Ready, Set, Action! Louisville Takes Centerstage

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (January 14, 2026)— Louisville has been recognized as one of the nation’s best places for filmmakers, earning a spot on MovieMaker Magazine’s prestigious annual list of the 'Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2026.'

The ranking highlights cities that offer the ideal blend of creative opportunity, industry growth, affordability and quality of life for filmmakers — and Louisville continues to stand out as a rising production hub in the heart of the Bluegrass State.

‘Productions are drawn to Louisville’s wide range of locations, mild four-season climate, and cash-back incentive, which goes up to 35%. State-of-the-art local theater Speed Cinema, known for curating visionary films, hosts the Flyover Film Festival, which just celebrated its 15th year. One sign of the local film scene’s innovation and growth is the Kentucky College of Art and Design launching a new film degree this year. Additionally, the Louisville Film Office and local non-profit 502 Film conduct workforce development and production assistant training programs and workshops year-round, to keep building up local expertise. They also just held Kentucky’s first-ever film incubator for local and Appalachian filmmakers,’ says MovieMaker Magazine.

Louisville’s film industry continues to gain traction thanks to major investments across the state:

• Louisville Gardens is currently being redeveloped into Louisville’s first dedicated soundstage, built to accommodate high‑quality productions.
• 502 Film, a nonprofit founded to support incoming and local productions, offers a robust crew‑and‑vendor database as well as free industry training programs to nurture local talent.
• Louisville Tourism and 502 Film have launched a new partnership designed to attract film and television projects while supporting the tourism benefits those productions bring.

Recent projects have included Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire, Alex Vlack’s feature directorial debut The Revisionist, with Dustin Hoffman, Andre Holland and Alison Brie and Queen of the Ring, which used numerous filming locations around Bourbon City.

Beyond on‑set advantages, Louisville’s rich cultural scene, celebrated culinary landscape, world‑renowned bourbon heritage, and affordability continue to attract creatives seeking a vibrant community where inspiration comes naturally. The city has earned national recognition across multiple categories — from travel and hospitality to arts, food, and culture — further underscoring its appeal as a home base for artists and innovators.

As productions discover Louisville’s potential, the region is increasingly positioned as a place where filmmakers can build sustainable careers without sacrificing quality of life.

“Louisville is ready for its close‑up,” said Cleo Battle, President & CEO of Louisville Tourism. “This recognition affirms what we’ve known all along — our city is not only a great place to visit but a phenomenal place to live.”