Film Cincinnati

What Film Cincinnati does

Film Cincinnati, also known as the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Film Commission, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in 1987 and headquartered at 1106 Race Street in Cincinnati, Ohio. The organization operates as a regional film commission dedicated to attracting, promoting, and cultivating film, television, and commercial production throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. It is governed by a Board of Directors (approximately 11 members) and staffed by a small professional team of fewer than 10 employees led by President/CEO Kristen Schlotman, who has led the organization for 20 years and serviced over 50 motion pictures in the region.

The organization's core service offering comprises four integrated lines: (1) location scouting using an extensive photographed regional database organized by type and style; (2) the Crew Cincinnati database, a searchable roster of local film crew organized by department with union affiliations; (3) tax incentive consultation supporting access to Ohio and Kentucky's 30% refundable Motion Picture Tax Credits, which Film Cincinnati helped advocate into law in 2010-2011; and (4) end-to-end production coordination including permitting, COVID-19 safety protocols via TriHealth and Gravity Diagnostics partnerships, and hospitality connections. Supplementary programs include workforce development seminars, the annual Backlot gala, the Conversation With... speaker series, and an online merchandise storefront.

Film Cincinnati's business model is donation-funded non-profit economics. Services to productions are provided at no charge. Revenue streams include charitable donations from companies and individuals, corporate sponsorships and foundation grants (Haile Foundation, McLane Foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Kroger, and other regional businesses), event-based fundraising (Backlot gala and the 2025 George Clooney event welcoming AFCI's Cineposium), and merchandise sales (hoodies, t-shirts, caps, totes, etc.). During COVID-19 the organization raised $30,000 for crew relief. The customer base is episodic and project-based, with marquee productions including Netflix's Hillbilly Elegy, Hulu's Shirley, The Bikeriders, Bones and All, and Dark Waters, with annual production-driven economic impact of $150M+ in strong years.

Name

Film Cincinnati

Legal name

Film Cincinnati

Website

https://filmcincinnati.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Film Cincinnati is a 501(c)(3) non-profit regional film commission serving Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, providing free production support (location scouting, crew database, tax incentive consulting, and production coordination) to attract film, television, and commercial projects to the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Film Commission Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)

SIC

Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)

akta.pro primary industry

Locations Services (Scouting, Permits, Management) (MPADAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Studios, Stages & Location Services (Facilities, Location Scouting/Permits) (MPAAAMAG), On-Lot Location Services & Permitting Coordination (MPADAIAG)

Keywords

• Regional film commission
• Film production services
• Tax incentive consulting
• Location scouting services
• Crew coordination database

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, Film Cincinnati accepts tax-deductible charitable donations from companies and individuals. Monies collected are used for development of Film Cincinnati programs, advocacy, promotional events, and supporting local film production growth.
2. Merchandise Sales: Film Cincinnati sells branded merchandise including hoodies, wine totes, puffer jackets, beanies, t-shirts, henleys, caps, and tote bags through their online shop. Proceeds support the organization's mission and crew relief programs.
3. Corporate Sponsorships and Foundation Grants: Film Cincinnati receives support from corporate sponsors and foundations including Greater Cincinnati Foundation, McLane Foundation, Haile Foundation, Kroger, and other regional businesses.
4. Event Fundraising: The organization hosts annual fundraising events like the Backlot gala, with ticket sales contributing to revenue. George Clooney fundraiser event planned for 2025 to welcome AFCI's Cineposium.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Film Cincinnati is a not-for-profit regional film commission that provides free production support services to attract, promote, and cultivate film, television, and commercial production in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. Core services include location scouting using an extensive photographed regional location database, a searchable Crew Cincinnati database connecting productions with qualified local talent across departments, tax incentive consultation for Ohio and Kentucky's 30% refundable Motion Picture Tax Credits, and end-to-end production coordination covering permits, location agreements, crew coordination, COVID-19 safety protocols, and hospitality connections.

