March 14, 2025

Five New Productions Approved for Film Incentives in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (March 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 $24.2 million and over 350 new jobs filming in Salt Lake, Summit, and Utah counties.

The HBO Original Untitled Jesse Armstrong Film starring Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, and Ramy Youssef was approved for a Rural Utah Film Incentive. “Choosing Utah was one of the best decisions we made in setting up our film,” said Jay Roewe, Senior Vice President HBO Global Incentives and Production Planning. “The scale and scope offered in its beautiful landscapes and uniquely modern locations have allowed us to seamlessly tell our larger-than-life story with the backdrop it deserves. We are grateful for the wonderful support of the Utah Film Commission, including the film incentive and outstanding local crew, and look forward to this being a very special and successful production.” The film is written, directed, and executive produced by Emmy-winner and Oscar-nominated Jesse Armstrong (HBO’s “Succession”). The production begins filming this month in Park City, Utah and will be Armstrong’s feature directorial debut premiering on HBO this Spring. 

Season 6 of “The Chosen” was approved for a Utah Motion Picture Incentive. “We love filming in Utah and are pleased to be back in Utah for another season of “The Chosen.” The people are wonderful, the landscape is stunning, and the locations we use work perfectly.,” commented Brad Pelo, president of “The Chosen.” The popular series from Dallas Jenkins will be filming in and around Utah County.

“Haul Out the Holly 3” was approved for a Utah Motion Picture Incentive with Director Maclain Nelson (“Haul Out the Holly”, “Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up) returning. “Utah continues to be an amazing home for family friendly movies,” said Producer David Wulf. “This is the third installment of this iconic group of movies taking place in Utah’s incredible neighborhoods. A combination of this perfect neighborhood, the continued support from the Utah Film Commission, and Utah’s strong tradition with celebrating holidays—both Christmas and Halloween—make Utah the perfect home for this film.”

The new holiday film, “Christmas Roses” from local filmmaker John Lyde (“Love’s Portrait”) was approved for a Utah Community Film Incentive. “All the crew for this project, from production to post production, hail from Utah. They are such a talented and dedicated group of filmmakers and working with them makes the entire process run so much smoother”, said Lyde. 

A new episodic web series from local filmmaker, T.J. Packer, “Insult to Injury” was also approved for a Utah Community Film Incentive. “The professionalism of the crew and production value we’ve received is unmatched,” said Packer.

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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.