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State Awards $33 Million to Strengthen Ohio Film Industry

Pictured: Film projector and film director’s chair in dark place, 3D rendering
mesh cube

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


SOURCE: Hometown Stations | Joseph Sharpe, Press Release Written and provided by the Ohio Department of Development
January 31, 2025

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The Ohio Department of Development today announced state support of more than $33 million in tax credits through two tax credit programs aimed at developing a strong film industry in Ohio.  

Through the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit Program (OMPTC), 14 projects are being awarded more than $26 million in tax credits. The recently launched Ohio Film & Theater Capital Improvements Tax Credit Program (OFATCI) will award four projects more than $7.3 million in tax credits to support capital improvements projects used in the production and postproduction motion picture or Broadway theatrical industries.

“These awards help ensure that Ohio is represented in stories that capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences around the world,” said Governor DeWine. “We’re not just supporting productions—we’re building an industry that will keep jobs in our state for years to come.”

“Our film tax credits bring producers and stars to Ohio, and they create opportunities for the local businesses, skilled trades, and creatives already here,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “The expansion of film incentives to include capital improvements ensures that productions can find all of resources they need to succeed in the Heart of it All.”

Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit Awards

TV Series

  • Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries – Series 1, Canton, $440,211
  • WWE 2025 Productions, Cleveland, $731,294
  • Ohio Singles Project S11, Columbus, $728,406
  • Project Revival, Columbus, $153,750

Feature Films

  • Kickin’ It, Cincinnati, $1,244,955
  • Arnie, Cleveland, $1,223,725
  • Jacob and the Wolf, Cleveland, $719,019
  • Old Cedar Road, Cleveland, $5,317,456
  • Automated Trucking, Culver City, $12,392,622
  • Test, Dover, $235,998
  • A Different Christmas, Hamilton, $1,543,270
  • Union County, Marysville, $363,665
  • Meteor Anne, Wadsworth, $608,277

 

Documentaries

  • Hilarities, Lakewood, $312,742

Projects awarded an Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit total more than $138 million in production expenses and $87 million in total eligible production expenses and are expected to create 197 full-time jobs. Development received 26 applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 January round, requesting more than $69 million in tax credits.

Ohio Film & Theater Capital Improvements Tax Credit Awards

Cleveland Production Center (Strongsville, Cuyahoga County) Total Project Cost: $4,972,800 Total Tax Credit: $1,243,200

The project will receive a tax credit to renovate a 12,000-square-foot facility for studio and post-production needs. It will include a volume studio and suites for editing, audio, and motion graphics, addressing industry demand for complex post-production and interior shoots.

Schoolyard Soundstage and Studio (Burton, Geauga County) Total Project Cost: $1,572,626.63 Total Tax Credit: $267,631

A 10,000-square-foot soundstage and post-production facility is being built at the former Berkshire High School in Burton. It will support film, TV, commercial, music productions, and corporate events, marking the region’s first soundstage of this size.

Sandusky State Theatre Rebuild (Sandusky, Erie County) Total Project Cost: $35,313,942.45 Total Tax Credit: $5,000,000

The Sandusky State Theatre is undergoing restoration and renovation after tornado damage in 2020. Plans include modernizing non-historic areas, a 35,000-square-foot addition with an art gallery, a second venue, ADA upgrades, expanded restrooms, and concessions for the 1,500-seat auditorium.

TRG Virtual Production Project (Brooklyn, Cuyahoga County) Total Project Cost: $3,402,037.38 Total Tax Credit: $850,509

TRG Multimedia will receive funding to build a virtual production stage featuring high-resolution LED walls and camera tracking systems. This facility will enhance film production capabilities, support more projects, and help hire and retain local talent.

Projects awarded an Ohio Film and Theater Capital Improvement Tax Credit total more than $45 million in investments and are expected to have $33 million in qualified expenditures and create 61 new full-time jobs.

OMPTC applications are reviewed and awarded in two rounds each year. The program provides $50 million annually, evenly divided between the two rounds, plus any rollover amounts from the preceding period and any recaptured funds from previous productions. There is $5 million withheld annually from the full amount specifically for Broadway and theatrical productions. Projects are awarded first to television series or miniseries, then to all others, based on the extent of positive economic impact in Ohio and the effect on developing a permanent workforce in motion picture or theatrical production industries in the state.

