Iowa Film Rebate Program
Iowa Film Rebate Program supports production facilities making films and series in Iowa, funding direct production costs to create lasting statewide benefits and resident training and recruitment opportunities.
This grant was recently updated
Before budgeting, review the expanded expense rules, especially restrictions on affiliated vendors, equipment purchases, lodging and excluded costs; consult IEDA about conflicting equipment guidance. If you’re a first-time applicant, submit facility certification, and review the new portal instructions for award notices and CPA reporting. Program manager and compliance contacts have also been added; your March 16, 2026 application deadline and available funding are unchanged.
Funder: Iowa Arts and Culture
Due Dates: March 16, 2026 (Application) | June 30, 2027 (Qualified expenses end) | August 30, 2027 (Budget and Economic Impact Reports) | March 20, 2029 (Final Report/Rebate Claim)
Funding Amounts: Up to 30% of qualified expenditures; $4 million available through June 30, 2027
Summary: Rebates support Iowa film productions that deliver lasting statewide benefits and education, training, and recruitment opportunities for residents.
Key Information: Principal photography must not begin before rebate approval, and an IEDA agreement must precede funded activities.
Description
The Iowa Film Rebate Program is a two-year pilot funded by an Iowa Legislature appropriation and administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). It supports qualified production facilities creating feature films, television series, documentaries, and unscripted series in Iowa. The program seeks productions with an overall long-term positive impact on the state and opportunities for residents to learn, train, and enter production work.
Rebates support one-time direct project expenses essential to completing a qualified production rather than general studio operations. A facility may seek support for multiple productions. Review considers cooperation with Iowa colleges and universities on training and recruitment, whether the rebate encourages an Iowa location over an out-of-state location, and the production’s likely lasting benefit to Iowa.