Product overview

Film Cincinnati is a not-for-profit regional film commission offering a comprehensive suite of services to attract, promote, and cultivate film, television, and commercial production in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The organization operates as a single unified service rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Core offerings include location scouting services (using an extensive photographed database of regional locations organized by type and style), a crew database connecting productions with qualified local talent across all film departments, tax incentive consultation for Ohio and Kentucky's 30% Motion Picture Tax Credits, and full production coordination including permits, COVID-19 safety protocols, and hospitality connections. Supplementary programs include workforce development seminars, an annual Backlot fundraiser event, the Conversation With... speaker series, and a merchandise store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Location Scouting Services Comprehensive location scouting services for film, television, and commercial productions, using an extensive photographed database of regional locations organized by type and sub-category to match scripts to physical settings across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
• Crew Cincinnati Database A searchable online roster of Cincinnati-based film crew organized by department (accounting, animals, art, camera, casting, editing, electric, grip, hair, makeup, production, sound, etc.) including contact information and union affiliations for productions to crew-up their projects in the region.
• Tax Incentive Consultation Assistance and consultation for productions pursuing the Ohio and Kentucky Motion Picture Tax Credits, providing a 30% refundable tax credit on qualifying productions for both above and below the line expenses with no cap per project.
• Production Coordination End-to-end production support for visiting film, television, and commercial productions including permits, location agreements, crew coordination, COVID-19 safety protocols in partnership with TriHealth Event Medicine and Gravity Diagnostics, and connections to local hospitality services.
• Film Cincinnati Merchandise Store Online e-commerce storefront selling branded Film Cincinnati merchandise including hoodies, wine totes, puffer jackets, beanies, t-shirts, henleys, caps, and tote bags, with proceeds supporting the commission's mission and crew relief programs.
• Backlot Fundraiser Event Annual street-party fundraiser event featuring red carpet entrance, working soundstage/backlot experiences, food, entertainment, and VIP experiences, designed to celebrate the local film industry and raise funds for Film Cincinnati programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• $3.09 return on investment for every dollar contributed to the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• TriHealth Event MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership spanning over 10 years where TriHealth provides state-of-the-art health care to visiting production cast and crew members. During the pandemic, TriHealth worked with Film Cincinnati to implement COVID-19 health and safety protocols, testing, contact tracing, and vaccine coordination for productions.
• Gravity DiagnosticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLIA laboratory based in Covington, Kentucky providing COVID-19 testing for film productions. Has performed over 2 million tests with industry-leading turnaround times. Partnership enabled safe filming during pandemic with over 5,000 tests performed for Bones and All production with zero positive cases.
• Ohio Film OfficecoreOthersState film office administering the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit providing 30% refundable tax credits for qualifying productions.
• Kentucky Film OfficecoreOthersState film office for Northern Kentucky operations, also offering 30% refundable tax credits for qualifying productions.
• SAG-AFTRAcoreOthersLocal union office contact provided (Brian Lysell, Executive Director) for actors and performers. Pittsburgh-based office servicing the Ohio/Pittsburgh region.
• IATSE Local 209coreOthersInternational Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees local union for stagehands and technicians in the Cleveland/Cincinnati region.
• Teamsters Local 100coreOthersTeamsters union local covering transportation and driving jobs for film productions in the Cincinnati area.
• University of CincinnatisupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity creating curriculum where students can learn and cultivate their passion and talent prior to entering the film industry. Film Cincinnati has internship program with UC students.
• Northern Kentucky UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner creating film industry curriculum. NKU students have participated in Film Cincinnati internship program.
• City of CincinnaticoreOthersCity government including Mayor and Council members who assist in coordinating each production with professionalism and thoughtfulness for the community.
• ArtsWavesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts organization partnered with Film Cincinnati, supporting local art and culture. Collaborated on intern projects.
• 3CDC (Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment corporation that assists Film Cincinnati with location scouting and opening doors for productions.
• Gameday CommunicationssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partner that tells Film Cincinnati's story and shares it widely with audiences.
• Brave BerlinsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBranding and creative agency partner (of Lumenocity and Blink fame) that helped with Film Cincinnati branding, Backlot event activations, and making Cincinnati visible to residents.
• EnterprisesupportingOthersTransportation company providing vehicle support for productions and supporting Film Cincinnati organization.
• Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCCVB)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConvention and visitors bureau that assists in landing motion pictures by providing hospitality support.
• NKY CVB (Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorthern Kentucky tourism bureau that assists productions with hospitality needs and accommodations.
• AFCI (Association of Film Commissioners International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational film commission association that Film Cincinnati is a member of. Hosting AFCI's 48th Cineposium in 2025.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI): The international trade association of which Film Cincinnati is a member. Industry body that sets standards, hosts the Cineposium, and represents the global network of film commissions — Film Cincinnati is hosting AFCI's 48th Cineposium in 2025.

Direct peers

• Chicago Film Office: Municipal film office providing permits, location assistance, and production support in Chicago. A direct Midwest peer with a comparable mandate and significantly larger production volume, frequently ranked alongside Cincinnati on MovieMaker's list.
• Film North (formerly the Minnesota Film Board): Minnesota's state-level film office administering production incentives and location services. A functionally equivalent state-level peer for incentive-driven production attraction in the U.S. Midwest.
• Georgia Film Office: State-level film office administering Georgia's 30% transferable tax credit, which has made Georgia the dominant U.S. production hub. Directly comparable in incentive-driven attraction model and competition with Ohio/Cincinnati for productions.
• FilmLA: The official film office for Los Angeles, providing permitting, location scouting, and production coordination services. It is the largest and most established regional film commission in the U.S. and the most direct functional peer to Film Cincinnati.
• Pittsburgh Film Office: Regional film commission serving the greater Pittsburgh area. Operates a similar model of incentive advocacy, location scouting, and crew coordination, and competes for productions in the broader Ohio Valley / Mid-Atlantic region.
• Louisiana Film Office: State film commission offering Louisiana's Motion Picture Production Tax Credit (up to 40%). Operates a similar regional film commission model focused on tax-incentive-driven production attraction, making it a direct competitor for inbound productions.
• New York State Film Office: Administers New York's 30% (and 40% for upstate) film tax credit program. A direct competitor for major productions and comparable in mission to attract productions via incentives, crew database, and location services.

Regional players

• Greater Cleveland Film Commission: Regional film commission serving Northeast Ohio. It is the most direct intra-state peer to Film Cincinnati, competing for Ohio-based productions and crew, and explicitly identified in the data as the other top Ohio filmmaking city.
• Film Columbus: Regional film commission serving central Ohio and the Columbus market. Another Ohio-based peer that competes with Cincinnati for productions operating under the same state tax credit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/filmcincinnati
• Facebookfacebook.com/filmcincinnati
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/film-cincinnati

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Film Cincinnati