OFATCI applications are received and awarded annually. The program provides a refundable credit to a production company in an amount equal to the lesser of $5 million or 25% of total qualified expenditures incurred in completing a capital improvements project, including the costs of acquiring, constructing, rehabilitating, repairing, redeveloping, expanding, or improving facilities or for costs associated with purchasing and installing equipment used in the production and postproduction motion picture or Broadway theatrical industries.

Additional program information can be found at development.ohio.gov/film.

The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.

Copyright 2025 by Lima Communications Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Best Places to Live and Works as a Moviemaker in 2025 | MovieMaker Magazine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


SOURCE: MovieMaker Magazine | Tim Molloy
January 22, 2025

MovieMaker Magazine has named Cleveland one of The Best Places to Live and Work as a MovieMaker!

16. CLEVELAND, OHIO 

The Man of Steel himself recently touched down in Cleveland, where James Gunn partially filmed his upcoming Superman movie from DC Studios. Ohio is going strong, too, offering $75 million in tax incentives per year, including a 30% rebate with no minimum number of shoot days to qualify. Cleveland’s crew base is large, hardworking and experienced, and Cleveland’s unique natural and historical filming locations include Lake Erie, the Victorian-era landmark the Cleveland Arcade, Cedar Point amusement park, and Squire’s Castle, an 1890s gatehouse inspired by  English and German baronial castles. The city’s crowd-pleasing Cleveland International Film Festival turns up regularly on our list of 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee, and Ohio’s second-largest city is also home to distribution company Gravitas Ventures, which recently acquired locally made production Escaping Ohio, directed by Jessica Michael Davis, who is from nearby Akron. We’re very proud to support the film through MovieMaker Production Services.

See the Full List 

Supporting our LA Film Family

The film and media community is built on collaboration and resilience. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.

If you or someone you know needs support, or if you’d like to help, we’ve compiled a list of resources and relief efforts. Together, we can make a difference.

RESOURCES

DONATE

Your contribution will immediately help people affected by the Southern California wildfires.

  • Entertainment Community Fund – A National human services organization for entertainment and performing arts professionals. Services include social services and emergency financial assistance in times of unexpected critical need, health insurance, resource center, counseling and crisis support, and more
  • Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) Wildfire ReliefMPTF (Motion Picture & Television Fund) offers a variety of services that can provide emotional and financial relief to industry members and their families during times of need. Services include counseling services, supportive services and community resources, and financial assistance.
  • SAG-AFTRA Foundation – The SAG-AFTRA Foundation Disaster Relief Fund is a program designed to provide urgent financial assistance to SAG-AFTRA members who have been affected by a natural disaster.

VOLUNTEER

Greater Cleveland Film Commission to hold annual ‘Behind the Camera’ fundraiser this month | Cleveland.com

Greater Cleveland Film Commission brought the Man of Steel home this summer as director James Gunn and star David Corenswet filmed part of DC Studios’ new “Superman” movie in Northeast Ohio. John Kuntz, cleveland.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


SOURCE: Cleveland.com | Joey Morona
November 1, 2024

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Greater Cleveland Film Commission, the nonprofit focused on bringing film and television production to Northeast Ohio, will hold its annual “Behind the Camera” fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 9.

The evening features a screening of ”What’s Next?”, the documentary about Dr. Howard Tucker, the 102-year-old Cleveland Heights physician recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest practicing doctor. The film, which held its world premiere at the Cleveland International Film Festival back in April, chronicles a year in the life of Tucker, who still teaches medical students at Case Western Reserve University and has become a sensation on TikTok, where he posts his pearls of wisdom on life.

The film will be followed by a Q&A with Tucker and his grandson Austin Tucker, who produced the documentary. Peter Lawson Jones, the former local politician turned professional actor, moderates. The event, which starts at 6 p.m. with a reception, will be held at the Cleveland Metropolitan Convention Center, located at 1375 East 9th St. Tickets are $100, with half of the cost tax-deductible.

Proceeds go towards GCFC’s workforce development programs, which connect local workers to careers in the entertainment industry. That built-in workforce, along with the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, helps make the region more attractive to film and television producers.

“GCFC is a not-for-profit that does not receive any commission or fees from the productions it books,” said Bill Garvey, President of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. “These productions won’t choose Northeast Ohio if there isn’t a local crew base to hire.”

