February 12, 2025

Five New Productions Approved for Film Incentives in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (February 14, 2025) – Today, the Utah Film Commission announced the Utah Board of Tourism Development approval of five new productions for state film incentives, generating an estimated economic impact of $12.6 million and over 400 new jobs filming in Grand, Salt Lake, San Juan, Summit, and Wasatch counties.

A new film from Academy Award-winning Writer/Director Martin McDonagh (“The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”), “Wild Horse Nine” was approved for a Rural Utah Film Incentive. The thriller produced by Blueprint Pictures, Searchlight Pictures, and Film4 stars John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Parker Posey, Mark Ruffalo, and Tom Waits. “Utah’s vast, cinematic landscapes and striking quality of light make it the perfect setting for “Wild Horse Nine,” said Producer Anita Overland. “Beyond its scenery, Utah’s highly skilled and professional crew base made the decision to film here an easy one. We look forward to bringing “Wild Horse Nine” to life in this extraordinary setting.”

“(Saint) Peter” from Writer/Director Josh Klausner (“Date Night”) was approved for a Utah Motion Picture Incentive. “Having grown up in Salt Lake City until I was 12, the state of Utah is very dear to my heart. “(Saint) Peter” is a story about the life of a young 14 year old boy, and as I envisioned it I couldn’t help but picture the locations from my childhood,” said Klausner. “Through our location scouts we’ve found such richness in the architecture and landscape, which will add so much character to the world of our movie.”

Two Hallmark productions from local Producer David Wulf (“Haul Out the Holly”) were also approved for incentives — “Christmas on Duty” will be directed by Jake Van Wagoner (“Aliens Abducted My Parents and Know I Feel Kinda Left Out”) and “Home Turf” will be directed by Maclain Nelson (“Haul Out the Holly”).

“Zeus,” a new action-adventure film was approved for the Rural Utah Film Incentive. “In our search for a breathtaking backdrop to capture pivotal moments of the film, we found the perfect locations in Utah,” commented Producer Eric McLeod (“The Lone Ranger”).

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About the Utah Film Commission

As part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, the Utah Film Commission formed in 1974 markets the entire state as a destination for film, television, and commercial production by promoting the use of professional local crew and talent, support services, Utah locations, and the Motion Picture Incentive Program. The office also serves as a liaison to the film industry, facilitating production needs across the state.

Thousands of productions have been filmed in Utah, including “Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid,” “Thelma & Louise,” and “Forrest Gump,” to name only a few. Many episodic series have also been filmed in Utah, such as “Yellowstone”, “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” and “Westworld.”

For more information, visit film.utah.gov.