Film Louisiana showcases modernized tax incentives and expanding film industry at Hollywood reception

Written By Alicia Vial

Event unveils new “Louisiana Locations Lookbook” spotlighting the state’s culture, character and cinematic versatility

BATON ROUGE, La. – Film Louisiana hosted Crawfish Étouffée & Cocktails reception on Oct. 15 in Los Angeles, bringing a taste of Louisiana hospitality to Hollywood while highlighting the state’s film industry and its recently modernized tax incentive program, Act 44.

The evening brought together film industry professionals, Louisiana representatives and Hollywood decisionmakers for an authentic Louisiana experience, complete with crawfish étouffée, music and meaningful conversations about why the state continues to be one of the premier destinations for film and television production.

“With the passage of Act 44, Louisiana has one of the strongest and most flexible incentive programs in the country,” said Jason Waggenspack, Film Louisiana president. “This event was about making sure studios know we can move at the speed of Hollywood. We’re open for business – with 40% labor credits, no per-project or per-person caps and the stability producers need to invest here long-term.”

The updated Motion Picture Production Tax Credit program was a key focus of the event. Act 44 modernized the structure by removing outdated caps and ensuring long-term stability through 2031, while continuing to maintain the $125 million annual cap. State leadership has strongly backed these changes, signaling unified support for Louisiana’s film industry as a driver of jobs, investment and cultural visibility.

“Louisiana is more than a beautiful place to film – it’s one of the smartest investments a studio can make. Every time a film is made in Louisiana it shines a spotlight on our unmatched locations, our skilled crews and the welcoming spirit of our people,” said Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. “We are proud to roll out the red carpet in Hollywood for this event to show firsthand why Louisiana is a world-class partner for film production. With these stronger incentives and our one-of-a-kind hospitality, we’re ready to welcome even more filmmakers and visitors to Louisiana.”

Another key highlight of the event was the official launch of the new Louisiana Locations Lookbook, a comprehensive resource for industry decision-makers. The lookbook was designed to illustrate the state’s vast location diversity and its capacity to serve as a convincing double for a wide array of domestic and international settings.

“We were thrilled to unveil our new Louisiana Locations Lookbook, a tool we believe will be invaluable to Hollywood creatives,” said Waggenspack. “It’s designed to show Louisiana through a new lens and showcase the incredible chameleon-like quality of our state – proving that whether your script is set in a European city, a tropical jungle or a quaint small town, Louisiana has the perfect backdrop.”

The Crawfish Etouffee & Cocktails reception reinforced Louisiana’s reputation as a production hub, showcasing not only its updated incentives but also the diverse filming locations, seasoned crews and cultural richness that make Louisiana a one-of-a-kind partner for Hollywood.

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About Film Louisiana:

Film is the driving force behind Louisiana’s leadership in the film industry. As a collective of passionate industry professionals, the organization champions the sustainability of the Louisiana film entertainment industry through preserving and enhancing the Film Program, supporting thousands of Louisianians in the film sector. Beyond advocacy, Film Louisiana promotes global interest and investment in the state as a premier film production destination.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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