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WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh Film Office is a non-profit organization that promotes the City of Pittsburgh and the greater southwestern Pennsylvania region as an excellent location for movie, television and commercial production; and,
WHEREAS, since its inception in 1990, the Pittsburgh Film Office has assisted with 132 feature films and television productions filmed in southwestern Pennsylvania, that generated an economic impact of more than $900 million for the region; and,
WHEREAS, in 2007, the Pittsburgh Film Office played an important role in supporting the Pennsylvania Film Tax Credit, a program that allows a 25% tax credit to production that spend at least 60% of the production budget in the Commonwealth; and,
WHEREAS, in 2014, 5 feature film and 1 television series were filmed in the city/region, adding more than $113 million into the regional economy and; one of those film productions, "Me, Earl and the Dying Girl" recently won the highest honor, "Grand Jury Prize" at the Sundance Film Festival; and,
WHEREAS, the 15th annual Academy Awards benefit, "Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Presents Lights! Glamour! Action!" will be held on February 22nd, 2015 at Heinz Field, to celebrate another outstanding year of the film industry in our region and support the mission of the Pittsburgh Film Office; and,
WHEREAS, the 2014 Academy Award Gala returned the highest net funds for the organization in its history; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and honor the important work of the Pittsburgh Film Office, and declare Sunday, February 22, 2015 to be Pittsburgh Film Office Day in the City of Pittsburgh.