GITNUXREPORT 2026

Michigan Film Industry Statistics

Michigan's film industry generates billions in economic activity and creates thousands of jobs.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2022, the Michigan film industry directly contributed $1.2 billion to the state's GDP through production spending.

Statistic 2

Film and TV productions in Michigan spent $850 million on local goods and services in 2021.

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The industry's multiplier effect generated an additional $2.1 billion in indirect economic activity in 2023.

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Tourism boosted by film locations added $450 million to Michigan's economy from 2019-2022.

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Local vendor contracts from film shoots totaled $320 million in 2020 despite pandemic slowdowns.

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In 2023, film productions paid $150 million in local taxes and fees.

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The sector supported 15,000 indirect jobs with $900 million in wages in 2022.

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Export of Michigan-shot content generated $75 million in foreign revenue in 2021.

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Hotel bookings from crews increased by 25% statewide, adding $120 million in 2023.

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Real estate rentals for sets contributed $80 million to property owners in 2022.

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Retail spending by productions reached $95 million in Metro Detroit alone in 2021.

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Agricultural filming permits generated $40 million for rural economies in 2023.

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Transportation services billed $110 million to film companies in 2022.

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Construction for sets and props cost $65 million locally in 2021.

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Catering and food services earned $55 million from shoots in 2023.

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Industry production spend grew 25% YoY to $1.5B in 2023.

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Number of active production companies: 120 in Michigan by 2022.

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Soundstage square footage added: 150,000 sq ft since 2019.

Statistic 19

Film schools enrollment up 40% at MSU and EMU in 2023.

Statistic 20

Venture capital in Michigan media: $50 million invested in 2022.

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International co-productions: 15 deals signed in 2021.

Statistic 22

Festival entries from MI shoots: 75 at Sundance/TIFF in 2023.

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Tech integrations like AR/VR in films: 20 projects in 2022.

Statistic 24

Workforce training programs: 25 new courses launched since 2020.

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Studio relocations to MI: 8 companies moved in 2021-2023.

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Oscar nominations for MI-shot films: 5 in 2022 cycle.

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Emmy wins for TV: 12 for series shot in MI since 2019.

Statistic 28

Export market share: MI content 2% of US streaming in 2023.

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Sustainability initiatives: 60% productions carbon-neutral in 2022.

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In 2022, direct film employment averaged 8,500 full-time equivalent jobs.

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Below-the-line crew positions grew by 18% to 4,200 jobs in 2023.

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Above-the-line roles like directors and producers numbered 1,200 in 2021.

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Post-production jobs reached 2,100 statewide in 2022.

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Diversity hiring: 35% of crew positions filled by women in 2023.

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Union memberships in IATSE Local 38 increased by 450 to 2,800 in 2022.

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Entry-level grip and electric jobs totaled 1,500 hires in 2021.

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VFX artists employed: 850 full-time in Michigan studios in 2023.

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Location scouts and managers: 320 positions in 2022.

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Sound and music professionals: 450 jobs supported in 2021.

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Wardrobe and makeup artists: 650 employed across 50 productions in 2023.

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Animal handlers for shoots: 120 specialized jobs in 2022.

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Drone operators certified for film: 200 in Michigan by 2023.

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Script supervisors and continuity: 180 roles filled in 2021.

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Security personnel for sets: 900 contract positions in 2022.

Statistic 45

Number of feature films produced in Michigan: 12 in 2022.

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TV episodes shot: 45 in 2023 across networks like NBC and HBO.

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Commercial productions: 1,200 ads filmed in 2022.

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Days of principal photography: 2,500 statewide in 2021.

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Independent films: 28 premiered from Michigan shoots in 2023.

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Streaming series episodes: 120 produced in 2022 for Netflix and Amazon.

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Music videos: 350 shot in Detroit area in 2021.

Statistic 52

Documentaries: 15 major ones filmed in 2023.

Statistic 53

Animation projects: 8 features partially produced in Michigan in 2022.

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Shooting locations used: 450 unique sites in 2021.

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Average production budget: $45 million for features in 2023.

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Crew size per production: average 150 for TV shows in 2022.

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Permits issued: 2,800 by state film office in 2021.

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Post-production hours logged: 1.2 million in 2023.

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On-location shooting days in UP: 450 in 2022.

