A new report says the filming in Alaska of the Drew Barrymore-Ted Danson movie "Everybody Loves Whales" brought an estimated $16.5 million to the state economy. The report released Thursday by the Anchorage Economic Development Corp. said the film employed more than 1,300 Alaskans over the 58-day shoot last year. That number includes 48 cast members with speaking parts and about 1,100 extras.

The estimate also includes production company spending in Alaska.

The movie has applied for the state's film production tax credit.

The pending movie is a fictional retelling of a 1988 attempt to rescue California gray whales trapped under the ice near Barrow.