Established in 1974, the Utah Film Commission is part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
The Commission supports the rich legacy of filmmaking across the state. It promotes the use of professional and experienced local crew, talent, support services and locations, and promotes Utah as a destination for award-winning content creation.
The Commission is a resource for a variety of projects including motion pictures, television, and commercials from student to professional productions.
“Film is a billboard for our state. With over 1,400 films made here, Utah is a well-known destination for filmmakers and film lovers alike, and they play a key role in our diverse economy and creative culture,” says Virginia Pearce, director of the Utah Film Commission.
Utah has a deep and lasting commitment to the entertainment industry. You’ve seen Utah in John Ford’s Stagecoach and Johnathan Nolan’s Westworld. You’ve seen Thelma and Louise speeding through the desert, Reese Witherspoon dancing on the Utah Capitol steps in Legally Blonde 2, and Will Smith trudging through the Bonneville Salt Flats in Independence Day.
• The film industry’s contribution to Utah’s economy is evident in the jobs created and money spent locally, with over 5,500 employees, more than $142 million in Utah salaries, and $239 million in taxable sales generated in 2017.
• 62 percent of film permits are issued in a rural area of Utah, making film production a state-wide industry that contributes to all sectors.
• Utah’s Motion Picture Incentive Program supported 16 productions in 2018, including Disney Channel’s Andi Mack and Paramount’s Yellowstone, generating an estimated $63 million and creating more than 1,300 jobs in the state with above average wages (155 percent of the Salt Lake County average).
