The Big Picture

Two premieres were held in Cincinnati last year – “Shirley” and “The Bikeriders.” 

“Shirley”

A powerful biographical drama, Shirley stars Regina King as Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress and the first to run for president of the United States in 1972. The film chronicles Chisholm’s groundbreaking political campaign, exploring the challenges, triumphs, and resilience of a woman who changed the face of American politics. King delivers a commanding performance, embodying Chisholm’s courage, determination, and wit. Cincinnati’s historic architecture and civic spaces doubled as Washington, D.C., and various campaign stops across the nation. Locations such as City Hall and Memorial Hall were transformed to reflect the 1970s, providing an authentic and visually striking setting for the film’s narrative. 

“The Bikeriders” (2023)

This gritty drama, directed by Jeff Nichols, delves into the world of a fictional Midwestern motorcycle gang during the 1960s. Starring Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, and Jodie Comer, the film captures the rebellion, camaraderie, and personal struggles of its members as they navigate loyalty and betrayal. Cincinnati served as a key filming location, with its mix of urban and rural landscapes recreating the era’s authenticity, showcasing its streets and outskirts as a perfect Midwestern backdrop.

Film Cincinnati, the not-for-profit organization that works to promote Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky as a destination for film, commercial, and television production, announced today that Cincinnati is once again on MovieMaker’s list of the best places to live and work as a moviemaker.

Cincinnati ranks 11th on the list of best places for a moviemaker, ranking ahead of Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Kansas City, among others.

MovieMaker compiles its annual list based on surveys, production spending, tax incentives, additional research, and personal visits, whenever possible.

“We are proud to be named to the MovieMaker best places to live and work as a moviemaker list again this year,” said Kristen Schlotman, President/CEO of Film Cincinnati. “The recognition is a testament to the talented cast and crew who live and work here, and who keep the film industry so strong in Greater Cincinnati.”

In 2024, Film Cincinnati bid and won the honor of hosting a global film industry conference, the Association of Film Commissions International Cineposium in September, 2025.

Also, in 2024, Cincinnati submitted a bid to host the Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027 and remains one of three U.S. cities (Boulder, Salt Lake City/Park City) still vying with a decision to be made this spring.

“Hosting the Sundance Film Festival in Cincinnati would have a significant impact on the region’s economy and is another opportunity to highlight the work of nurturing independent filmmaking for nearly 40 years,” said Schlotman.

The 2024 Sundance Film Festival economic impact is available here.

On the production side, Film Cincinnati hosted a number of film productions and premieres. In 2024, Cincinnati hosted the production of several notable films: “Nutcrackers,” “Superman: Legacy,” “Alarum,” “The Mastermind” and “Furever Home.”