Greater Columbus Film Commission

05/05/2026

Last month, Film Columbus hosted a private screening of FreeLance, a comedy pilot from Columbus filmmakers Julien and Justen Turner of Dreadhead Films, at Gateway Film Center. The response was strong, and the work has continued to gain traction on a national level.

In addition to the Columbus screening, FreeLance had its world premiere at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, one of the globe’s most important stages for film and TV. The pilot was also selected for the Cleveland International Film Festival and the Atlanta Film Festival. The pilot is also heading to SeriesFest SeriesFest in Denver and the ATX TV Festival in Austin (https://www.indiewire.com/news/festivals/atx-tv-festival-mark-duplass-indie-tv-pilot-competition-1235166456/), two of the most competitive venues in the country for independent television.

Film Columbus is proud to support the talent that is building this industry right here at home. Congratulations to Julien, Justen, and the entire FreeLance team.

04/21/2026

Ten years of stories. And we are just getting started.

Film Columbus and the Columbus College of Art and Design are proud to mark a decade of the Teen Screenwriting Competition, and there is still time to be part of it. We held our first workshop this past Saturday, and spots are still open for this weekend's session.

If you know a young person between 13 and 18 in Franklin County or the surrounding area who has a story to tell, this is their opportunity to learn the craft of screenwriting from people who are building this industry right here in Columbus.
Registration closes Friday, April 24 at 5pm. Sign up at: https://forms.gle/stagPzFPVCVWJ6nx8

To read our press release, go here: https://www.filmcolumbus.com/2026screewritingcompetition/

Are you a local teen who loves movies? Join Film Columbus and Columbus College of Art & Design to learn how to write a screenplay! The 2026 Film Columbus Teen Screenwriting Competition is a FREE, two-part workshop for teens ages 13-18, led by CCAD’s Chair of Film & Video, Kingsley Nyarko. This opp...

04/15/2026

Columbus is on the map again.

Outside of Cleveland, a new fantasy dramedy written and directed by Columbus native Colin West, has officially wrapped production. The film stars Alex Wolff (Hereditary), Jim Gaffigan, Brooklynn Prince (The Florida Project), and Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead), and was shot right here in Columbus by a team with deep roots in this city.

This is the second feature from West and producer Chad Simpson's Brain Scratch Productions, following their 2022 SXSW selection Linoleum. The production also teamed up with Columbus-based Loose Films. That track record is no accident. It reflects a growing creative infrastructure here that keeps talented filmmakers coming back, and keeps good-paying production jobs right here in central Ohio.

Columbus crew. Columbus talent. Columbus on Deadline.

https://deadline.com/2026/03/outside-of-cleveland-jim-gaffigan-alex-wolff-colin-west-1236766830/

Columbus Film Critics Association Greater Columbus Arts Council Ohio Film Office

'Outside of Cleveland,' a fantasy dramedy starring Jim Gaffigan, Alex Wolff and more from 'Linoleum's Colin West, has wrapped production.

04/08/2026

The Film Columbus Teen Screenwriting Workshop and Competition is back for its 10th year, and we want to see Central Ohio's next generation of storytellers in the room.

Open to students aged 13 to 18 from Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway, Madison, and Union counties, this free program gives teens hands-on training in screenwriting led by CCAD's chair of Film and Video, Kingsley Nyarko. Participants write their own scripts, which are reviewed by a panel of industry professionals. Winning scripts get produced as real films by CCAD students.

Ten years in, the scripts keep getting stronger. We can't wait to see what this group creates.

Workshop One begins April 18 at CCAD. Registration is free and open now.

More info here: https://www.filmcolumbus.com/2026screewritingcompetition/
Register here: https://forms.gle/stagPzFPVCVWJ6nx8

Tag a parent or teen who should know about this. And share widely. The more young writers in the room, the better.

Columbus College of Art & Design - CCAD Greater Columbus Arts Council

Columbus, Ohio – The Film Columbus Teen Screenwriting Workshop and Competition returns for its tenth year in spring 2026, continuing its partnership with Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) to support the next generation of storytellers in central Ohio. This program, designed for aspiring teen...

04/07/2026

Something worth celebrating is happening right here in Columbus, and WOSU Public Media is telling the story.

https://tinyurl.com/wosufilmcolumbus

Two feature films shot simultaneously in Central Ohio. Local crew members on both sets. Producers who came here and left praising the talent they found. That's not a fluke. That's a film industry taking shape, one production at a time.

Columbus is the only city in Ohio with its own local film incentive: a 10% cash back program for productions filming in Franklin County. Combined with the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, these tools exist for one reason. To keep production dollars here, create jobs for Central Ohio residents, and build an industry our community can sustain long term.

Film incentives aren't a giveaway. They're an investment in local workers, local businesses, and local storytelling.

Read the full WOSU story in the comments and share it with someone who needs to hear this. 👇

WOSU Public Media | Association of Film Commissioners International | AFCII | Film USA org | Greater Columbus Arts Council

Columbus has long been a popular spot to film commercials, but, now more narrative projects are being made here. Two sizable feature films just wrapped production and more projects are in the works.

01/19/2026

VOTE FOR SNEAKS & ANTHONY MACKIE!

Cast your vote now for the NAACP Image Awards. The locally produced animated feature SNEAKS is up for TWO awards!

Best Animated Feature: https://vote.naacpimageawards.net/categories/e5e1216e-11e7-4c5a-a43d-08de2c5a3e90/entrants

Outstanding Character Voise - Anthoney Mackie: https://vote.naacpimageawards.net/categories/0e6d7989-0097-4151-a43e-08de2c5a3e90/entrants

Support our local animation industry! Vote now!

11/08/2025

We just watched the premiere of OHIO: WILD AT HEART at with Governor DeWine and . The film from Ohio Department of Natural Resources and MacGillivray Freeman Films is spectacular. WOW. WOW. WOW. We had no idea how much Ohio has to offer! Run (or bike or kayak), don't walk, to see this film. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Explore the wild beauty of the Buckeye State in the new IMAX film OHIO: WILD AT HEART, from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Academy Award-nominated producers MacGillivray Freeman Films. Soar with eagles and watch fireflies light up the night sky as you explore our home state's stunning parks and waterways by kayak, mountain bike, boat, even dog sled in this trailblazing adventure. Discover a story of resilience and the deep connection between people and nature.

Learn more and find showtimes at OhioTheMovie.com

Trailer: Trailer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSMwrGciHXk

10/06/2025

FREE MOVIE TICKETS!!!! You're invited to an advance screening for the upcoming film, AFTER THE HUNT.

Wednesday, October 8 - 7pm
Gateway Film Center
Sign up for two complimentary passes at https://mgmscreenings.com/ATHFILMCBUS
*Passes are available on a first come, first served basis.

opens in theaters October 17

10/02/2025

ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER! From Wrap to Release: Post Production Workshop with Evan Campbell is October 4-5. Learn from one of the best in Columbus! Editor on Down to the Felt - The Movie and co-founder of Film Forge , Evan Campbell will walk you through the post production process. Hosted by Vital Companies.

Only $39 for both days or $19 for students.

https://wraptorelease.eventbrite.com

09/25/2025

ONLY 7 DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER! From Wrap to Release: Post Production Workshop with Evan Campbell is October 4-5. Learn from one of the best in Columbus! Editor on Down to the Felt - The Movie and co-founder of Film Forge , Evan Campbell will walk you through the post production process. Hosted by Vital Companies.

Only $39 for both days or $19 for students.

https://wraptorelease.eventbrite.com