, primary sponsors were Rep. Will Weatherford of Chapel and Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff of Fort Lauderdale. The bill passed unanimously in both houses.

To qualify, your production must have a start date July 1 or later. Apply online to the Office of Film and Entertainment beginning today, June 9 at noon EST. And if you need help with any portion of your Florida film production, from concepting to post-production and packaging, contact Digital Video Arts at 888-340-1010. Good luck!