COLUMBUS, Ohio — An upcoming statewide celebration aims to change the perception of Ohio’s connection to the film industry by shining a spotlight on its rich cinematic history. Ohio has long been the birthplace of numerous renowned actors, including Lillian Gish, famously dubbed the First Lady of the Screen, along with legends like Clark Gable, Paul Newman, Martin Sheen, Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Rob Lowe, and Janelle Monáe. In addition to celebrated actors, Ohio also boasts esteemed filmmaker Steven Spielberg, the Oscar-winning composer Henry Mancini, and the influential Warner brothers.
The event, titled Ohio Goes to the Movies, is designed to emphasize these connections through a series of themed film screenings to take place over the course of 250 days in honor of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Numerous movies have been filmed in or set against the backdrop of Ohio, including classics like “A Christmas Story,” “Rain Man,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” “The Avengers,” and “Hillbilly Elegy.” Event organizers hope these screenings will help attendees discover and appreciate the state’s cinematic significance.
Promotional efforts for the event recently kicked off with a trailer featuring actor Beverly D’Angelo, a Columbus native best known for her role as Ellen Griswold in the “National Lampoon’s Vacation” series. The trailer has begun airing in cinemas statewide. Ohio’s Governor Mike DeWine and his wife, Fran, both passionate movie enthusiasts, also make an appearance in the promotional video.
Molly Kreuzman, the project director with 25 years of experience in filmmaking, festival organization, and historical theater preservation, expressed her enthusiasm for this unprecedented initiative. She noted the ambitious goal of hosting at least one film screening in each of Ohio’s 88 counties—a challenge that has never been attempted before. “What excites me most is reaching beyond the major cities—Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati—to engage smaller communities. Some places may not even have movie theaters, but we’re ready to show films in parks or libraries to bring everyone together,” she explained.
Organizers are encouraging towns and cities to embrace creativity in their event planning. Ideas include hosting costume parties themed around specific films, organizing community reading sessions of the books that prompted the movies, or programming a month-long series of related activities. There’s even a possibility of inviting film stars to participate in local celebrations. “Imagine screening ‘Apollo 13’ and having Tom Hanks join us. The possibilities are endless at this stage,” Kreuzman remarked.
To further engage the community and spark innovative ideas, a comprehensive Ohio Movie Database has been created, featuring a wealth of information about actors, directors, producers, and other film industry figures from Ohio. The database also includes a catalog of films made in or themed around the state. Furthermore, event organizers are collaborating with various Ohio institutions to secure permissions for screenings of non-theatrical films, including corporate and educational films, as part of the festival.
This initiative was inspired by Stephen George, who originally proposed the movie festival while organizing Ohio’s bicentennial celebrations in 2003. Examples of films in consideration include a documentary on heart surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in 1956, a promotional reel produced by Procter & Gamble, and educational films created for universities across the state. “Stephen had a brilliant idea—to not limit ourselves to just indie or blockbuster films,” Kreuzman noted. “Ohio has a treasure trove of fascinating industrial films worth showcasing.”
