Local Resources and Incentives Drove Unprecedented Rise in Productions in 2018

Knoxville, TN— January 17, 2019— Visit Knoxville is proud to announce alongside the prestigious film trade publication, MovieMaker, that the city of Knoxville ranks among the top 10 cities to live and work as a filmmaker in 2019. This marks the first time since the 2013 inception of the Visit Knoxville Film Office that the city has been recognized in the magazine’s annual special issue. The print edition of the special winter issue featuring Knoxville as a filming destination will be distributed in advance at the Sundance Film Festival, hits newsstands on February 6th, and is currently available online at https://www.moviemaker.com/archives/news/best-places-to-live-and-work-as-a-moviemaker-2019-small-cities-and-towns/8/

“This recognition by MovieMaker Magazine is a thrilling validation and recognizes the talent and hard work of our entire community,” said Visit Knoxville President Kim Bumpas.  “This honor also specifically speaks to what Curt Willis, Director of the Visit Knoxville Film Office, has accomplished over the past few years as well as the incredible destination that Knoxville continues to prove itself to be.”  

The city of Knoxville saw a burst in independent film production in 2018 including Sundance Film Festival selection Light From Light, directed by Paul Harrill, Purity Falls, from Stargazer Entertainment, Into the Wilderness, from New Film Group, No Time to Run from Elevating Entertainment, and Flirting with Azreal from Storyhaus Media. In 2016, The Last Movie Star, starring the legendary Burt Reynolds and a Tribeca Film Festival selection distributed by A24, also shot in Knoxville.

Filmmakers are attracted to Knoxville for the statewide and local filming incentives. In addition to the 25% rebate available at a low $200k threshold from the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, Knoxville offers an additional 5% cash rebate to qualifying productions, as well as low cost services and locations, a deep bench of qualified crew due to the booming television production in the area, and a screening agreement with the locally-based Regal Cinema Art buying team.

About the Visit Knoxville Film Office: Established in 2013, the mission of the Visit Knoxville Film Office is to strengthen Knoxville's economy through the promotion of the city as a premiere filming location. For more information on filming in Knoxville, please visit FilmKnoxvilleTN.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter. Visit Knoxville (Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau) is the official CVB for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. Visit Knoxville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private company that works together with the community, business leaders and local and state government to further develop Knoxville as a premier leisure, meetings and travel destination. Join the Visit Knoxville conversation with the hashtag #knoxrocks on all of our social platforms.

Visit Knoxville:
Kristen Combs
Director of Communications
kcombs@knoxville.org
865-342-9127 o
865-306-4341 c