Wooing the film industry

They're coming from such exotic locales as Bruges and Namibia, Colorado and Michigan to the joy - and consternation - of local film professionals. Bob Strauss in the Daily News.

The Association of Film Commissioners International holds its annual Locations Trade Show today through Saturday at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Some 240 exhibitors from more than 30 countries will man displays, host receptions, network at seminars and generally try to persuade film and television producers to shoot in their municipalities, states, provinces or nations.

Many U.S. states will come armed with offers of tax breaks, rebates and grants -- the kind of economic incentives that a report released this week said are partially responsible for the lowest quarterly number of feature location shoots in the L.A. region since 1993.