Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery
SOURCE: Greater Cleveland Film Commission
May 15, 2025
CLEVELAND, OH (May 2025) — The Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC), in cooperation with Destination Cleveland, is proud to unveil new Cleveland-centric Superman artwork celebrating Northeast Ohio’s pivotal role in the upcoming Superman film.
The artwork, released with permission from Warner Bros., features the skyline of Cleveland, Superman’s real-world birthplace, at the center of the action.
While fans celebrate the return of the Man of Steel to theaters this summer, the organizations behind this unveiling are reminding the community that this kind of cinematic spotlight doesn’t happen by accident.
“Productions like Superman don’t just choose Cleveland, even productions telling the story of a character born in Cleveland. It takes months, sometimes years, of GCFC laying the groundwork with studios before they choose Northeast Ohio as their filming destination, creating thousands of local jobs and sourcing from hundreds of local vendors,” said Bill Garvey, President of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission.
“From pitching and scouting to production support and local crew and talent connections, GCFC is at the core of every production that films here—and we need the community’s help to continue driving jobs and a pipeline of investment into our region.”
GCFC’s success in growing the motion picture industry in Northeast Ohio highlights how film production powers regional tourism, visibility, and economic growth.
The Economic Superpower Behind the Cape
In 2024 alone, GCFC attracted half a dozen film and TV productions to the region, resulting in:
- $77.8 million in local production spending
- 2,936 crew members hired
- 2,572 background actors cast
- 400+ local vendors engaged
- 25,000+ hotel room nights booked
This year alone, GCFC has booked productions with $256.5 million in combined project budgets expected to film over the coming year, an all-time record. This opportunity is lost if GCFC lacks adequate funding to meet this demand.
GCFC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies largely on community support, as it receives no commission or fees from the productions it books to film in Northeast Ohio.
Given the current not-for-profit environment, stagnant or reduced funding reduces GCFC’s capacity to pursue the labor-intensive effort to pitch productions to choose Northeast Ohio. In addition, stagnant or reduced funding also reduces GCFC’s ability to train Northeast Ohioans for a high-paying film production career. 80% of film production careers have starting salaries of $36.31 per hour, as well as pension and health insurance benefits.
New Campaign: “Be a Cleveland Film Hero”
To sustain its impact, GCFC is launching a new public support campaign: “Be a Cleveland Film Hero.”
The call-to-action invites film fans, community champions, local film industry professionals, and economic development advocates to become GCFC Members and help maintain Northeast Ohio as a rising star in the film production industry.
Membership starts at just $10/month, with special pricing for students and industry professionals, including production crew, actors, and local vendors for a limited time.
Members receive perks such as:
- Access to free advanced movie screenings
- Free workshops and film education events
- Discounts on GCFC swag
- And the knowledge that every dollar supports real jobs and economic activity, with a $344.34 return per private dollar invested collectively
#LookUp Cleveland — Support the Story Behind the Scenes
This new Superman artwork, jointly shared by GCFC and Destination Cleveland, celebrates the city’s place in pop culture history—and invites the public to play a part in its future.
“This isn’t just about a poster or a movie premiere,” said Garvey. “It’s about jobs, small business growth, and building a thriving film industry that benefits all Northeast Ohioans. We hope everyone who loves Cleveland will look up and join us.”
View the artwork and become a GCFC Member at ClevelandFilm.com
#LookUp Cleveland
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC) is the only 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to driving economic development and job creation by cultivating a robust film and television industry in Northeast Ohio. Since 2009, media projects in Ohio have generated nearly $1.4 billion in economic impact and created 7,100 full-time equivalent jobs. Nearly 70% of Ohio’s film tax incentive spending occurs in Greater Cleveland, thanks to our work. Visit www.clevelandfilm.com for more information.