A plan to return movies to bayou

An arrangement to finance movies shot in Louisiana and to help boost the state’s Hurricane Katrina-ravaged industry has been established by Los Angeles-based Element Films and New Orleans-based LIFT Films, the companies announced Thursday.

Under the deal, which is potentially worth $200 million, filmmakers can utilize tax credits and other incentives facilitated by the state. It will cover as many as 15 theatrically distributed movies over three years.

The first movie to be produced under the arrangement will be the youth comedy “College.”

Upcoming films produced through Element and LIFT include “Mr. Brooks” with Kevin Costner and William Hurt, and “Freshman Orientation” with John Goodman.