Kansas City Film Office
The Kansas City Film Office has a rich history of promoting and supporting film production in the region. Established in 1994 through the initiative of local producer Patti Broyles under the appointment from Mayor Emanuel Cleaver, it successfully attracted filmmakers by showcasing local talent, unique locations, and financial incentives, which generated approximately $80 million for the local economy. After a period of closure following its resignation in 2002 and limited activity until 2014, the office was revitalized under new leadership, including Steph Scupham and later Rachel Kephart. Today, it offers some of the most competitive incentives in the country, aiming to position Kansas City as a premier filmmaking hub with ongoing projects and economic benefits.
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News Summary
Kansas City is experiencing a resurgence in the film industry, with twelve major productions slated between October 2023 and October 2024. The revitalization of the KC Film Office, dating back to 1994, has led to significant economic growth and increased interest in the city’s cinematic potential. Under new leadership, the office has introduced enhanced incentives making Kansas City the top destination for filmmakers in the country. Notable upcoming films, including a Hallmark movie, illustrate the city’s growing prominence in the filmmaking landscape.
Kansas City is experiencing a resurgence as a prominent filmmaking hub, thanks to newly established incentives aimed at attracting major productions. A significant increase in film projects, twelve major productions to be exact, has been reported between October 2023 and October 2024, marking a renewed interest in the city’s cinematic potential.
The revitalization of the KC Film Office can be traced back to efforts first initiated in 1994 when local producer Patti Broyles was called upon by the office of then-mayor Emanuel Cleaver to establish a film commission. During her tenure, Broyles successfully promoted Kansas City as an appealing location for filmmakers, showcasing local talent, unique settings, and attractive financial incentives. This promotion reportedly generated approximately $80 million for the local economy.
Throughout the 1990s, notable films such as “Ride with the Devil,” directed by Ang Lee, “A Deadly Vision,” “Article 99,” and “Mars Attacks!” were filmed in Kansas City. The city welcomed performances from acclaimed actors like Peter Boyle, Ellen Burstyn, Tobey Maguire, Kiefer Sutherland, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, providing a cinematic boost to the local culture and economy.
However, following Broyles’ resignation in 2002 due to insufficient budgetary support, the film commission was closed in 2004, putting a halt to substantial film activity in the area for years. In 2011, a pivotal report suggested revitalizing the production landscape in Kansas City, which ultimately led to the allocation of $50,000 in tourism tax dollars to reopen a film commission. This move laid the groundwork for the resurrection of film production in the years to come.
The KC Film Office reestablished operations in 2014 under the direction of Steph Scupham, initiating a new chapter for filmmaking in the region. Scupham’s leadership persisted until early 2024, when she stepped down and was succeeded by Rachel Kephart, previously a casting assistant. Under Kephart’s management, the film commission has reinstated existing incentives while also introducing new schemes intended to make Kansas City and Missouri an attractive destination for filmmakers.
Since the introduction of enhanced incentives in 2023, Kansas City now proudly offers the highest possible percentage of incentives for film production in the entire country. This not only encourages filmmakers to set their projects in Kansas City but simultaneously benefits the local community through job creation and economic growth.
An example of the revitalized film industry is the Hallmark movie “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,” which was filmed in July 2024, and went on to achieve remarkable success as the most-watched cable movie of the year. This signifies the substantial potential that the film sector holds for local businesses and the economy.
Looking forward, the current director of the KC Film Office has emphasized ongoing excitement surrounding future film projects scheduled for 2025. Notably, “The Motherhood,” featuring Connie Britton, is set to premiere in May 2025. As Kansas City continues to position itself as a key player in the film industry, the effects of these developments are expected to positively impact the local economy and showcase the city’s vibrant culture on screen.
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City Magazine
- The Kansas City Star
- Fox 4 Kansas City
- KSHB 41 Action News
- In Kansas City
- Wikipedia: Kansas City
- Google Search: Kansas City film industry
- Google Scholar: Kansas City film history
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kansas City
- Google News: Kansas City film productions
