Queen City, Scene City
This September, the world will watch as Cincinnati plays its biggest role yet—not on a soundstage, but on the global stage.
From September 15 to 18, 2025, the Queen City will host Cineposium 2025, a monumental event marking the 50th anniversary of the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI). In doing so, Cincinnati becomes the center of gravity for global media production—welcoming an elite crowd of film commissioners, studio execs, producers, policy makers, and creatives from more than 30 countries.
But Cineposium isn’t just a convention. It’s a cultural milestone, an economic catalyst, and a social accelerant that will shape the next decade of opportunity for Greater Cincinnati.
Here’s why this matters more than you might think—and why the real action is just getting started.
Scene One: Cincinnati Earns Its Starring Role
This isn’t a case of “lucky break.” It’s the result of decades of groundwork by Film Cincinnati, led by the visionary Kristen Schlotman, who has steadily built the city’s reputation as a premier film location.
From art-house darlings like Carol and The Killing of a Sacred Deer to star-driven features like The Public and Gotti, Cincinnati has proven it can transform into any city in the world—and do it with grit, charm, and a tax incentive to match.
That quiet momentum erupted into national headlines in 2024 when Cincinnati not only won the competitive bid to host Cineposium but also landed in the top three finalists to host the Sundance Film Festival. Let that sink in. We didn’t just make the list—we changed it.
Cineposium 2025 is the natural next step. And it’s the biggest one yet.
Scene Two: The Plot Expands
So, what is Cineposium?
Think of it as the World Economic Forum for film commissions—a gathering where the infrastructure of global media is debated, dissected, and defined. Usually exclusive to AFCI members, 2025’s event will be the first in history to open programming to the public, making it not just an international affair, but a community celebration.
Over four days, attendees can expect:
Keynotes from studio powerhouses and festival leaders
Workshops on AI, green production, and global incentives
Location tours showcasing Cincinnati’s architectural diversity
Showcases of regional talent and recent Cincinnati-shot films
Public screenings, student workshops, and open networking events
It’s not a film festival—it’s the machine that powers them. And now, we’re hosting the control room.
Scene Three: Lights, Camera, Economic Impact
Events like Cineposium aren’t just cultural cachet—they’re big business. The short-term economic impact is projected in the multi-millions, as global attendees book hotels, dine out, use local transportation, and hire regional vendors.
But the long-term effects are where the real money lies.
Cineposium positions Cincinnati as a top-of-mind filming destination for international productions. That means:
More crews setting up shop here
More jobs for local technicians, caterers, artists, carpenters, and actors
More investment in sound stages, editing suites, and digital infrastructure
It’s also a moment for policy evolution—expect local and state governments to revisit film tax credits and creative economy strategies in the wake of this global spotlight.
This isn’t just four days of business. It’s four days that build the next four years of growth.
Scene Four: Culture Gets a Close-Up
Perhaps the most thrilling twist in this story is cultural. Cineposium brings with it the validation Cincinnati’s creative class has long deserved.
When we host panels on storytelling with international filmmakers, our students can sit in the room. When a streaming exec discusses global scouting trends, local location managers will be taking notes. And when deals are struck over coffee at downtown cafés, the ripple effect will be felt in our neighborhoods and classrooms.
This is how cultural capitals are made. Not by luck, but by opening the doors to big ideas, bold voices, and meaningful access.
Expect Cincinnati’s universities, nonprofits, production houses, and arts organizations to build programming around Cineposium—from pre-event speaker series to post-event mentorship programs.
The benefits won’t fade when the lights go down.
Scene Five: The Social Story Arc
Cineposium’s decision to open programming to non-members makes this a uniquely inclusive affair—a move that reflects both global industry shifts and Cincinnati’s own ethos of Midwestern hospitality with big-city ambition.
Students, freelancers, small business owners, and independent artists will all have access to a platform that was once only for insiders. That’s not just democratization—it’s transformation.
And let’s not forget the civic pride. This is a hometown moment on a world stage. Our streets, our skyline, our people will be front and center in an international narrative about creativity, collaboration, and the future of film.
We’re not just a location. We’re a destination. And soon, we’ll be a hub.
Fade to the Future
Cineposium 2025 is not the end of the story—it’s a franchise launch. What begins in September will continue in the form of:
New film jobs
Expanded film education programs
A stronger, more connected creative community
A city forever upgraded in the eyes of the industry
It’s not just an event. It’s a debut. And Cincinnati? We’re ready for our close-up.