Latest news with #UtahFilmCommission
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Yellowstone' spinoff among new Utah film productions approved under tax incentive program
The Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Four new film productions are headed for Utah and will receive a tax credit under the state's film incentive program, including a 'Yellowstone' spinoff and a new season of 'The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch.' That's according to the Utah Film Commission, which made the announcement on Friday. The four productions will generate an estimated economic impact of about $57.4 million and more than 380 jobs, with filming set to take place in Salt Lake, Summit, Wasatch and Uintah counties. The 'Yellowstone' spinoff — titled 'Y: Marshals' — is the latest addition to the popular series that drew millions of viewers and was partly filmed in Utah. But after filming three seasons in the Beehive State, the production packed up and relocated to Montana, where it was offered a better tax break. That loss contributed to lawmakers expanding the state's film incentive for rural productions. 'Y: Marshals' will star Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton, continuing the arc of his 'Yellowstone' character as a member of the U.S. Marshalls. Production will begin in Summit County this fall, and the show has a $52 million budget. 'Utah is such a draw for film and television because of its diverse landscapes, fantastic crews, and amazing, knowledgeable film office,' said Adam Morra, vice president of planning and finance for Paramount Global, in a statement. 'There is no doubt, though, the film incentive is a vital and necessary part of the package.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The seventh season of 'The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch' will also receive a tax credit under the state's rural film incentive program. Focused on the notorious Skinwalker Ranch in Uintah County, the History Channel show follows researchers who explore the ranch's reported paranormal activity. It has a $3.2 million budget. Filmed in Wasatch and Summit counties with a $1.8 million budget, 'Keep Coming Back' is the third production to receive incentives under the state's rural film program. It's an independent film from director and producer Mark Rosman, who said the tax incentives, experienced film crews and proximity to Los Angeles made Utah a draw. 'When it came to picking a state to shoot the film, it was natural to look at Utah,' Rosman said in a statement. And the new competition show 'Freshman Inventors' will receive a rebate under the Utah Community Film Incentive Program. With plans to film in Salt Lake County with a $300,000 budget, the Netflix show highlights Gen Z inventors. The Utah Motion Picture Incentive Program currently offers a refundable tax credit up to 25% for funds spent in the state, with different sums of money set aside for productions that meet certain criteria. The rural film incentive — which 'Y: Marshals,' 'The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch' and 'Keep Coming Back' qualified for — sets aside $12 million per year for projects that spend at least 75% of production days in a rural county. The community film incentive program is a 20% post-performance cash rebate for projects that originate in Utah. It's aimed at helping smaller productions with budgets between $100,000 to $500,000, and is meant to promote up-and-coming local filmmakers, according to Utah Film Studios. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Reaction to the Sundance Film Festival's announcement it's leaving Park City, Utah
PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — The Sundance Film Festival announced Thursday that its new home will be Boulder, Colorado, starting in 2027, after spending 40 years in Park City, Utah. The decision ends a yearlong process in which numerous U.S. cities vied to host the prominent independent film festival, which has been a launching pad for numerous directors, actors and Oscar contenders. The finalist cities ended up being Boulder, Cincinnati, Ohio, and a combined Salt Lake City and Park City bid. Sundance's new home of Boulder even has a connection to its founder, Robert Redford, who attended the university there in the 1950s. Here are some of the reactions to Sundance's upcoming move: 'Here in our state we celebrate the arts and film industry as a key economic driver, job creator, and important contributor to our thriving culture. Now, with the addition of the iconic Sundance Film Festival, we can expect even more jobs, a huge benefit for our small businesses including stores and restaurants.' — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, in a statement. "As I've said from the beginning, we wanted Sundance to stay. We made that clear to their leadership and put together a highly competitive package. Ultimately, this decision is theirs to make, but I believe it's a mistake and that, one day, they'll realize they left behind not just a place, but their heritage.' — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, in a statement. 'The Sundance Film Festival is a catalyst for innovation, creative expression, and the discovery of groundbreaking independent films that inspire and shape the future of storytelling. This process provided the opportunity to imagine how we design the Festival while staying true to our programming and mission.' Acting Sundance CEO Amanda Kelso, in a statement. "This move will ensure that the Festival continues its work of risk taking, supporting innovative storytellers, fostering independence, and entertaining and enlightening audiences. I am grateful to the Boulder community for its support, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the Festival there.' — Redford, in a statement. 'While we are naturally disappointed by the decision, the State of Utah, Park City and Salt Lake City have long been proud partners of the Festival, and we are grateful for the lasting impact it has had on our communities. We remain committed to fostering the arts right here in Utah, where the spirit of storytelling will always thrive.' — a joint statement from the mayors of Park City, Salt Lake City and Utah Film Commission. 'While Cincinnati was not selected to host the Sundance Film Festival, we are proud of how our city demonstrated its dynamic role within the film industry,' Film Cincinnati President Kristen Schlotman said in a statement. ___ Associated Press Writers Hannah Schoenbaum and John Seewer contributed to this report.
