Behind the Scenes
Backlot 2023
Saturday, Oct. 28, 7 –11 p.m.
Waypoint Aviation, Lunken Airport
General admission ($150):
7 p.m, arrival, includes red carpet, food & entertainment, and open bar
VIP ($250):
6 p.m. arrival with VIP cocktail mingle, includes red carpet, food & entertainment, and open bar
Dressed as your assigned character or in cocktail attire!
Get tickets now at filmcincinnati.com/backlot.
If you think you’ve missed your chance to be in an intense drama or wacky comedy from the 1970s, think again. You’ll have your chance to light up the big screen at Film Cincinnati’s annual fundraiser.
This year, Film Cincinnati will be making a faux ‘70s-inspired motion picture at Backlot. Artswave and the Haile Foundation have donated funds to compensate the artists and technicians in the area who are out of work because of the unprecedented strike.
“Film Cincinnati is proud to support our local crew members through events like Backlot,” said Kristen Schlotman, executive director of Film Cincinnati. “We want to keep these crews working and build the morale of the incredible film scene in Cincinnati, so we are thinking outside the box to find ways for them to showcase their talents for the entire community.”
Those local crew members will use their talents to transform Waypoint Aviation's hangar into a magical film set for Backlot: grips and electricians will light the hangar like a movie set. Special effects will wow the crowds, and wardrobe, hair and makeup artists will help patrons find their own Hollywood glam. Backlot will be a completely immersive experience for guests making them feel almost famous.
“Backlot” is Film Cincinnati’s largest fundraiser, helping the non-profit continue to bring in major motion picture production teams to the Greater Cincinnati area. In 2022, Film Cincinnati recruited six major motion pictures to the area, resulting in more than 3000 jobs and an impact of more than $60 million dollars into the local economy.
Backlot is just the start of how Film Cincinnati is finding ways to employ local crews during the strike.
Through special events like “Backlot,” Film Cincinnati aims to directly hire this local workforce of film industry professionals to do what they do best. Instead of creating sets for films, or lighting for TV shows, Film Cincinnati is creating ways for the more than 500 industry professionals to use their talents for programs and events that other audiences can enjoy. The program is intended to solidify and retain talent in the film industry in Cincinnati, so that when the strike is resolved, Film Cincinnati has maintained most of their current talent base and can easily fill the flood of job opportunities expected to be available when film creation starts up again.