Can Tariffs Keep Film Jobs in the U.S.? with Will French
Description
We sit down once again with Will French from Fallbrook Financial Services, a pioneering figure in film tax credits and global production finance. Will has overseen hundreds of projects and is widely regarded as a thought leader in the intersection of film, policy, and economics. During the last conversation, we laid important groundwork on international incentives, tariffs, and the cost structures shaping production worldwide. This time, the stakes are even higher as the film industry faces an unprecedented policy debate.
With President Trump’s former announcement of a proposed 100% tariff on all foreign-made films distributed in the U.S., Cameron and Will dive into the legality, feasibility, and far-reaching consequences of such a move. Will explains how tariffs typically function in manufacturing sectors and why film—largely a digital export industry—presents unique enforcement challenges. He walks listeners through the ripple effects tariffs could trigger, from reciprocal taxes by foreign governments to the potential hollowing out of one of America’s strongest export industries.
The discussion also explores the economic realities driving production overseas, including the rising cost of domestic labor following recent guild strikes and the powerful pull of international tax incentives. Will highlights the vulnerabilities of the U.S. model and sketches out a potential path forward—arguing for a federal incentive program that could complement state-level tax credits and help retain production jobs at home. By comparing U.S. policy gaps with systems in Canada and Australia, he demonstrates what a practical, enforceable approach might look like.
This is a conversation about more than just tariffs. It’s about the future of American filmmaking, cultural export, and the global chessboard of film finance. Join us for an insightful, nonpartisan discussion that pulls back the curtain on how policy decisions made in Washington could reverberate through studios, streaming platforms, and sets across the world.
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