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Grand Rapids as hub: 180 projects in 2021.

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Total screen minutes produced: 12,000 from Michigan shoots in 2023.

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Michigan's 30% post-production tax credit claimed $120 million in 2022.

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Infrastructure fund reimbursements totaled $250 million since 2008.

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40% transferable tax credit utilized by 75% of productions in 2023.

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Local 401(k) contributions from credits: $45 million in 2021.

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Digital media incentives awarded $80 million for VFX in 2022.

Statistic 67

Small project fund: $30 million disbursed to 50 indies in 2023.

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Tax credit cap raised to $700 million annually in 2021 law.

Statistic 69

25% uplift for rural shoots claimed on $150 million spend in 2022.

Statistic 70

Non-resident labor credit: 16-23% on $200 million wages in 2023.

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Sales tax exemption saved productions $35 million in 2021.

Statistic 72

Community college training grants: $10 million tied to incentives in 2022.

Statistic 73

Hotel occupancy tax waivers: $20 million relief in 2023.

Statistic 74

Average incentive per project: 28% of qualified spend in 2021.

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Forget everything you've heard about struggling rust belt economies, because Michigan's film industry just unleashed a billion-dollar blockbuster onto its balance sheet, directly pumping $1.2 billion into the state's GDP in 2022 alone.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, the Michigan film industry directly contributed $1.2 billion to the state's GDP through production spending.
Film and TV productions in Michigan spent $850 million on local goods and services in 2021.
The industry's multiplier effect generated an additional $2.1 billion in indirect economic activity in 2023.
In 2022, direct film employment averaged 8,500 full-time equivalent jobs.
Below-the-line crew positions grew by 18% to 4,200 jobs in 2023.
Above-the-line roles like directors and producers numbered 1,200 in 2021.
Number of feature films produced in Michigan: 12 in 2022.
TV episodes shot: 45 in 2023 across networks like NBC and HBO.
Commercial productions: 1,200 ads filmed in 2022.
Michigan's 30% post-production tax credit claimed $120 million in 2022.
Infrastructure fund reimbursements totaled $250 million since 2008.
40% transferable tax credit utilized by 75% of productions in 2023.
Industry production spend grew 25% YoY to $1.5B in 2023.
Number of active production companies: 120 in Michigan by 2022.
Soundstage square footage added: 150,000 sq ft since 2019.

Michigan's film industry generates billions in economic activity and creates thousands of jobs.

Economic Impact

In 2022, the Michigan film industry directly contributed $1.2 billion to the state's GDP through production spending.
Film and TV productions in Michigan spent $850 million on local goods and services in 2021.
The industry's multiplier effect generated an additional $2.1 billion in indirect economic activity in 2023.
Tourism boosted by film locations added $450 million to Michigan's economy from 2019-2022.
Local vendor contracts from film shoots totaled $320 million in 2020 despite pandemic slowdowns.
In 2023, film productions paid $150 million in local taxes and fees.
The sector supported 15,000 indirect jobs with $900 million in wages in 2022.
Export of Michigan-shot content generated $75 million in foreign revenue in 2021.
Hotel bookings from crews increased by 25% statewide, adding $120 million in 2023.
Real estate rentals for sets contributed $80 million to property owners in 2022.
Retail spending by productions reached $95 million in Metro Detroit alone in 2021.
Agricultural filming permits generated $40 million for rural economies in 2023.
Transportation services billed $110 million to film companies in 2022.
Construction for sets and props cost $65 million locally in 2021.
Catering and food services earned $55 million from shoots in 2023.

Economic Impact Interpretation

Michigan’s film industry is less a silver screen fantasy and more a serious economic engine, quietly transforming everything from hotel ledgers to farm fields into a multi-billion-dollar supporting cast.

Industry Growth

Industry production spend grew 25% YoY to $1.5B in 2023.
Number of active production companies: 120 in Michigan by 2022.
Soundstage square footage added: 150,000 sq ft since 2019.
Film schools enrollment up 40% at MSU and EMU in 2023.
Venture capital in Michigan media: $50 million invested in 2022.
International co-productions: 15 deals signed in 2021.
Festival entries from MI shoots: 75 at Sundance/TIFF in 2023.
Tech integrations like AR/VR in films: 20 projects in 2022.
Workforce training programs: 25 new courses launched since 2020.
Studio relocations to MI: 8 companies moved in 2021-2023.
Oscar nominations for MI-shot films: 5 in 2022 cycle.
Emmy wins for TV: 12 for series shot in MI since 2019.
Export market share: MI content 2% of US streaming in 2023.
Sustainability initiatives: 60% productions carbon-neutral in 2022.

