Salt Lake City—Today, the Utah Film Commission announced the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity Board approval of two new productions for state film incentives, generating an estimated economic impact of $5.3 million and over 875 new jobs.

Director Jeff Fisher returns to Utah with a new thriller, “The Stranger in My Home” which was approved for the Rural Film Incentive Program. Fisher previously directed “The Image of You” starring Mira Sorvino, Nestor Carbonell and Sasha Pieterse which filmed in Utah in 2023. “I have been grateful to discover talented local crew, actors, and beautiful locations,” said Fisher. “Utah would be the ideal place to help tell this story.” 

Local filmmakers Maclain Nelson and David Wulf (“Haul Out the Holly”) team up again for “Branching Out” a new Hallmark Channel feature film approved for the Motion Picture Incentive Program and scheduled to begin filming this month. 

“We are encouraged to see Utah’s film industry rebounding after the prolonged WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes that halted over a dozen productions in Utah throughout 2023,” said Virginia Pearce, Utah Film Commission Director. “These new productions will provide much needed jobs for Utah crews and business for vendors across the state.”

About the Utah Film Commission

As part 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. Formed in 1974, the Utah Film Commission celebrates its 50th anniversary, as well as 100 years of Utah Film & Television in 2024.

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.”