SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Film Commission announced the Utah Board of Tourism Development approval of six new productions for state film incentives, generating an estimated economic impact of $7.1 million and over 400 new jobs filming in Davis, Salt Lake, Grand, Salt Lake, Uintah, Utah, and Wasatch counties.

“Gabriella,” a new family film from local filmmaker Rob Diamond was approved for a Utah Community Film Incentive. “I love filming in Utah. I’ve been making movies here for 25 years,” commented Diamond. “It has some of the most beautiful locations in the world and the cast and crew are top notch. I plan on making movies here for many years to come.”

A new comedy feature, “Halloween Pizza Party” from a local filmmaking team was approved for a Utah Community Film Incentive. “’Halloween Pizza Party’ had to be filmed in Utah—the gorgeous fall colors, crisp autumn air, and welcoming suburban neighborhoods perfectly capture the nostalgic chaos of Halloween night,” said Director Brandon Carraway. “Our producers grew up here and have built their careers in Utah’s film industry. They know firsthand how special this state is and why it’s the ideal backdrop for our story.” The production will be filming in and around Salt Lake, Utah, and Wasatch counties.

Season 5 of the popular Discovery Channel series, “Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch” was approved for a Rural Utah Film Incentive and will be filming in and around Uintah County.

Season 2 of “Navajo Highways” from Director Pete Sands was approved for a Utah Motion Picture Incentive. This educational children’s television series teaches Navajo culture, traditions, and language and will be filming in Grand and Salt Lake counties. Season 1 is currently streaming on First Nations Experience (FNX).

The thriller “Slay Day” was approved for a Utah Motion Picture Incentive. “‘Slay Day’ found a perfect home in Utah,” said Director John David Buxton. “We knew Utah would be an amazing fit from a location’s standpoint, but the quality and experience of the local team we’re assembling exceeds my wildest dreams. Combined with the strong and straightforward incentive, it was an easy choice for us.” The production will be filming around Salt Lake County.

A new independent feature, “Strasbourg,” from local filmmaker Jake Van Wagoner (“Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out”, “Studio C”) was approved for a Utah Community Film Incentive. The WWII drama will be filming in and around Summit and Wasatch counties.

About the Utah Film Commission

As part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, the Utah Film Commission formed in 1974 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 “Forrest Gump,” 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.