Ohio has become an attractive location for filmmakers, offering diverse urban landscapes in cities like Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, along with scenic backdrops for historical and period pieces in regions like Hocking Hills and Amish Country. The state also offers financial incentives like the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit to attract productions. A skilled workforce with a variety of behind-the-scenes and on-camera talent is icing on the cake.
As Ohio’s presence on the big screen expands, so does the potential for film tourism — drawing visitors eager to explore the real-life locations behind their favorite movies and the hometowns of famous Ohioans. The Buckeye State stands proudly among cinematic destinations like Montana (“Yellowstone”), Hawaii, New Mexico (“Breaking Bad”), Massachusetts (“Hocus Pocus”), California, Georgia
(“The Walking Dead”) and New York, to name a few.
“When we translate what’s on screen into bookable experiences, we turn fans into guests and guests into regulars. The film is the hook; our creativity does the heavy lifting. We design moments, raise awareness and invite people to visit again and again. When we do that consistently, the credits roll right into economic impact,” said Melinda Huntley, executive director, Ohio Travel Association.
“Whether the camera rolled last week or decades ago, our Ohio advantage is creative place-making that lets fans step into the scene. That means practical touches such as markers, storytelling exhibits and guides who know where the dolly track ran, or perhaps they were extras. It means exciting content and programming that invite people to visit and linger,” she said.
Ohio Goes to the Movies has enhanced the impact of Ohio’s film tourism by putting a spotlight on the state’s many connections to moviemaking. A recent Ohio Travel Association report to members outlined the opportunity presented by OGTTM:
Thus far, nearly 250 events are set in all 88 counties, with a kickoff on February 11 in the hometown (Milan) of Thomas Alva Edison, who gave us the first motion picture camera and first film studio, among other things. Events are being organized in all sorts of venues, from elaborate historic theatres to drive-in theatres and lawns. But their goals are the same: bringing people together to celebrate and learn about Ohio’s impact on the film industry.
“Why does it matter? Movies are a universally accessible on-ramp — low barrier, high nostalgia and perfect for cross-promotion with Main Streets, libraries, museums and historic theaters. The statewide footprint (of Ohio Goes to the Movies) means every county can ’own’ a moment, while the database and magazine create continuity,” said Huntley.
The campaign hub at ohiogoestothemovies.org houses content, media highlights and the Ohio Movie Database, giving communities a turnkey way to identify the stories in their backyards.