Ethan Hawke — Director, Wildcat (2023, filmed in Louisville, Shelbyville, Frankfort) When asked about his favorite parts of filming in small Kentucky towns, Hawke said: "I think it's one of my favorite things about our job. You get to film in people's houses. You travel the world. You're not just a tourist. You meet crew from that area. You break bread together... My wife is our producer, and when we came just for a month we found a few locations and made a decision, 'Alright, we're gonna do it.'" News Graphic
Separately, Hawke joked that he would have preferred to film in Georgia, but "Marvel took over all the studios here... along with Stranger Things" — and chose Kentucky instead. The Savannahian
Cameron Van Hoy — Producer, Tragedy Girls (filmed in Springfield, KY) "We chose to shoot in Springfield because the town fit the look of our film and because the city and its administrators were so friendly and excited about having us... I would tell, and already have, any other filmmakers that Kentucky is a wonderful place to shoot. A great incentive, great people, and beautiful locations." Kentucky Living
Brady Nasfell — TV Producer, Mr. Manhattan He filmed Mr. Manhattan in Kentucky specifically because the film incentive saved $300,000 compared to an alternate location. WKYT He stated directly that financial considerations drive location decisions.
Maxwell Morro — Director, Horntak (filmed in Southern Kentucky) On why he chose Kentucky: "Because the nature and the environment, it's a big part of the story. These people are doing these weird rituals, performing them in these particular woods." WBKO
CAMERON CROWE — Director/Writer, Elizabethtown (2005, filmed in Louisville, Versailles, Elizabethtown)
When the studio pushed back on shooting in Kentucky, Crowe held firm: "They did try and say that! But we cut the budget and some of us cut our salaries… there is no place in Pasadena that looks like Kentucky." The Uncool.
On the experience overall: "I look at the big picture on 'Elizabethtown,' and I feel it was made for all the right reasons, it's emotionally affecting for all of the reasons I would have hoped, and I can't help but believe the movie was blessed on some level." The Washington Post
On bringing Orlando Bloom to Kentucky: "It was really fun to take Orlando to Kentucky. He was at one of his early career peaks at the time. It's like bringing Legolas to Frankfort, Kentucky. It was just a blast." Collider
Seabiscuit Production (2003, filmed at Keeneland, Paris, Calumet Farm, Central Kentucky)
Executive producer Allison Thomas, on the 4,200+ unpaid extras who turned out in cold weather to fill Keeneland's grandstand: In Los Angeles, "No one would have shown up in the cold" to be an unpaid extra. Kyphotoarchive
The VisitLEX guide for the film noted: "Spend a few days among the rolling hills of Central Kentucky and you'll see why Hollywood fell in love with us." Visit Lexingtonote
Tim Sabo — Studio Manager, StudioLex, Lexington "They incentivize the entire crew, so you can bring your entire crew if you want and get 30% incentivization on all of that crew. Most don't do that, they bring the heads of departments, and then there's enough crew here, and we're building crew out every day." WEKU
KYfilm.org was a game changer for my filmmaking journey. I was struggling to find resources for my short film project, but their extensive database helped me connect with local talent and understand the production process like never before. It's like having a mentor right at your fingertips!