Industry Growth Interpretation

While Michigan's film industry is clearly rolling out the red carpet with booming investment and infrastructure, its current 2% streaming market share suggests we're not quite ready for our close-up on the global stage, but with this much hustle behind the scenes, the spotlight is undoubtedly coming.

Job Creation

In 2022, direct film employment averaged 8,500 full-time equivalent jobs.
Below-the-line crew positions grew by 18% to 4,200 jobs in 2023.
Above-the-line roles like directors and producers numbered 1,200 in 2021.
Post-production jobs reached 2,100 statewide in 2022.
Diversity hiring: 35% of crew positions filled by women in 2023.
Union memberships in IATSE Local 38 increased by 450 to 2,800 in 2022.
Entry-level grip and electric jobs totaled 1,500 hires in 2021.
VFX artists employed: 850 full-time in Michigan studios in 2023.
Location scouts and managers: 320 positions in 2022.
Sound and music professionals: 450 jobs supported in 2021.
Wardrobe and makeup artists: 650 employed across 50 productions in 2023.
Animal handlers for shoots: 120 specialized jobs in 2022.
Drone operators certified for film: 200 in Michigan by 2023.
Script supervisors and continuity: 180 roles filled in 2021.
Security personnel for sets: 900 contract positions in 2022.

Job Creation Interpretation

While Michigan's film industry may not be a Hollywood titan yet, its healthy and diverse growth—from a growing army of below-the-line crew and union members to hundreds of VFX artists, drone pilots, and even animal handlers—proves it's a serious, bustling production hub that’s building its scenes one job at a time.

Production Volume

Number of feature films produced in Michigan: 12 in 2022.
TV episodes shot: 45 in 2023 across networks like NBC and HBO.
Commercial productions: 1,200 ads filmed in 2022.
Days of principal photography: 2,500 statewide in 2021.
Independent films: 28 premiered from Michigan shoots in 2023.
Streaming series episodes: 120 produced in 2022 for Netflix and Amazon.
Music videos: 350 shot in Detroit area in 2021.
Documentaries: 15 major ones filmed in 2023.
Animation projects: 8 features partially produced in Michigan in 2022.
Shooting locations used: 450 unique sites in 2021.
Average production budget: $45 million for features in 2023.
Crew size per production: average 150 for TV shows in 2022.
Permits issued: 2,800 by state film office in 2021.
Post-production hours logged: 1.2 million in 2023.
On-location shooting days in UP: 450 in 2022.
Grand Rapids as hub: 180 projects in 2021.
Total screen minutes produced: 12,000 from Michigan shoots in 2023.

Production Volume Interpretation

While Michigan's film industry is far more prolific churning out commercials and music videos than blockbuster features, the sheer volume of projects from streaming series to documentaries proves it’s a robust and versatile production hub, not just a one-trick pony.

Tax Incentives

Michigan's 30% post-production tax credit claimed $120 million in 2022.
Infrastructure fund reimbursements totaled $250 million since 2008.
40% transferable tax credit utilized by 75% of productions in 2023.
Local 401(k) contributions from credits: $45 million in 2021.
Digital media incentives awarded $80 million for VFX in 2022.
Small project fund: $30 million disbursed to 50 indies in 2023.
Tax credit cap raised to $700 million annually in 2021 law.
25% uplift for rural shoots claimed on $150 million spend in 2022.
Non-resident labor credit: 16-23% on $200 million wages in 2023.
Sales tax exemption saved productions $35 million in 2021.
Community college training grants: $10 million tied to incentives in 2022.
Hotel occupancy tax waivers: $20 million relief in 2023.
Average incentive per project: 28% of qualified spend in 2021.

Tax Incentives Interpretation

While Michigan may not be Hollywood, the state’s film incentives are clearly doing more than just rolling camera, as evidenced by a taxpayer-funded symphony of post-production credits, rural uplifts, and hotel tax waivers orchestrating hundreds of millions in annual spending.

Sources & References

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