Salt Lake City — The Utah Film Commission announced the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) Board approval of 13 new productions for state film incentives, generating an estimated economic impact of $142.5 million with approximately 90 percent to occur in rural Utah.
The productions are a mix of feature films and episodic series that will be distributed on various platforms, including Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, FX/Hulu, Nickelodeon, Paramount+, and for theatrical release. Among the approved productions is Kevin Costner’s period Western, Horizon: An American Saga; Joy to the World, a new feature from Jerusha Hess, co-writer of Napoleon Dynamite; and a new untitled limited series from Taylor Sheridan, creator of Yellowstone. All approved projects plan to begin production this summer, and filming locations are still being finalized.
In 2022, the Utah Legislature voted to increase the state’s film industry competitiveness and encourage film production in rural communities. “With the new targeted rural film tax credit, a ready workforce, and a business-friendly climate, Utah will introduce the film industry to new communities while supporting Gov. Cox’s goal of expanding economic opportunities throughout the state,” says Dan Hemmert, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity.
The film industry is unique because it brings immediate economic impact to communities with minimal infrastructure. “Our film industry has had great success over the years. We’ve seen increased interest for filming in Utah from filmmakers and rural community stakeholders,” says Virginia Pearce, director of the Utah Film Commission, a Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity initiative. “This new rural film incentive allows Utah to attract more film production and remain competitive.”
Below is a list of approved productions (in alphabetical order):
Alma Richards: Raising the Bar
Estimated Utah Spend: $879,108Distribution: IndependentLocations: Utah CountyCub Scout
Estimated Utah Spend: $1,107,114Distribution: TBDLocations: Sanpete CountyThe Chosen: Season 3
Estimated Utah Spend: $1,400,327Distribution: Self-DistributedLocations: Utah CountyDark Highway
Estimated Utah Spend: $4,004,367Distribution: IndependentLocations: Emery County, Juab County, San Juan CountyHondo
Estimated Utah Spend: $10,271,416Distribution: Amazon Prime VideoLocations: Tooele CountyHorizon: An American Saga
Estimated Utah Spend: $53,925,008Distribution: TBDLocations: Emery County, Grand County, Kane County, San Juan County, Washington CountyJoy To The World
Estimated Utah Spend: $8,300,000Distribution: TBDLocations: TBDRecipe For Love
Estimated Utah Spend: $328,268Distribution: IndependentLocations: Salt Lake County, Utah CountyRetreat: Season 1
Estimated Utah Spend: $1,407,920Distribution: FX/HuluLocations: Emery County, Grand County, Tooele CountyThe Streak
Estimated Utah Spend: $183,500Distribution: IndependentLocations: Salt Lake County, Weber CountyUnnamed Green Beans ShowEstimated Utah Spend: $10,700,000Distribution: Apple TV+Locations: TBDUntitled Movie
Budget: $9,966,336Distribution: NickelodeonLocations: TBDUntitled Taylor Sheridan Series
Estimated Utah Spend: $40,000,000Distribution: Paramount +Locations: Summit County, Wasatch CountyAbout the Utah Film Commission
An initiative of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, the Utah Film Commission markets the entire state as a destination for film, television, and commercial production by promoting the use of professional local crew and talent, support services, Utah locations, and the Motion Picture Incentive Program. The office also serves as a liaison to the film industry, facilitating production needs across the state.
Thousands of productions have been filmed in Utah, including Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, Thelma & Louise, and 127 Hours, to name only a few. Many episodic series have also been filmed in Utah, such as Yellowstone, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and Westworld.
For more information, visit film.utah.gov.