The City of Indianapolis is courting Hollywood.
Visit Indy, the Indy Chamber and the Central Indiana Community Foundation have launched a new two-year marketing project called "Film Indy,” with the goal of luring more television and film production to the Circle City.
The public-private partnership will position Indianapolis as a production-friendly city in an attempt to also boost exposure and tourism dollars for the region. Visit Indy spokesman Chris Gahl says there’s significant economic impact.
“There’s anywhere from $5 to 6 million in incremental, economic activity that could be brought into the city by this new initiative,” Gahl says. “So, there’s an economic impact win, of adding to the vibrancy of the city and also the marketability of Indianapolis when you’re featured on reality TV shows and TV commercials.”
Gahl says the partnership could also generate other benefits for the city.
“There’s a livability. There’s a marketability,” Gahl says. “So we’re anxious to do everything we can on a daily basis to market Indianapolis outside of Indianapolis, and we feel this new ‘Film Indy’ marketing initiative will help turn the spotlight on Indianapolis as a culturally-minded, vibrant city.”
He says the campaign will spotlight more than 600 film production companies that already play a role in the economic vitality of the city.
The partnership follows three years of research and begins January 1.
It'll be overseen by a 12-person Film Advisory Board and commissioner to be hired by next spring.
The board will function on seed money of about $300,000 over the two-year pilot period.