The Independent
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Reaction to the Sundance Film Festival's announcement it's leaving Park City, Utah
The Sundance Film Festival announced Thursday that its new home will be Boulder, Colorado, starting in 2027, after spending 40 years in Park City, Utah. The decision ends a yearlong process in which numerous U.S. cities vied to host the prominent independent film festival, which has been a launching pad for numerous directors, actors and Oscar contenders. The finalist cities ended up being Boulder, Cincinnati, Ohio, and a combined Salt Lake City and Park City bid. Sundance's new home of Boulder even has a connection to its founder, Robert Redford, who attended the university there in the 1950s. Here are some of the reactions to Sundance's upcoming move: 'Here in our state we celebrate the arts and film industry as a key economic driver, job creator, and important contributor to our thriving culture. Now, with the addition of the iconic Sundance Film Festival, we can expect even more jobs, a huge benefit for our small businesses including stores and restaurants.' — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, in a statement. "As I've said from the beginning, we wanted Sundance to stay. We made that clear to their leadership and put together a highly competitive package. Ultimately, this decision is theirs to make, but I believe it's a mistake and that, one day, they'll realize they left behind not just a place, but their heritage.' — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, in a statement. 'The Sundance Film Festival is a catalyst for innovation, creative expression, and the discovery of groundbreaking independent films that inspire and shape the future of storytelling. This process provided the opportunity to imagine how we design the Festival while staying true to our programming and mission.' Acting Sundance CEO Amanda Kelso, in a statement. "This move will ensure that the Festival continues its work of risk taking, supporting innovative storytellers, fostering independence, and entertaining and enlightening audiences. I am grateful to the Boulder community for its support, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the Festival there.' — Redford, in a statement. 'While we are naturally disappointed by the decision, the State of Utah, Park City and Salt Lake City have long been proud partners of the Festival, and we are grateful for the lasting impact it has had on our communities. We remain committed to fostering the arts right here in Utah, where the spirit of storytelling will always thrive.' — a joint statement from the mayors of Park City, Salt Lake City and Utah Film Commission. 'While Cincinnati was not selected to host the Sundance Film Festival, we are proud of how our city demonstrated its dynamic role within the film industry,' Film Cincinnati President Kristen Schlotman said in a statement. ___ Associated Press Writers Hannah Schoenbaum and John Seewer contributed to this report.
Associated Press
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Reaction to the Sundance Film Festival's announcement it's leaving Park City, Utah
PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — The Sundance Film Festival announced Thursday that its new home will be Boulder, Colorado, starting in 2027, after spending 40 years in Park City, Utah. The decision ends a yearlong process in which numerous U.S. cities vied to host the prominent independent film festival, which has been a launching pad for numerous directors, actors and Oscar contenders. The finalist cities ended up being Boulder, Cincinnati, Ohio, and a combined Salt Lake City and Park City bid. Sundance's new home of Boulder even has a connection to its founder, Robert Redford, who attended the university there in the 1950s. Here are some of the reactions to Sundance's upcoming move: 'Here in our state we celebrate the arts and film industry as a key economic driver, job creator, and important contributor to our thriving culture. Now, with the addition of the iconic Sundance Film Festival, we can expect even more jobs, a huge benefit for our small businesses including stores and restaurants.' — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, in a statement. 'As I've said from the beginning, we wanted Sundance to stay. We made that clear to their leadership and put together a highly competitive package. Ultimately, this decision is theirs to make, but I believe it's a mistake and that, one day, they'll realize they left behind not just a place, but their heritage.' — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, in a statement. 'The Sundance Film Festival is a catalyst for innovation, creative expression, and the discovery of groundbreaking independent films that inspire and shape the future of storytelling. This process provided the opportunity to imagine how we design the Festival while staying true to our programming and mission.' Acting Sundance CEO Amanda Kelso, in a statement. 'This move will ensure that the Festival continues its work of risk taking, supporting innovative storytellers, fostering independence, and entertaining and enlightening audiences. I am grateful to the Boulder community for its support, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the Festival there.' — Redford, in a statement. 'While we are naturally disappointed by the decision, the State of Utah, Park City and Salt Lake City have long been proud partners of the Festival, and we are grateful for the lasting impact it has had on our communities. We remain committed to fostering the arts right here in Utah, where the spirit of storytelling will always thrive.' — a joint statement from the mayors of Park City, Salt Lake City and Utah Film Commission. 'While Cincinnati was not selected to host the Sundance Film Festival, we are proud of how our city demonstrated its dynamic role within the film industry,' Film Cincinnati President Kristen Schlotman said in a statement.
