Steven Paul, CEO of SP Media Group, expressed his concerns regarding potential tariffs on foreign films during a session at the inaugural Doha Film Festival. Speaking in Doha, Paul addressed comments made by Donald Trump, who has suggested imposing 100% tariffs on films produced outside the United States. The implications of such tariffs and their feasibility remain unclear.
Paul, who serves as a manager and production partner for actor Jon Voight, explained the background of the tariffs proposal. He noted that the entertainment industry has seen a significant shift in filming locations, with productions increasingly moving to countries like England, Australia, and Bulgaria. He attributed this trend to high production costs in the United States and the attractive tax incentives offered abroad.
“We went around all of Hollywood: the idea was, there weren’t enough films being made in the US,” Paul stated. “Productions have been going everywhere in the world… It’s very expensive to film in the United States.” He emphasized the need for a plan to revitalize the American film industry, which they submitted to the president after consulting with various stakeholders, including streaming services and industry unions.
Paul elaborated on the coalition’s recommendations, which included tax credits, co-production opportunities, and infrastructure investment. “We gave the whole list to the president,” he said. “One of the things that he liked, 20 pages in, was the word tariffs. That got a lot of news. It’s been crazy.”
While Paul acknowledged the media frenzy surrounding the tariffs, he cautioned against their implementation, stating, “I don’t think it would be good if there were tariffs on the entertainment business.” He reiterated his hope for collaboration between international markets, specifically mentioning potential treaties between Doha and the United States.
As part of efforts to enhance US production capabilities, SP Media Group acquired the California-based Avenue Six Studios earlier in 2023. Paul recently produced a film starring Voight and Kelsey Grammer at the studio. He also leads the relaunch of the Atlas Comics library, with projects including a live-action adaptation of a story about a young woman discovering her extraordinary lineage.
During the Q&A segment, an attendee raised concerns about Voight’s controversial views, prompting Paul to sidestep the political implications. “I’m sadly not going to get into politics,” he remarked. “Jon Voight loves the entertainment business, Donald Trump loves the entertainment business, and we are dedicated and thinking about ways to help the business.”
Paul also criticized the media’s role in societal divisions, stating, “[The media] are dividing the United States, dividing the world, and demonising this one, demonising that one. We’re all human beings, we should all be working together.”
The Doha Film Festival is set to run until November 28, 2023. As the festival progresses, industry leaders will continue to navigate the complex landscape of international film production and potential policy changes.
