Feature Film 'It Follows' Approved for Film Incentive

LANSING (WWJ) -- The Michigan Film Office announced Friday that the feature film "It Follows" has been approved for a film incentive from the state.

This project, set in Michigan, will film this fall in Detroit and surrounding communities, including Sterling Heights, Royal Oak, and Clawson.

Writer-director David Robert Mitchell, a Michigan native, set the script in his home state to highlight locations throughout Southeast Michigan. Another Michigan native, Rebecca Green, will produce the project alongside Laura D. Smith, Erik Rommesmo for Northern Lights Films, and David Kaplan for Animal Kingdom.

Mitchell's debut feature, "The Myth of the American Sleepover," filmed in metro Detroit. The film went on to screen at Cannes and SXSW and be distributed by IFC. In addition to strong critical reviews, the project was listed as one of the top five films of the year on Ebert Presents at the Movies.

"As we work to attract the best projects to Michigan it is always an added bonus when we can bring homegrown talent back to the state," said Margaret O'Riley, director of the Michigan Film Office. "'It Follows' is hiring local cast and crew and will be utilizing Michigan businesses and support services. We are glad to have them filming here, harnessing our Michigan talent and drawing that investment to our state and several Michigan communities."

It Follows was awarded an incentive of $183,425 on $647,873 of projected in-state expenditures. The project is expected to hire 46 Michigan workers with a full time equivalent of three jobs.

A terrifying coming-of-age nightmare, It Follows tells the story of five friends and the unseen horrors that follow them.

"I'm thrilled to be making another film in Michigan," said Mitchell. "It's a beautiful state filled with a lot of really kind and talented people. It's the place I was born and I intend to make more films here."

In the state's fiscal year 2013, which ends Sept. 30, 30 projects have been awarded a total of $36,834,461 on $139,453,412 of approved production expenditures for the year. These projects are expected to create 1,990 Michigan hires with a full time equivalent of 683 jobs.

The Michigan Film Office was created in 1979 to assist and attract incoming production companies and promote the growth of Michigan's own film industry. The Film Office also administers the incentive program for film, television and other digital media production in Michigan. For more on the Michigan Film Office, visit: MichiganFilmOffice.org.