Regional Film Commission Announces New Name, Expanded Mission

OTSEGO COUNTY

In addition to helping bring entertainment industry shoots to Otsego County and the surrounding area, the region’s new film commission, Film Otsego, also provides support for local high-school students pursuing film or art studies in college.

This summer, four graduating seniors from Otsego County were awarded Film Otsego scholarships: Crystal Castle, Cooperstown Central School; Tanner Jennings, Oneonta City School District; Emma Klehr, Unatego Central School; and Ryan VanValkenburg, Otsego Northern Catskills BOCES.

“The schools pick the winners based on their scholarship procedures,” explained Otsego County Film Commissioner Greg Klein.

Film Otsego scholarship candidates must be planning to study film or other performing arts in college and/or seeking to pursue a career in the arts, Klein said.
Film Otsego replaces the Cooperstown, Oneonta, Otsego County Film Partnership Inc., more commonly known as Film COOP.

“Our new mission is focused on providing education and support for the arts in Otsego County,” Film Otsego Board President Korey Rowe said. “We are excited to bring attention to the many new and innovative ideas we have for creating jobs and generating revenue in the region, and we are committed to building upon these ideas to bring about positive change.”

Film Otsego is the official film commission for Otsego County, including the Village of Cooperstown and the town and city of Oneonta. However, since the new Film Otsego is a 501c3, contributions are tax deductible. Otsego County Film Commissioner Greg Klein said the change helps in more ways than one.

“Film Otsego is truth in advertising about who and where we are, and the new organization gives us the opportunity to do more industry building, job training, and job creation,” Klein said.

Film Otsego plans to build on Film COOP’s work in the region, with continued film screenings and Women in Film programming in addition to the scholarship program.

Shocktober Film Festival will return for its second year on Saturday, October 14, this time at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center in Oneonta. “Ouija Witch” will make its Oneonta debut at the festival. The movie—filmed by Rowe’s Otsego Media company and produced by Oneonta native Cuyle Carvin—was shot in Oneonta in 2022, with the City of the Hills doubling for Salem, Massachusettes. “The Monkey,” directed by Laurens Central School graduate Spencer Sherry, will screen at the festival as well. Film Otsego will also be part of a region-wide Mohawk Valley Film Festival in 2024.

The recently passed state budget includes expanded tax credits for the entertainment business in New York and Upstate.

“The state film commission has told me several times they think the business will be booming Upstate in the next few years,” Klein said. “Film Otsego gives us the tools and branding we need to continue to build the industry here and take advantage of that boom.”

As a 501c3 instead of a 501c6, Film Otsego will be able to take tax-deducible donations and qualify for grants and other donations from which it was previously excluded. Although Film Otsego will continue to function as the region’s film commission office, job training and industry building will become a bigger part of the organization’s mission.

“This is basically phase two of our buildout,” Klein said. “I think the changes give us the best tools to grow our business here and the timing is perfect.”

“Our goal is to make Otsego County a hub of creativity and economic growth,” Rowe said, “and we invite everyone to join us on this exciting journey.”