Bill that would create Kentucky Film Office advances to full Senate

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- State lawmakers are looking to make it easier to shoot movies in Kentucky to boost the state's economy.

The goal of Senate Bill 1 is to strengthen the state's film industry by creating the Kentucky Film Office, which would be part of the state's Cabinet for Economic Development.

The bill passed out of the Senate Economic Development Committee Thursday morning. It's sponsor, Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, said the intent of the office would be to serve as a "central hub" for industry coordination in the state, including marketing and workforce development.

"Kentucky has the talent, landscapes, and resources to be a top destination for film production, but without the right infrastructure, we're missing opportunities," Wheeler said. "The Kentucky Film Office will be a transformative step by giving filmmakers a single point of contact, streamlining the incentive process, and eliminating unnecessary roadblocks. This is about making Kentucky truly competitive with other states that have built thriving film industries, ensuring we attract major productions, create jobs, and grow our economy."

The state already has tax incentives for the film industry. But Wheeler said a statewide office would make sure the state "capitalizes on the top-tier incentive program" by streamlining the process to make it easier to get more productions to choose Kentucky.

The film office would be led by an executive director that would be chosen through a national search, and a seven-member Kentucky Film Leadership Council. The council would be made up of three state cabinet secretaries, two representatives from Kentucky-based film production companies, one film industry representative and one representative from a local or regional film commission.

The move would also generate more jobs and income for Kentuckians.

"If you sit and look at all of the credits when a film is done, I mean, there is every kind of job imaginable, from the caterers to the drivers to makeup artists. These are all jobs that can and will be filled by Kentuckians," Misdee Wrigley Miller, Lex Studios owner, said.

The bill is now eligible to go up for a vote in the full Senate. It would still have to go through the House before it could be sent to Gov. Andy Beshear's desk for his signature to make it law.

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