2024 marks 100 years since the first movies filmed-in-Utah premiered and also the 50th anniversary of the Utah Film Commission, formed in 1974. We are celebrating these milestones with a year of exhibits, events, and film screenings. Many cities and counties around the state share a part of our early filmmaking history and during this Anniversary year — we will celebrate all of the people, locations, and productions that have made Utah. America’s Film Set.Ⓡ
Below are ways for you to get involved and participate in the celebration.
Celebrate 100 Years of Utah filmmaking by submitting a film to the FOCUS on the fUTure Film Festival for the next generation of Utah filmmakers. This film festival is open to all filmmakers that are Utah residents either 18-25 years of age or students currently enrolled / recent graduates of Utah colleges or universities. Now Accepting Submissions! Learn more
From January 11 — December 31, 2024, the Utah Film Commission is hosting an exhibition on the 4th floor of the Utah State Capitol celebrating 100 years of Utah Film & Television inspired by James V. D’Arc’s When Hollywood Came to Utah. Visit Today!
The Utah Film Commission is working with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums to curate an extension of the 100 Years of Utah Film & Television exhibition to travel throughout the state of Utah. The traveling exhibit will be available to locations that are free and open to the public, including museums, arts & cultural centers, colleges, universities, community centers, libraries, schools, etc. Interested in hosting the traveling exhibit in your community? Learn more
See the traveling exhibit schedule in the calendar of events below happening across the state.
To prepare students and teachers for a more enriching experience during their visit to the exhibition, the Utah Film Commission has put together a short overview presentation. Included in the overview presentation is a very brief history of filmmaking in Utah and three choices of classroom activities. Teachers can visit this link for further explanation and resources.
The Utah Historical Film Trail will take travelers off the beaten path to discover the landscapes that have drawn some of the most accomplished filmmakers of the last 100 years to Utah and you will soon learn why we say Utah. America’s Film Set.® More details coming in Summer 2024.
Discover the films and locations that make Utah a favorite destination for filmmakers.
Celebrate the cinematic storytelling filmed-in-Utah over the last century by watching some of our most loved films on the big screen.
See the the calendar of events below for iconic film screening events happening across the state.
In 1983-1984, filming for the movie Footloose took place in Payson, Utah and its surrounding community. Payson High School (featured prominently in the movie) has dedicated its 2023-2024 school year to celebrating the 40th anniversary of Footloose, along with the memories, stories, and legends that were created during production.
As part of that celebration, Payson High School is organizing a fundraiser to support Kevin Bacon’s charity, SixDegrees.org and give back something of what the movie has given to Payson. This money raised will help pay for supplies to build 5,000 essential resource kits that will be distributed to local charities as part of the SixDegrees.org Building Kits (BKxKB) event on April 20th at Payson High School. Donate Today!
Interested in partnering with us to help us celebrate this milestone? Complete this inquiry form
Get connected with the Utah Film Commission and stay up-to-date on the latest news about events during the 100 Years of Utah Film & Television celebration by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
