Living in the Ozarks | Ozarks Experience – Ken Childers | Film Industry Growth in Southwest Missouri

Описание: In this episode of Living in the Ozarks, we sit down with Ken Childers, Director of Outreach for the Ozarks Film Foundry and the Southwest Missouri Film Office, to talk about building a real film industry in Springfield and the Ozarks of Southwest Missouri. If you care about economic development, creative entrepreneurship, small business growth, or the future of our region, this conversation matters.

We discuss how the Ozarks Film Foundry is creating education, equipment access, studio space, and production resources for filmmakers across the Ozarks. Ken explains how the Show MO Act and Missouri film tax credits are reshaping film production in the state, how outside productions bring real dollars into local communities, and why attracting film and media projects strengthens the regional economy. From certified production assistants and veteran hiring incentives to location scouting, film permitting, and regional partnerships, this episode breaks down how Southwest Missouri is positioning itself as a serious player in the creative economy.

We also talk about the history of arts and media in Springfield, the importance of local storytelling, and why keeping production in the Ozarks matters for jobs, talent retention, and long-term community growth.

This episode is part of the Ozarks Experience series — long-form conversations focused on the people behind the work shaping the Ozarks.

If these conversations resonate with you, subscribe to Living in the Ozarks. And if there’s a business, organization, or person we should be talking to next, drop their name in the comments.

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Learn More:
Ozarks Film Foundry – https://ozarksfilmfoundry.org