Louisville has recently been recognized as one of the top cities in North America for filmmakers, thanks to its growing film and entertainment industry. This recognition comes from Movie Maker Magazine, which recently released its list of "The Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker." The magazine evaluates cities based on several factors, including industry spending, tax incentives, available crews, sound stages, local film scenes, and recent productions. Additionally, they consider the cost of living and overall livability—whether someone could see themselves being happy there, buying a house, or enjoying the local food.
Louisville ranked number 16 out of 25 on the list, surpassing cities such as Portland, Oregon; Quebec City, Canada; and Honolulu, Hawaii. Santa Fe, New Mexico, took the top spot, followed by Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Providence, Rhode Island.
The article highlights some of Louisville’s recent film projects, including Gus Van Sant’s “Dead Man’s Wire,” where the city stood in for 1970s Indianapolis, and Alex Vlack’s feature directorial debut “The Revisionist,” starring Dustin Hoffman, Andre Holland, and Alison Brie.
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The Kentucky Film Office has appointed its first director to help grow the state’s film industry. Soozie Eastman, the Louisville Film Commissioner, shared her excitement about the growing opportunities in the city. “We are so excited that word is spreading about what we are growing here in Louisville,” she said. “Our talented crew base is able to live, work, and thrive right here in our creative community. We have people moving back to their Old Kentucky Home to work in film.”
Since 2022, nearly 270 film and television projects have received approval, with a total investment of $794.5 million. These projects have generated nearly 27,000 jobs in Kentucky. The state offers a cash-back incentive of up to 35%, which has attracted many productions. The mild four-season climate and diverse locations also make Louisville an attractive filming destination.
“Productions are drawn to Louisville’s wide range of locations, mild four-season climate, and cash-back incentive, which goes up to 35%,” Molloy states in the Top 25 list. “State-of-the-art local theater Speed Cinema, known for curating visionary films, hosts the Flyover Film Festival, which just celebrated its 15th year.”
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Another notable development is the nationwide release of “Dead Man’s Wire,” which was shot in Louisville. The film has brought attention to the city’s potential as a filming location.
In addition, Movie Maker Magazine praised the innovation and growth of the Louisville film scene. The Kentucky College of Art and Design launched a new film degree this year, while the Louisville Film Office and local non-profit 502 Film conduct workforce development and production assistant training programs and workshops.
Eastman, a Kentucky native who left home more than a decade ago to pursue her own movie-making dreams in Los Angeles, returned to Louisville for many of the same reasons mentioned in the article. As the Louisville Film Commissioner, part of her role is to encourage others in the industry to take a look at all the Commonwealth has to offer, both as a location for projects and a place to call home.
“We have filmmakers considering Louisville as the best move for their future. From film degree programs, incubators and workshops launching the next generation of visual storytellers to our hugely supportive creative community, Louisville is an affordable, stable and attractive place for filmmakers to work, grow and thrive,” Eastman said. “It’s not only our state’s generous film incentive program that sets us apart from other cities, but the culture of Louisville where every voice and vision has a place to call home.”