Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Film Office has secured four films to shoot in Ohio, bringing the total number of films, television series, and commercials assisted by the Motion Picture Tax Credit to 24 since the program began in Fiscal Year 2010. The independent films include LIBERAL ARTS (starring How I Met Your Mother actor and Columbus-native Josh Radnor), OLD FASHIONED, OVER THE WALL (starring Kim Basinger, Nick Stahl, and Freddy Rodriguez), and SEVEN BELOW ZERO (starring Val Kilmer).

“With recent movies such as Unstoppable, Ides of March, The Avengers, and more, Ohio is seeing a boom of interest from Hollywood,” said James A. Leftwich, Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “These films will provide an economic boost to the communities that serve as sets and continue to grow Ohio’s film industry into something Ohioans can be proud of.”

Since the tax credit began, the Ohio Film Office has provided more than $29 million in tax credits to Ohio productions, which have employed more than 9,000 Ohioans and contributed nearly $120 million to Ohio’s economy.

“We are delighted that our combination of locations and incentives has generated increased interest in Ohio as a production destination,” said Amir Eylon, Director of the Ohio Tourism Division, which houses the Ohio Film Office. “These recent successes mark a positive step forward in stimulating new production work across the state.”

LIBERAL ARTS will shoot in the City of Gambier around Kenyon College, as well as the City of Columbus. The film, written and directed by Josh Radnor, centers around a 30 something man and a co-ed, who spark a friendship due to their mutual love of books and music, but their age difference complicates the blossoming relationship. The project is expected to hire approximately 170 Ohioans as part of the cast and crew.

OLD FASHIONED will shoot in Tuscarawas County. The film, written and directed by Rik Swartzwelder, an area native, revolves around a charming but lonely, idealistic antique shop owner who meets a free-spirited young woman running from an abusive relationship. Together they attempt an old fashion courtship in contemporary America. The project is expected to hire approximately 60 Ohioans as part of the cast and crew. Auditions will be held June 26-27 at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University’s Performing Arts Center.

OVER THE WALL will shoot in Darke, Mercer, and Stark counties in late summer and early fall of 2011. The film is set in the world of professional stock-car racing, which centers on a violent tragedy that rips the characters’ lives apart in a story of love, betrayal, and revenge. The project is expected to hire more than 600 Ohioans as part of the cast and crew.

SEVEN BELOW ZERO will shoot in the cities of Goshen, Cincinnati, and surrounding areas in mid-summer of 2011. The film is about a tour bus accident that leaves six travelers trapped in a home where a murder happened 100 years ago. The characters begin to experience strange phenomenon and wonder if spirits are trying to warn them or harm them. The project is expected to hire approximately 60 Ohioans as part of the cast and crew.

In order to be eligible for the tax credit, the production companies must show reviewable progress to the Ohio Film Office within 90 days of receiving the notification letter. In addition, they will only receive the tax credit upon the completion of production.

For more information on the tax credit, or how to get involved with the films, visit www.ohiofilmoffice.com.

The Ohio Film Office administers the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, which helps advance the motion picture industry in the State of Ohio, creating job opportunities and revenue. The Ohio Film Office aggressively recruits outside production activity to Ohio and helps retain and grow existing Ohio production companies and related businesses with the assistance and collaboration of industry partners. The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, totaling $30 million for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011, is calculated in two components: Ohio resident cast and crew wages will be credited at 35 percent. All other eligible production expenditures will be credited at 25 percent.

Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio’s future.