Travis Kelce, the American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, is making waves in Hollywood with his debut film. Utilizing the US government's renewable energy tax credits, Kelce is pioneering innovative financing strategies in the indie film sector. His upcoming project, 'My Dead Friend Zoe,' is a war comedy-drama written by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes and A. J. Bermudez, starring a remarkable cast including Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman, Gloria Reuben, and Utkarsh Ambudkar. Kelce will be serving as an executive producer alongside Paul Scanlan, the co-founder and CEO of Legion M, a fan-owned entertainment company.
What sets Kelce's film apart is its financing method. The investors, including Kelce himself, are the first to take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to finance a film. The budget for 'My Dead Friend Zoe' is reported to be less than $10 million, making it a low-budget production. The Inflation Reduction Act, a part of the President's ambitious climate and energy agenda, allocates $11.7 billion to the Loan Programs Office (LPO). This program provides loans and loan guarantees to support innovative clean energy, advanced transportation, and tribal energy projects in the United States. The film's financing strategy showcases how renewable energy tax credits can boost the indie film sector and contribute to the achievement of the Biden-Harris Administration's climate goals, including a net-zero economy by 2050.
Kelce's film is not just an entertainment venture; it also aligns with efforts to revitalize energy infrastructure. The Inflation Reduction Act introduced the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment Program, which aims to enhance the efficiency of existing infrastructure or rejuvenate energy infrastructure that has ceased operations. The funds generated by green energy entrepreneur Mike Field's sale of surplus tax credits were used in the production of 'My Dead Friend Zoe.' Mike himself is also a producer on the film, adding to the fascinating collaboration behind the project.
Independent filmmaking is notoriously risky due to limited budgets and uncertain success rates. Ray Maiello, one of the movie producers involved, acknowledged these risks and emphasized the role federal tax credits play in mitigating them. He explained that federal tax credits significantly reduce the risk from a scale of 9.5 down to 5. By leveraging these tax credits, Kelce, Maiello, and Field are financing a second film, a Jean-Michel Basquiat documentary called 'King Pleasure.' This collaboration could potentially spark a trend in Hollywood, encouraging other filmmakers to utilize the Inflation Reduction Act as a viable finance option and revive the struggling indie film sector.
'My Dead Friend Zoe' follows the story of a female Afghanistan veteran, played by Natalie Morales, who confronts her Vietnam veteran grandfather, portrayed by Ed Harris, at their ancestral lake house. The film is set to premiere at the SXSW (South by Southwest) Festival in Austin, Texas, on March 9 and will be sold by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the talent and sports agency that also represents Travis Kelce.
Kelce's venture into Hollywood is reminiscent of NFL star Tom Brady, who has also ventured into acting and production. Kelce, known for his eco-friendly actions, showcases a different approach compared to his girlfriend, Taylor Swift. Swift has faced criticism for her frequent use of private jets, which contribute to carbon dioxide emissions and the climate crisis. In contrast, Kelce's filmmaking endeavors align with the renewable energy tax credits and the broader climate and energy goals set forth by the Biden-Harris Administration.
Kelce's foray into Hollywood brings a refreshing twist to his professional career while championing renewable energy and supporting the indie film sector. As he continues to make his mark both on the football field and in the entertainment industry, Kelce's commitment to sustainability highlights the importance of individual actions in addressing environmental challenges.
