The Greatest Story Ever Told Starts in Ohio
The United States reaches its 250 year milestone in 2026. Ohio serves as the central engine of American imagination. The state is the birthplace of the technology used to record our history on screen. The Ohio Goes to the Movies (OGTTM) initiative turns the entire state into a living cinema for this celebration.
This is an immense celebration of cultural power. The 250 day marathon spans every one of Ohio’s 88 counties. Ohio is the Cradle of Hollywood. This program is a masterclass in regional heritage and creative inspiration.
The Big Bang of Motion Pictures
The global film industry began in Milan, Ohio. Thomas Edison was a prolific inventor and the primary architect of the visual age. The OGTTM series begins on February 11, 2026. This date is Edison’s birthday. The Edison Birthplace Association is hosting A Night at the Movies with Mr. Edison at the Milan Town Hall.
This event is the foundation of the year. The program features rare archival footage from 1902 and 1910. The selection includes early versions of Frankenstein and Alice in Wonderland. These films represent the moment human stories transitioned from the page to the projector. The 250 day series starts here because a boy from Milan first captured the American Dream on film.
Eighty-Eight Counties of Cinematic Soul
The scale of this project is significant. OGTTM brings the festival directly to the people. The project utilizes local libraries, historic theaters, and drive-ins. Every citizen has a front row seat to their own heritage. This is a grassroots movement for film lovers.
The strategy is clear. Each community selects films with direct local ties. In North Olmsted, the Phoenix Theatres will screen Close Encounters of the Third Kind in 70mm. This honors Cincinnati native Steven Spielberg. The film also features talent from Lakewood and Cleveland. In Wooster, the Lyric Theater is hosting a Q&A with J. Todd Anderson. He is the storyboard artist for every Coen Brothers film. These events prove that the talent behind global blockbusters is rooted in the streets of small town Ohio.
The Library as the New Town Square
Public libraries are the backbone of Ohio’s intellectual life. These institutions are movie houses during the 250 day series. The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County is hosting nine separate events.
These events provide entertainment and educational value. The Bryan Theatre is partnering with the Williams County Public Library to present the history of local cinema. Students from Fairview High School are contributing their own documentaries to the program. This is a multi-generational bridge. It connects the classic era of film with the digital creators of tomorrow.
The 250 Day Economic and Tourism Engine
This initiative is an economical road trip for families. This is a massive play for film tourism. The OGTTM Literary Trail is a self-guided tour of over 70 sites across the state. It connects books written by Ohioans to the films they became.
Travelers can visit Mansfield to see the filming locations for The Shawshank Redemption. They can visit Dayton to learn about Toni Morrison at the National Afro-American Culture Museum. These events are free to the public. The Semiquincentennial is accessible to everyone. The program encourages families to discover the hidden gems in their neighboring counties.
Highlighting the Trailblazers and Legends
The schedule for February 2026 is a list of American icons.
Phyllis Diller The Lima native is celebrated in Cincinnati with red-carpet premieres.
James Thurber The Columbus legend is honored at the Wexner Center with films adapted from his Broadway works.
John Legend The Springfield native’s work on La La Land brings a modern musical flair to the series.
Johnni DiJulius The Aurora wrestler is featured in Unstoppable.
These names are proof of a regional identity defined by excellence and persistence. Ohioans have led the way in acting, directing, composing, and special effects for over a century.
A Digital Monument for the Future
The legacy of OGTTM will continue after the 250 day celebration ends. The Ohio Movie Database (OMD) is a permanent digital archive. It is a searchable, county-by-county record of every connection Ohio has to the film industry. This is a gift to historians and students. It ensures that the contributions of behind the scenes stars remain known.
The OMD includes everyone from industry influencers to the musicians who scored famous movies. It is a map of Ohio’s cultural DNA. The state is building a foundation for the next 250 years of storytelling.
The Final Cut
Ohio Goes to the Movies is the most ambitious cultural project in the history of the state. It is a celebration of the pioneers who built the industry. It turns 2026 into a year of discovery.
This is your invitation to the premiere. The theater doors are open. Ohio is ready to show the world that the best stories start at home.