The organization has booked 17 projects in 2024-25, including DC Studios’ “Superman” reboot and “Stickshift,” an upcoming action movie at Hulu. According to Garvey, the productions have spent over $77.8 million in the region so far this year, working with 406 vendors, employing 2,926 crew members and 2,570 background actors, while generating over $1.1 million in income tax revenue for the City of Cleveland and more than $1.5 million in sales tax revenue.

For more information about the fundraiser, visit clevelandfilm.com.

An organization’s goal to bring more movies to Cleveland | Cleveland 19 News


SOURCE: Cleveland 19 News |  Colton Molesky – WOIO
August 14, 2024

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – For weeks, the filming of the movie Superman took over downtown Cleveland, and the organization Greater Cleveland Film Commission is working to continue growing the industry in Northeast Ohio.

So this year, we’ve already had 80 million in production that’s been spent here already,” said President Bill Garvey. “This year, we’ve been able to attract 148 million dollars to come to choose Northeast Ohio, and with the latest round that was just announced, another 68 million on top of that.”

Garvey says movie-making ballooned to the tune of $243 billion in 2023. The commission’s goal is to bring more of that spending to Ohio, but it’s more than just hotels and food.

“We want to build on that {prior success}, build on our past successes, and grow this even more than it has grown,” said Garvey.

He says as more projects come to the state, there is more opportunity for people to create jobs in the industry, sustaining businesses and employee people in the Cleveland area.

The big key is the 30% tax credit offered to projects on spending in the state. And that investment in the industry has doubled.

“So with the doubling of the cap that attracts these projects, that means double the amount of money spent here in the state, that drives more investment into the state that drives more jobs into the state,” said Garvey.

The goal is to keep building on the growth Northeast Ohio is seeing, which happens via the film commission selling projects on Cleveland and surrounding areas as a location.

It’s a pitch Garvey says is helped when big projects like Superman come to town and showcase just what Ohio can offer.

Hollywood Basic Crafts Overwhelmingly Ratify New Deal with Studios and Streamers

Hollywood Basic Crafts negotiators stand outside the offices of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. COURTESY OF THE TEAMSTERS LOCAL 399

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter | Katie Kilkenny, Winston Cho
August 1, 2024

Quelling fears of another strike in entertainment, Hollywood Basic Crafts coalition members on Thursday voted to ratify their unions’ new three-year deal with major studios and streamers.

Each of the Basic Craft Locals saw overwhelming ratification by their respective memberships: LiUNA! Local 724 with 96 percent; IBEW Local 40 with 92 percent; OPCMIA Local 755 with 97 percent; UA Local 78 with 97 percent; Teamsters Local 399 with 96 percent of the Black Book Agreement (covering drivers, dispatchers, dot admins, chef assistants, animal trainers/ wranglers, mechanics); and Teamsters Local 399 with 98 percent of the Location Manager Agreement (covering location managers, key assistant location manager and assistant location managers).

 

 

Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit Announces $36.7 Million in Support of New Film, TV & Theater Projects

STICKSHIFT crew filming in Tremont earlier this year. Photo Credit: Lou Muenz (@loumuenz)

SOURCE: Greater Cleveland Film Commission
July 30, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik have announced that $36.7 million in state tax credits will support 17 film, TV, and theatrical production projects in Ohio.

As part of the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit Program, 14 feature films, one TV mini-series, and one Broadway/theatrical production are expected to create approximately 500 new jobs, nearly $122 million in eligible production expenditures, and $150 million in total production expenses, according to the state’s press release.

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC) is proud of its success in attracting 6 new productions to choose Northeast Ohio in the most recent Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit application round.

In combination with recent application rounds, GCFC has booked 19 productions with total combined budgets of $208,567,405 to choose to film in Northeast Ohio in 2024, including the recently wrapped high-profile Warner Bros. and Disney movies.

As a result of the GCFC’s advocacy and attraction efforts, those two productions directly spent a combined $77,572,289 in Northeast Ohio in 2024, hired hundreds of crew, engaged with hundreds of local businesses, and booked 30,966 hotel room nights (over $4.5 million spent).

This is new investment flowing into Ohio, spending at Ohio vendors, and creating jobs in Ohio. GCFC lays the groundwork for months, if not years, in advance of filming, directly leading to new production investment and jobs.

