The Upper Midwest Film Office (UMFO) promotes the expansion of the northern Minnesota creative economy through film, TV, and commercial production. It serves as a personal concierge to incoming producers and the local community, supporting projects throughout development and providing a single point of contact for prospect production across the region.
UMFO programming includes:
- Regional film incentive administration
- Initial location scouting
- Connection with crew and services
- Community connections and permitting
- Workforce development
- Community development
UMFO works collaboratively with the Explore Minnesota Film Office and other regional, national, and international interests to attract projects and help producers connect with funding opportunities and the many stackable incentives available at the state, regional, county, and city levels.
In addition to serving productions, UMFO supports several film festivals in the region. Highlights include the North Star Story Summit, The Ely Film Festival, and the Minnesota Film Festival hosted by Zeitgeist in Duluth. UMFO has also championed innovative solutions for workforce development, providing job opportunities and introducing hundreds of Minnesotans to working on film sets.
According to data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, employment in motion picture and sound recording industries, as well as radio and television broadcasting, were more concentrated in northeast Minnesota when compared to the rest of the state in 2023 and 2024. These local industries made a strong comeback from the turmoil of the pandemic economy, compared to other sectors.
UMFO was established in 1996 by Northspan and evolved to be an independent 501(c)(3) in 2020. It has been a driver of economic development in northern Minnesota, delivering millions of dollars of direct outside spending for content production into numerous related industries, including hospitality, transportation, services, and retail. According to a 2023 study from the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research, the regional incentive programs ripple through the local economy at $6.90 for every $1 of St. Louis County incentive money.
For more than 30 years, UMFO has brought national exposure to the Northland as a destination for filmmaking with unique advantages available nowhere else. North Country (2005), Older Than America (2008), and more recently Rescuing Christmas (2023) and Boundary Waters (2023) are among the movies that have been filmed in the region.
For more information, visit UMFO’s website or contact UMFO Executive Director Shari Marshik at shari@uppermidwestfilmtv.org, or Chief Production Officer Riki McManus at riki@uppermidwestfilmtv.org or (218) 461-1628.