Film Utica
Info
Locations
Incentives
Film Credits
Contact
Introduction to Film Utica
About the Utica Film Office
Welcome to Utica, New York! Film Utica is working diligently to change the face of the Motion Picture, Television, and Arts industries here in the greater Utica, New York, area and the surrounding Mohawk Valley region. With the aggressive Film Tax Incentive Program in Upstate New York, we drive production and post-production work to our neighboring cities and towns in a cost-effective manner.
By utilizing our diverse landscapes, climate, resources, local talent, students, and strong relationships within our communities, we are able to offer a very personal, welcoming, and successful film production experience for all professionals who choose Utica and the Mohawk Valley region.
Productions That Call Utica Home
Utica boasts a rich history in filmmaking, providing the perfect backdrop for a diverse array of movies. Explore the titles that have transformed this space into a canvas for storytelling, and envision how your project could be the next to add to its legacy.
Production Credits
- Slap Shot (1977)
- The Sterile Cuckoo (1969)
- Clean (2021)
- The Christmas Letter (2023)
- The Good Shepherd (2006)
- Severance (TV series)
- Trainwreck: Woodstock ’99 (2021)
- Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage (2021)
- Utica: The Last Refuge (2018)
- As Long As We Both Shall Live (2016)
- The Mountain (2018)
- On the Road (2012)
- Graveyard Shark (2022)
- Desolation (2017)
- Axegrinder 666 (2020)
- Blue’s Big Musical Movie (2000)
A Few Filming Locations in Utica
The Stanley Theatre
Fort Schuyler Club
F.X. Matt Brewing Company (Saranac Brewery)
Village of Clinton
The Stanley Theatre
Opened in 1928, The Stanley Theatre is a historic movie palace designed by renowned architect Thomas Lamb. Its “Mexican Baroque” style features a terra cotta and tiled mosaic exterior, while the lavish interior boasts gold leaf detailing, Habsburg lions, and cherubs. Inspired by the Titanic, the grand staircase adds to its cinematic allure. The theater’s opulent design and rich history make it a sought-after location for film productions.
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The Stanley Theatre
Opened in 1928, The Stanley Theatre is a historic movie palace designed by renowned architect Thomas Lamb. Its “Mexican Baroque” style features a terra cotta and tiled mosaic exterior, while the lavish interior boasts gold leaf detailing, Habsburg lions, and cherubs. Inspired by the Titanic, the grand staircase adds to its cinematic allure. The theater’s opulent design and rich history make it a sought-after location for film productions.
Learn More
Fort Schuyler Club
Established in 1883, the Fort Schuyler Club is a private city club located in downtown Utica. The clubhouse, originally built in 1830, showcases a blend of Federal, Colonial Revival, and Arts and Crafts architectural styles. Its well-preserved interiors, featuring oak paneling, vaulted ceilings, and historical artifacts, provide an elegant and timeless setting for film shoots. The club’s rich history and distinctive ambiance offer filmmakers a unique and authentic backdrop.
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Fort Schuyler Club
Established in 1883, the Fort Schuyler Club is a private city club located in downtown Utica. The clubhouse, originally built in 1830, showcases a blend of Federal, Colonial Revival, and Arts and Crafts architectural styles. Its well-preserved interiors, featuring oak paneling, vaulted ceilings, and historical artifacts, provide an elegant and timeless setting for film shoots. The club’s rich history and distinctive ambiance offer filmmakers a unique and authentic backdrop.
Learn More
F.X. Matt Brewing Company (Saranac Brewery)
Founded in 1888, the F.X. Matt Brewing Company is one of the oldest family-owned breweries in the United States. Its red-brick façade, vintage signage, and well-preserved industrial architecture exude historic charm. Inside, rustic brewing equipment and tasting rooms adorned with historical artifacts offer versatile settings for various scenes. The newly designed Biergarten provides a picturesque outdoor space, making the brewery a dynamic location for film productions.
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F.X. Matt Brewing Company (Saranac Brewery)
Founded in 1888, the F.X. Matt Brewing Company is one of the oldest family-owned breweries in the United States. Its red-brick façade, vintage signage, and well-preserved industrial architecture exude historic charm. Inside, rustic brewing equipment and tasting rooms adorned with historical artifacts offer versatile settings for various scenes. The newly designed Biergarten provides a picturesque outdoor space, making the brewery a dynamic location for film productions.
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Village of Clinton
Clinton is a picturesque village known for its historic charm and small-town ambiance. Its tree-lined streets, 19th-century architecture, and vibrant community events create a setting reminiscent of classic Americana. The village’s timeless aesthetic has made it an attractive backdrop for filmmakers seeking an authentic, nostalgic atmosphere.
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Village of Clinton
Clinton is a picturesque village known for its historic charm and small-town ambiance. Its tree-lined streets, 19th-century architecture, and vibrant community events create a setting reminiscent of classic Americana. The village’s timeless aesthetic has made it an attractive backdrop for filmmakers seeking an authentic, nostalgic atmosphere.
Learn More
Utica, New York Filming Incentives & Rebates
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30% base credit on all qualified production costs spent anywhere in New York. The program is funded at $700 million per year and is locked in through 2034, giving you multi-year budget certainty. MintzEdge
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+10% Upstate labor bonus when you shoot at least half of your principal photography in an upstate county such as Oneida County (Utica’s home turf). Stack this on the base to reach a 40% return on resident crew wages and related costs. Empire State Development
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Production + bump (5 – 10%): after filing two projects that together hit $100 M in qualified spend—or $20M for independent producers—every new project you bring to New York earns an extra credit (10% for studio-scale, 5% for indies). Empire State Development
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Empire State Independent Production Program: a separate fund that accelerates payment of the credit for indie features and series, improving cash-flow while you’re still in post. Empire State Development
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What counts? All wages with NY withholding, plus goods and services purchased from vendors with a New York address—everything from camera rentals and set builds to hotel nights and catering.
Why base in Utica?
Historic industrial backdrops, leafy college campuses, small-town streetscapes and rolling countryside sit within a 20-minute radius—yet you’re only a 4-hour drive from NYC gear houses. The Utica‐Mohawk Valley Film Office provides free location pulls, crew referrals and hands-on guidance so every eligible dollar hits that 30–40% bracket before you call “action.”
Learn More About Rebates & Incentives