Southwest Missouri, August 19, 2024 — The newly established Southwest Missouri Film Office

(SWMFO) is officially open for business, marking a significant milestone for the region’s creative

and economic landscape. Located in the heart of the Missouri Ozarks, the SWMFO aims to

become a central hub for filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals. “It has been

amazing seeing the growth of the regional film industry over the past few years.” Says

Operations Director David Carr. “There are a lot of amazing organizations and people that have

helped grow the efforts to establish a strong film industry in Southwest Missouri, and we are

proud to be one of those organizations.”

The SWMFO provides support to film and television projects, and serves as a catalyst for

regional economic growth, fostering job opportunities in the film industry, and showcasing the

Missouri Ozarks’ unique assets. The opening of the SWMFO comes at a time when the film and

entertainment industry is experiencing unprecedented transformation, with production

increasingly taking place outside of LA. With a diverse range of picturesque settings, including

rolling hills, vibrant urban areas, and charming small towns, Southwest Missouri offers a unique

canvas for storytelling. By partnering with state and local organizations and leveraging the

region’s natural beauty, the SWMFO aims to make the area a sought-after destination for

filmmakers.

"I am more than excited to see the robust creative economy of the region grow. We established

The SW Missouri Film Office to leverage the economic development opportunity for SW

Missouri that the Missouri Film Tax Incentive offers. In addition, we want to reverse the brain

drain that has seen our best and most talented film students leave for other states by bringing

those jobs back to Missouri." said Monty Dobson, President, Board of Directors of the Ozarks

Film Foundry.

SWMFO is a resident company of the Gillioz with an office on THETHIRDFLOOR, a partnership

between The Gillioz Center for Arts and Entertainment and the Hatch Foundation. SWMFO is a

part of the Ozarks Film Foundry, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to forging a

movement that leads to sustainable industries in film, television, and new media production in

the Missouri Ozarks. “I am very, very excited to be able to stand down in front of the amazing

Gillioz Theater and point to the third floor and say ‘this is where it all started’”said Ken Childers,

Director of Outreach.

Media Contact: Ken Childers

Director of Communications,

The Ozarks Film Foundry

ken@ozarksfilmfoundry.org

417.631.1088

www.swmfo.org