Kansas City Eyes Becoming the Hollywood of the Midwest as New Film Office Lead Rachel Kephart Shares Her Vision

In the Heartland, hopes are running high as the film industry in Kansas City, Missouri, embarks on an exciting new chapter. Win-back measures, particularly proactive tax incentives that attract filming projects to the city, have created a buzz, bolstering the regional film industry’s progress. Overseeing the city’s renewed momentum is the Kansas City Film Office’s new director, Rachel Kephart, who’s rallying to make Kansas City the next big hub for Hollywood.

Setting the Stage for Local Filmmaking

Last year, Governor Mike Parson rolled out a game-changing film tax incentive program. This promised a tax break of 20% on qualifying expenses over $50,000 for short films and exceeding $100,000 for feature productions, subject to certain prerequisites. The strategic motive helped Kansas City, the only city formerly operating local filming incentives without a statewide program, gain substantial traction in film production.

A New Era for KC Film

Building Sustainable Careers in Film

The Road Ahead

As the regional film industry thrives under these newfound incentives, Kephart hints at a busy year ahead. She reflects on the recent enlivened activity, including reality show bookings and ongoing feature films on schedule.

Kephart’s vision for the local arena isn’t limited to attracting big projects. Instead, she aims to ensure a sustainable local industry and a burgeoning talent pool. She proposes, “As we get busier, one of the challenges is that we’ll have to grow our workforce. I intend to strengthen programs at the university level and develop apprenticeship programs to create hands-on learning experiences for our budding talents.”

With dedicated enthusiasm and a practiced eye, Rachel Kephart heralds an era of prolific opportunities for Kansas City’s film industry. The heartland now resounds with her ambition for the city to rise as the next significant industry hub in the Midwest.