Link to introduction video for AFCI in Cincinnati 2025:
https://youtu.be/_9LgribklWI?si=zYdCPegtQj0D0Ied
Cincinnati Selected to Hold Prestigious Global Film Conference
2025 AFCI Cineposium and 50th Anniversary Celebration to be held in 2025
CINCINNATI (October 3, 2024) -- Film Cincinnati announced today that Cincinnati has been chosen to host for the Association of Film Commissions International (AFCI) Cineposium and the organization’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 2025. Cincinnati joins such cities as Bogota, Colombia, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Los Angeles who have served as hosts for the global event.
In light of unprecedented challenges in the industry, including strikes and production delays, Film Cincinnati has sought innovative ways to diversify the film industry’s economic impact. As a nonprofit economic development agency, Film Cincinnati’s mission is to create and cultivate the local industry ecosystem and develop a robust workforce.
“We believe it is crucial to explore all possibilities beyond traditional film," said Kristen Schlotman, President/CEO of Film Cincinnati. “What better way to show what our region has to offer than to bring the leaders of the global film industry to our area.”
“As we mark AFCI’s 50th anniversary, we are energized to unite our global membership with industry powerhouses in Cincinnati for this milestone event,” said Jaclyn Philpott, AFCI executive director. “This celebration is not just about honoring our past, but about igniting new collaborations between film commissions and the industry at large.
“Cincinnati’s reputation in the film industry sets the stage for AFCI Cineposium 2025 to be a dynamic forum for shaping the future of global film production,” Philpott continued, “and we look forward to partnering with Film Cincinnati to deliver an impactful and unforgettable experience.”
“We are honored to have the leading association of film commissions in the world coming to Cincinnati,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, meetNKY President and CEO. “Film Cincinnati has made our area a desired location to shoot movies and it is exciting to have the industry’s leading decision makers come see what we have to offer.”
With the AFCI's return to North America, Film Cincinnati will have the opportunity to showcase Cincinnati to a global audience. Following the successful bid, Cincinnati will host industry professionals from around the world in September 2025 for a conference and celebration. The conference will also be open to interested parties outside of the association.
Registration for the 2025 event will open at a later date to be announced.
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About Film Cincinnati
Founded in 1987 and incorporated in 1991 as the one of the first non-profit film commission in America, Film Cincinnati is the not-for-profit organization that works to promote Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky as a destination for film, commercial, and television production.
In 2023, Film Cincinnati commissioned an updated Economic Impact Study with the UC Economics Center resulting in a total economic impact of $258 million dollars and 1,873 jobs between 2019 and 2022. Ohio awarded approximately $53.6 million in Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credits to 25 productions filmed in the Cincinnati Region during this period. Between 2019 and 2022, 25 productions, a mix of feature films and television shows, received tax credits from the State of Ohio and were filmed in the Cincinnati region. These productions were evaluated to determine the economic impact and leveraging ability for each fiscal year, respectively.
For the Cincinnati regional economy, every dollar that went to the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit program was recovered in tax credits awarded to Cincinnati-based productions plus an additional $1.17 on average. Direct new spending in the local economy resulting from productions is on average $6.54 for every dollar in state tax revenue generated in the Cincinnati MSA. In 2022, Cincinnati experienced the greatest leveraging of State awarded Motion Picture Tax Credits as Cincinnati contributed an estimated $6.2 million in State sales tax revenues for the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit program, which in turn created $72.8 million in direct spending. This means that for every dollar awarded as an Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit resulted in $11.77 in direct new spending in the Cincinnati Region in 2022. Visit filmcincinnati.com to learn more.
Bio: Kristen Schlotman, President/CEO, Film Cincinnati
Kristen Schlotman is President/CEO of Film Cincinnati. Schlotman began her tenure with the commission in 1997. Since taking on the role, Schlotman has positioned the Cincinnati region as a world-class destination for production and is credited with cultivating the burgeoning film ecosystem within the state and region. Schlotman’s efforts have created a billion-dollar industry for the state of Ohio and is responsible for getting Cincinnati on Moviemaker Magazine’s list of top places to live and work in the film industry for the past six consecutive years. Most recently, Cincinnati hosted the productions of “The Wise Guys” starring Robert DeNiro and “The Bikeriders” starring Tom Hardy and Austin Butler. When Schlotman is not assisting with productions or marketing Cincinnati to Hollywood, she can be found leading the charge in the expansion of both Ohio and Kentucky’s Motion Picture Tax Credits. Schlotman is recognized as the leader in broadening Cincinnati’s production portfolio and laying the foundation for a sustainable production industry in Ohio by implementing some of the best tax incentives worldwide. Schlotman is directly tied to the implementation of thousands of jobs for Ohioans, siphoning hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue to the city, and generating a wave of local pride through the creation of film.
About AFCI
Established in 1975, the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) stands as the only global non-profit professional organization (501c3) representing city, state, regional, provincial, and national film commission members across six continents. AFCI champions advocacy, connectivity, and education, empowering film commissions and industry stakeholders to drive economic growth, build robust infrastructure, and advance professional development. Additionally, AFCI provides essential guidance to emerging regions that are interested in establishing a film commission aligned with the recognized standards for a film office. Learn more at www.afci.org
