Governor Braun Signs Senate Enrolled Act 306 at Huntington University
SEA 306 offers tax credit to develop film and media economic sector in Indiana
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Indiana Governor Mike Braun visited Huntington University on Thursday to sign Senate Enrolled Act 306, a bill offering tax credit to develop the film and media economic sector in Indiana. HU was selected as the host site for the signing due to its leadership in the film industry in Indiana and its success as one of the top film institutions in the nation.
Hosted in HU’s main film studio in Becker Hall, the studio was staged with a press conference setup for the speaking portion of the event as well as a movie-like setup with a desk for Governor Braun to sign the bill, offering attendees an authentic behind-the-scenes look into the film industry. The studio and Becker Hall as a whole also featured a wide variety of hero props used in HU’s various feature films, including A Carpenter’s Prayer, Tea on the Beach and Overhill Manor.
Speakers at the event included HU President Rob Pepper, HU Professor of Digital Media Arts and Dean of the Arts Lance Clark, Huntington County Commissioner Rob Miller, co-author of SEA 306 Indiana Senator Andy Zay, Huntington Mayor Richard Strick and Governor Braun. Pepper and Clark focused on how the bill will enable growth within HU’s film program, giving students further opportunity to grow in their skills as filmmakers right here in Indiana, highlighting Overhill Manor as the most recent of these professional-level types of opportunities.
“It was such a joy to see all of our students from our film programs, both here and in Arizona, and students from around the state come and jump in on that along with professionals helping out as well,” Clark said. “You know, I feel like I’m wearing two hats today, although I’m not literally wearing one. I’m wearing a pedagogical hat, like my film professor hat says, ‘Let’s make movies, let’s impact the world for God through incredible stories.’ You know we’re story tellers, right? It’s the human narrative condition. And we’re doing that. I’ve been here 33 years now, I’m going into my 33rd year at Huntington, and it’s just so exciting to see where this program has grown and what it’s grown into.”
Clark stated HU plans to apply for the tax credit, with the benefits of the bill beginning in 2026.
Braun noted how the bill sets up Indiana well for the future within the industry as a whole.
“Angelo Pizzo was in my office about four or five months ago for a film he had in the works,” Braun said. “I think it may have had to have gone elsewhere for the very fix that this bill provided. So, this is just taking what we had out there that wasn’t practical in its form; this should be the start of hopefully making Indiana a place where you’re going to see all kinds of film stuff done. I’m an entrepreneur — way before I got into politics — I can see the potential. Right here could be the whole nucleus for how that begins.
“The day has come. We’re here, we’re all dressed up ready to go and you’re right at the forefront of what I think is going to be a great industry.”
