Film Industry Celebration
COLUMBUS, Ohio — When one thinks of Ohio, movies probably don’t come to mind. But organizers of an upcoming statewide celebration hope to change that perception.
Hollywood
This Ohio does contain an incredible list of luminaries from Hollywood. Birthed in Ohio are those big-name movie stars; from Lillian Gish-the most notable nickname-the First Lady of the Screen-allied with such icons Clark Gable, Paul Newman, Martin Sheen, Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Rob Lowe, and Janelle Monáe. Renowned filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg are of Buckeye State extraction as are also Oscar-claimed composer Henry Mancini; Warner Bros. originators too.
Christmas Story,
The state has also been a background to many well-known movies.Film Industrylike A Christmas Story, Rain Man, The Shawshank Redemption, The Avengers, and Hillbilly Elegy were either set or shot in Ohio, thus portraying its significance in cinema.
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Ohio Goes to the Movies is conceived to honor the deep roots that Ohio shares with the film industry, as part of a string of themed screenings across the state over 250 days aligned with America’s commemoration of its 250th anniversary in 2026.
National Lampoon’s Vacation Film Industry
A promotional trailer starring Beverly D’Angelo, a Columbus native best known for her role as Ellen Griswold in the National Lampoon’s Vacation Film Industry, started playing in theaters across Ohio last month.
The trailer aims to generate excitement for the event, using the success of Wicked to generate interest. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and his wife, Fran, who are film enthusiasts, also make an appearance in the trailer and are lending their support to the initiative.
Filmmaking
Molly Kreuzman, project director with 25 years of experience in filmmaking, producing, organizing Film Industry festivals, and preserving historic theaters, called the Ohio event unprecedented. For the first time, at least one screening will be held in each of the state’s 88 counties, thus making it a statewide effort of unparalled scale and ambition.
“What excites me most is reaching beyond the usual hubs—
Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati—that typically receive the spotlight,” Kreuzman said. “It’s about bringing this celebration to smaller communities, including those without movie theaters. In some places, we might screen Film Industry in parks, libraries, or other creative venues. The goal is to involve the entire state in this cinematic experience.”
Ohio Movie Database
The event organizers are challenging communities throughout the state to think outside the box as they plan their celebrations. Some towns may host a costume party inspired by a film, while others could organize community-wide book readings of the story behind a movie.
There is also the possibility of planning a month-long series of events centered around a particular film or even inviting one of its stars to visit.
With a little luck, we can target something spectacular, such as showing Apollo 13 and having Tom Hanks come back,” Kreuzman said. “At this point, the sky’s the limit.
Ohio’s Universities
To inspire communities and generate ideas, the organization has developed an Ohio Movie Database. This expansive resource celebrates hundreds of actors, directors, producers, musicians, writers, craftspeople, and other film industry contributors who trace their roots back to Ohio.
The database also documents all of the movies that were filmed or set in the state.
Kreuzman said that there are different Ohio institutions with whom the organizers are working for permission to include non-theatrical films, corporate, special interest, and industrial movies, in the festival. This new concept actually came from Stephen George who initially thought of the movie festival while planning Ohio’s bicentennial celebration in 2003.
Cleveland Clinic
The lineup could feature films such as a documentary about the groundbreaking stopped-heart surgery performed at the Cleveland Clinic in 1956, a promotional reel created by Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble for one of its iconic American brands, or a historical training film used by one of Ohio’s universities for students, faculty, or staff.
Stephen’s idea is absolutely brilliant,” said Kreuzman. “We are not restricting to just independent or Hollywood blockbusters. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of these industrial films out there, and they give fascinating insight into history and innovations.
