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Funding Allows Greater Columbus Film Commission to Travel to L.A.’s International Film Trade Show

in Press Releases July 25, 2013 2 min read

Columbus, Ohio – The first opportunity to make use of the new City of Columbus funding for the Greater Columbus Film Commission (Film Columbus) came at the end of June when a delegation of Film Columbus staff traveled to Los Angeles to pitch Columbus’ unique attributes as a film location. Thomas McClure, the executive director of the Greater Columbus Film Commission, Angella Smith, production coordinator and Christina Grozik, board president, traveled to LA for the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) conference and represented Columbus at the Ohio booth. The trip has already generated results. Two commercials have been shot in Columbus, and two other productions are considering filming here in the near future. “The AFCI Locations Show gave the Greater Columbus Film Commission a wonderful opportunity to be seen as a major city with amazing locations and filming benefits and the opportunity to meet with key industry decision-makers,” said McClure.  “This is only the start! We are grateful to City Council and Mayor Coleman for the amazing support they’ve given the film commission.” As part of the Columbus marketing package, McClure developed a slide show featuring photos of the diversity the Columbus area has to offer including specific points as to why selecting Columbus is an excellent option. Film company executives, location managers, writers and producers learned about the benefits of filming in Columbus. In addition to previously scheduled one-on-one meetings with producers interested in filming in Columbus, the delegation visited many of the other booths at the show to get an idea of what other cities and states were offering in the way of incentives and found that, with the exception of a couple of states that have an unlimited cap on their tax incentive program, on the whole, Ohio offers a very competitive tax incentive program. In June Columbus City Council awarded Film Columbus $100,000 to be administered by the Greater Columbus Arts Council.  Together Film Columbus and GCAC are working to increase the economic impact of film and other media productions in the Columbus area. About Film Columbus: The Greater Columbus Film Commission (Film Columbus) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Greater Columbus Area and Central Ohio as a prime filming destination while proudly serving as a central resource hub for the film industry. About the Greater Columbus Arts Council: Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, GCAC funds exemplary artists and arts organizations and provides programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community. GCAC thanks the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the Ohio Arts Council for their continued support.

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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein (614) 221-8492 jgoldstein@gcac.org