The projects set to receive support during the second round of OMPTC awards include:

Feature Films

  • Breaking Up with Mom and Dad, Cincinnati, $6,117,813
  • Carousel, Northeast, $354,726.30
  • Epiphany, Cincinnati, $10,749,914.70
  • Furever Home, Southwest, $1,053,879.60
  • Help Me, Hamilton/Cincinnati, $403,744.20
  • Kickin’ It, Cleveland, $1,244,955
  • My Mother the Madam, Columbus, $101,448.30
  • Privilege, Northeast, $1,045,101.90
  • Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries, Sugarcreek, $169,329.90
  • Syndicate, Cleveland, $4,683,066.38
  • The Bulldogs, Central/Northeast, $170,419.20
  • The Last December, Toledo, $1,354,156.50
  • The Mastermind, Cincinnati, $4,053,423
  • Water’s Edge, Southwest, $113,100

TV Series

  • AEW 2024-2025 Productions, Cleveland/TBD, $1,275,000
  • Columbus Quartet (Mini-series), Central Ohio, $3,369,019.80

Broadway/Theatrical Productions

  • Tina, The Tina Turner Musical, Springfield/Northeast Ohio, $454,785.90

Visit ClevelandFilm.com for the latest Northeast Ohio motion picture industry news, training resources, job opportunities, and local filmmaker support.

Cleveland’s Man of Steel Making National Headlines

SOURCE: Greater Cleveland Film Commission
July 29, 2024

Cleveland’s Man of Steel, aka Superman, has been making headlines both in Northeast Ohio and around the planet (see what we did there). Rumors of another superhero movie being filmed in Northeast Ohio began flying around in early 2024, and persisted through the summer. While WE know that Cleveland is the best place to film, when the production concluded filming in Northeast Ohio, director James Gunn made sure to express his gratitude for the city on his Instagram page.

Feature films, even ones with storylines originating in Cleveland, do not automatically choose to film in Cleveland. In fact, originally there were no plans to film this project in the Cleveland area.

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC) brings movies to our region with attractive film locations, a veteran crew base, and a record of successfully guiding productions through the filmmaking process. GCFC lays the groundwork for months if not years in advance of filming, directly leading to new production investment and local jobs.

GCFC’s work just drove $36,972,289 to be spent with local vendors and created hundreds of local jobs.

Become part of the movement to train the next generation of local film professionals and drive production investment like this to choose Northeast Ohio by becoming a GCFC Member today!

GCFC Members:

  • Make a difference – You are directly supporting initiatives that put local film professionals to work
  • Support local – Every production spends millions with local businesses, bringing jobs, and showcasing our region to the world
  • Exclusive benefits – GCFC Members enjoy benefits like FREE advance screenings of major motion picture before their official release, discounts on GCFC swag, & more!

BECOME A MEMBER Today 

Superheroes like YOU can ensure that Northeast Ohio remains a hub for film and media production, and continues to grow into the future. Your membership is more than just a contribution; it’s an investment in our community’s future.

We’ve done our best to compile all the sightings of Cleveland’s favorite hero in this list below:

Teamsters, Basic Crafts Reach Tentative Deal with Studios Just Before July 31 Contract Expiration | Deadline

Lindsay Dougherty, chief negotiator for Teamsters Local 399, at the Unity Rally Sunday on March 3, 2024. Lynette Rice/Deadline

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


SOURCE: Deadline | Dominic Patten
July 28, 2024

It was getting a little too close to the deadline for comfort, but the Teamsters and the studios have a deal.

After a long final sprint of talks that had more than a few executives and laborleaders on edge, Teamsters Local 399 announced just before midnight Saturday that the Hollywood Basic Crafts and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached an agreement.

A tentative agreement that is. A tentative agreement that sources on both sides confirm, but are keeping the details very close for now to the proverbial chest.

 

 

IATSE and Studios Reach Tentative Agreement on Area Standards Contract | The Hollywood Reporter

THR Illustration / Adobe Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter | Katie Kilkenny
June 27, 2024

Entertainment’s top crew union struck a tentative deal with Hollywood’s studios and streamers for a contract covering 23 Locals on Thursday, just two days after their West Coast peers did the same.

IATSE announced in a message to its members that a three-year successor deal to its Area Standards Agreement has been reached with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The agreement will need to be ratified by IATSE members — 20,000 of whom work under the deal — before it can take effect.

Significant improvements in the ASA tentative agreement include a scale wage rate increase of 7 percent, 4 percent, and 3.5 percent over the three-year term. The ASA also includes “additional regional wage adjustments and a uniform benefit contribution rate for all jurisdictions with significant increases in both health and retirement representing as much as a $63 increase per employee, per day in some areas.”