The Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC) is the only nonprofit dedicated to bringing jobs and economic impact to Northeast Ohio by supporting a thriving and adaptive local media industry. The GCFC relies on the support of businesses, community partners, and the generosity of individuals for funding.
Since 2009, the State of Ohio has seen more than $1.38 billion in economic impact and created 7,092 full-time equivalent jobs thanks to our work.
The GCFC was instrumental in securing state funding for Cleveland State University’s School of Film & Media Arts, Ohio’s first standalone film school. GCFC continues to support the school’s faculty and student interns since its opening in 2018.
We continue to focus our efforts to increase the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit to $100 million and create a sustainable program that instills confidence to the industry. With the support of public and private partners, the GCFC is committed to creating jobs, growing our population and bringing more business to Cleveland.
Vision
The vision of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission is to achieve increased economic development in Northeast Ohio by using the artistic and culturally enriching activities of film and other media production to strengthen the workforce, support the media production industry and attract media production to the region.
Mission
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission is a 501(c)3 organization that attracts economic investment and job creation via film and media production to Northeast Ohio by advocating for legislation that drives spending to Ohio, attracting media productions to choose our region as their base of operations, and educating the local workforce with the skills to fill the local industry jobs.
“Reel Education, Real Jobs, For All” Workforce Development
GCFC workforce training programs are designed to provide local talent with the education and tools needed to succeed in the industry. These programs are created in consultation with leading industry experts and in partnership with local high schools, colleges, and universities to yield relevant, employer-driven curriculum, training, and networking opportunities for the local media community.
Programs include free film industry intro training workshops, workshops for becoming a Production Assistant or exploring other departments, quarterly networking Media Mixers, and a film lecture series offered each fall in a Cleveland Metropolitan School District High School.
Our programs encompass the creative, business, and crew aspects of production to continue building a comprehensive workforce.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT – HIGH SCHOOL LECTURE SERIES
The GCFC CMSD Lecture Series is a one-day-a-week/semester-long course that debuted in the 2022 Spring Semester at Cleveland High School of the Arts. Now, each fall GCFC teams up with local, working industry professionals to lead students through the various careers in production, from concept through production and post-production.
GCFC staff and industry insiders guide students every step of the way as they film a project of their own, a scene from a major motion picture or TV show, gaining hands-on experience in every facet of the industry (story boarding, screenwriting, equipment demonstrations, cinematography, an art direction studio tour, editing, special effects, visual effects, and more).
This lecture series boasts a unique, exclusive and direct connection to potential employers and mentors, insight on career options, and elite expertise on how an idea moves from concept to the screen. GCFC continues to partner with local high schools to bring this program to their students. Nearly 100% of students that participate are from underrepresented communities.
Business Attraction
GCFC aggressively pursues media productions and businesses that can positively impact the local economy. The organization serves as a convenient, all-encompassing resource for local, national and international producers and filmmakers to ensure great filming experiences while providing “concierge services” to all productions in town.
Advocacy
After successfully lobbying the State of Ohio to pass a competitive film tax incentive in 2009, GCFC continues to advocate for optimal public policy and promote local production activity.
Diversity + Equity + Inclusion = Opportunity
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission is deeply committed to a corporate and community culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, leading to true equal opportunity for all Greater Cleveland’s citizens. We work collectively with our stakeholders to protect and promote diverse people, places, and experiences that help tell all America’s stories equitably and inclusively.
We define diversity as the meaningful participation of myriad groups in the cultural and economic development driven by our efforts, including but not limited to race, age, religious beliefs, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical/mental ability, ethnicity, perspective, and geography.
We define equity as the development of policies and practices that help all communities gain access to the resources, opportunities, and networks required to reach their full potential.
We define inclusion as the authentic engagement of diverse groups in real personal and professional development, leading to an enhanced sense of belonging.
Accreditation
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission is a member of the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI.)
Equal Opportunity
GCFC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. GCFC does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.
Privacy Policy
We will not sell, share or trade our donors’ names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations. This policy applies to all information received by the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, both online and offline, on any Platform (‘Platform’, includes the Greater Cleveland Film Commission website), as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications. To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.