The last few years have seen some super good “movies” made in the Palm Springs area and now, thanks to an incentive program launched by the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), Christmas in Palm Springs 2: Electric Boogaloo is a real possibility.
As Variety reports, the CVB, which has an astronomical $14 million annual budget, launched a program with $100,000 in annual incentive funding on Wednesday – which is weird since the city of Palm Springs is trying convince everyone that they need to raise taxes with a ballot measure next week (and others have raised taxes too) because they don’t have enough money to pay for anything…well, except maybe another movie with William Shatner or Hidden Palms 2.
The program, launched through the bureau’s Film Oasis operation, is available for features, scripted and unscripted television, commercials and still photography shoots. In order to qualify for funds, a production must spend a minimum of $25,000 in permits, lodging and meals in the Coachella Valley.
“Greater Palm Springs is an area steeped in Hollywood history,” said Scott White, the bureau’s president and CEO. “The scenic beauty of our destination has long-served as the backdrop for motion picture and television filming. However, with our exciting new incentives program, we are set to position Greater Palm Springs as a leading film production destination, bringing increased exposure and income to our nine cities.”
Here are the trailers for some of the recent amazing films made in the Coachella Valley. Surely, you can expect to see these again come Oscar time.(Note: that William Shatner movie is not included because they don’t have enough money to finish it)
Palm Swings
Valentine Dayz
Christmas in Palm Springs
And remember, while Palm Springs will probably nix the free Buzz trolley out of its next budget, you can watch these shitty movies on Amazon forever. Money well spent.
