Ohio Awards More Than $4.8 Million in Film Tax Credits to Seven Productions

Ohio is continuing its push to become a competitive production destination, awarding more than $4.8 million in tax credits to seven film, television and theatrical projects.

Ohio is making another investment in its growing entertainment-production industry.

The Ohio Department of Development has announced more than $4.8 million in Motion Picture Tax Credits for seven productions scheduled to take place across the state. The latest awards cover feature films, television series and Broadway theatrical productions and are expected to generate more than $14.8 million in economic activity for Ohio. (Ohio Development Services Agency)

The awards represent another step in Ohio’s effort to attract productions while developing a permanent workforce and expanding the state’s production infrastructure.

Seven Productions Receive Ohio Film Incentives

The latest round of awards includes two feature films, three television productions and two theatrical projects.

Among the projects receiving support are productions based in Cleveland, Canton, Columbus, Berlin, Springfield and Toledo.

The feature-film recipients include Friday Knights of the 80s, filming in Cleveland, and Raid Pacific, also based in Cleveland.

The television projects receiving incentives include Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Season 2 – Part 2, based in Canton; Suddenly Amish S2, based in Berlin; and Zombie House Flipping: Family, based in Columbus.

Two theatrical productions were also included in the latest awards: The Wiz, receiving support for its Springfield production activity, and The Bodyguard, receiving an award connected to production in Toledo. (WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio)

Ohio Projects Expected to Create More Than 100 Jobs

The state’s investment is designed to produce economic benefits beyond the productions themselves.

According to the Ohio Department of Development, the seven projects are expected to create approximately 104 new jobs and generate more than $7.9 million in payroll.

The state estimates the projects will produce more than $14.8 million in total economic impact. (Ohio Development Services Agency)

For local production communities, that spending can extend well beyond cast and crew.

Film and television productions typically hire local workers and vendors for transportation, catering, construction, locations, equipment, lodging, security, accounting and other production-related services.

That makes production incentives an important economic-development tool for states competing for entertainment projects.

How Ohio’s Motion Picture Tax Credit Works

Ohio established its Motion Picture Tax Credit program in 2009 as part of an effort to develop a stronger film and television production industry within the state.

Qualifying productions can receive a refundable tax credit of up to 30% on eligible cast and crew wages and other qualifying in-state production expenditures. (WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio)

Projects generally must meet state eligibility requirements, including minimum in-state spending.

For example, the Greater Columbus Film Commission notes that eligible productions must generally spend at least $300,000 in Ohio to qualify for the state’s Motion Picture Tax Credit. (Film Columbus)

The program therefore provides producers with a financial incentive while encouraging productions to spend money with Ohio workers and businesses.

Why Ohio Is Competing for Film Production

Ohio may not have historically been viewed as one of America’s primary production hubs, but the state has several characteristics that make it attractive to filmmakers.

The state offers a wide variety of locations, including major urban centers, small towns, historic neighborhoods, industrial environments and rural landscapes.

Ohio has also served as a filming location for well-known productions over the years, helping build recognition for the state as a viable alternative to traditional production markets.

The growth of production incentives across the United States has made those financial programs increasingly important when producers compare potential filming locations.

A production may evaluate several states based on tax incentives, crew availability, stages, locations, infrastructure, travel costs and local vendor support before deciding where to shoot.

Film Incentives Are Becoming More Competitive Nationwide

Ohio’s latest awards come at a time when states across the country are competing aggressively for film and television production.

California has expanded its annual film and television incentive allocation, while states including Texas, Illinois, New Mexico, Georgia and New Jersey continue to offer significant production incentives. (Entertainment Partners)

That competition is changing how producers approach location scouting and budgeting.

Rather than simply choosing the location that best matches the script, production companies increasingly analyze the net cost of production after incentives.

A state with a strong incentive program can potentially offset enough qualified spending to make a location financially competitive with a larger production center.

What the Ohio Incentive Means for Producers

For independent producers, Ohio’s program could be particularly useful for projects with substantial qualifying in-state expenditures.

A production considering Ohio may be able to combine the state’s incentive with other financial and logistical advantages, including lower location costs and access to local production workers.

However, producers need to evaluate the program during the earliest stages of budgeting.

Eligibility requirements, application timing, qualified expenditures, financing commitments and documentation can all affect whether a production ultimately receives an incentive.

Ohio has also implemented changes designed to make sure awarded projects are sufficiently prepared to move forward. Recent changes to the state’s program include a requirement for an investment-intent letter demonstrating that at least 50% of a production’s budget is committed. (Cavitch Law)

For producers, that means incentive planning should be part of the financing strategy—not something addressed after a production has already selected its location.

Ohio Continues Building Its Production Industry

The latest $4.8 million award announcement follows previous rounds of significant state investment in film and television.

In November 2025, Ohio announced more than $17 million in tax credits for four productions, including three feature films and a television series. Those projects were projected to create approximately 115 new jobs and generate more than $59 million in eligible production expenditures. (Cleveland Film Commission)

The continued awards demonstrate that Ohio is pursuing a long-term strategy rather than treating individual productions as isolated economic-development opportunities.

The broader objective is to establish a sustainable production ecosystem—one that includes experienced crews, vendors, facilities, locations and businesses capable of supporting productions year after year.

What Comes Next for Ohio Film Production?

Ohio’s latest incentive awards are another indication that competition among states for film and television production is intensifying.

For producers, the growing number of incentive programs means location decisions increasingly require a combination of creative, logistical and financial analysis.

Ohio’s combination of production incentives, diverse locations and expanding industry infrastructure could make it an increasingly attractive option for feature films, television series and other entertainment productions.

As more projects take advantage of the state’s program, the long-term question will be whether Ohio can convert individual productions into a permanent production economy capable of supporting crews and businesses between major projects.

For now, the latest awards provide another boost to Ohio’s film industry—and another reason for producers to put the state on their production-location shortlist.

Follow our Film Industry and Production Incentives coverage for updates on Ohio, state film tax credits and the latest opportunities for producers and filmmakers across the United States.