Utah incentives credited for rise in film production

The number of film production days in Utah was up more than 50 percent during the most recent fiscal year — a figure the Utah Film Commission attributes to the success of state financial incentives for the movie industry.

Film production days totaled 1,758 for the fiscal year ended June 30. The commission said their impact to the state was $109.5 million, including the Sundance Film Festival. That compares with 1,148 production days the previous year, with an impact of $83.7 million.

Feature films produced in Utah the past year include "World's Fastest Indian," "Don't Come Knocking," "Buffalo Dream," "Spiritual Warriors," "Bloody Mary," "Dead Rail," "Go Figure," "Blind Guy," "American Gothic" and "Life Is Ruff." WB continues to film its "Everwood" television series in Utah, and more than 130 commercials, industrial films and documentaries were shot in the state last year, the commission said.