I moved to Louisville from DC many years ago, and like most, I had some preconceived notions about Kentucky (c'mon... You've all heard the jokes). However, nestled along the Ohio River, Metro Louisville is a brilliant city with unique southern charm, and nearly every amenity you could ask for... Even if you're shooting a movie!
Yes, that's right... Louisville was recently voted one of the top 25 cities in America to live and work as a filmmaker. We have a bustling film community, our professional resources are growing by leaps and bounds, and our professional crews have helped usher in some of the best movies of the last decade (Dead Man's Wire, Killers of the Flower Moon, Beauty Mark, to name a few). Our locations are extremely diverse (rolling hills, mountains, farmland, big cityscapes, caverns, and ancient cave systems, and you can get here from almost anywhere in under a day. Plus, you can still buy a house without severing limbs or giving away your firstborn child.
And then... there's the tax incentive program. With $70M set aside by the State Assembly to entice filmmakers to produce films in KY (rumors of an increase for 2027), and up to 35% on qualified expenditures, Kentucky is quickly becoming a hotbed for production.
Having just recently gone through the qualification process for my next film, I can say it is fairly simple and straightforward. It necessitates having your ducks in a row, but it should... And you should.
To be fully transparent, no one has offered me any compensation to write this. I just love living and working in my adopted home, and with what the Commonwealth has to offer for filmmakers, I think it should be on your list.
Want to learn more? Visit the Film 502 website, where my friend Soozie Eastman gives all the important details: https://filmlouisville.org/incentivevideo
You can also visit the Team Kentucky website at: https://newkentuckyhome.ky.gov/Locating_Expanding/KEI
Then... Let me know what you think about bringing your next production to The Bluegrass!
I love to learn about new cities/locations becoming filming centres. Thanks for the post, Michael Fitzer, Mfa
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Michael Fitzer, Mfa Very good to hear your enthusiasm for Kentucky filming. I've likewise heard great things about shooting there with producer colleagues extolling the advantages and opportunities. It sounds like it is growing steadily in work and facilities. Thanks for sharing.