Three new films will make Utah their home as a result of economic incentives designed to bolster the state's film industry.

On Friday, the Board of Business and Economic Development approved incentives totaling nearly $700,000 for three motion pictures. They are:

• "The World's Fastest Indian" by Los Angeles-based Campic Productions Inc., up to $453,219.

• "Dark Matter" by New York-based Salt Mill, up to $159,804.

• "The Impossible Dream" by Provo-based Kaleidoscope, up to $48,000.

The three incentive awards follow a $250,000 incentive given out in June for the production of "Buffalo Dreams," a made-for-TV movie funded by ABC Cable Networks Group, which is owned by The Walt Disney Co.

The board in May set aside $1 million in film incentives to lure more film work to Utah.

Leigh von der Esch, executive director of the Utah Film Commission, said the incentive program is working well. The film incentives are targeted at productions that spend at least 60 percent of their payroll and taxable purchases in Utah.

The producers of "Dark Matter" originally intended to film their movie in Toronto but became aware of Utah's incentive program and changed locations.

The film's director stressed it was important that the film be shot in Utah, she said.

"Our company would like to film in Utah because of its atheistic choice and in addition to its rebate, Utah is the best option for our budget," the application said.

"The World's Fastest Indian," which stars Anthony Hopkins, is the story of Burt Monroe, a New Zealander who set a land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967.

"The incentive for me is about setting this movie in the place where it really happened," said Roger Donaldson, the film's director. "This movie is an independently financed movie. The money that you (the board) would add to the budget would be spent on the film, not going back to the investors."

Roughly one-third of the movie will be shot in New Zealand and two-thirds in Utah, he said.

Russ Kendall, producer of "The Impossible Dream," said the incentive for his production would create a better film.

"The budgets on these independently produced films are low and every dollar counts," Kendall said. "Right now, there are some films coming out of here that are getting national attention. Every time one of these locally produced films goes nationwide, they see that's Utah crews, that's Utah talent, that's Utah locations. That brings national eyes back here."

Utah's film industry contributed $43 million to the state's economy for the fiscal year ended 2004, according to Tracie Cayford, a spokeswoman for the board. That's down from $92 million in 2003 and a record $107 million in 2002 when Salt Lake City hosted the Olympic Winter Games.

Film production days in Utah dropped slightly from 1,191 in 2003 to 1,148 days in 2004. Production days in 2002 hit 1,249, compared to 1,208 in 2001 and a record 2,806 days in 2000.

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