Chicago Launches First Film FAM Tour to Attract Hollywood Studios and Global Film Productions: Chicago is stepping up efforts to attract major film and television productions with the launch of its first-ever Film Familiarization (FAM) Tour, a four-day initiative designed to position the city as a leading global destination for entertainment production.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Chicago Film Office will welcome industry leaders to the city for “Greenlight Chicago & Illinois,” scheduled for October 13–16, 2026.
The initiative will bring representatives from major entertainment companies, including Amazon, Disney, Paramount Skydance, NBCUniversal, 101 Studios and Netflix, to explore Chicago’s filming locations, production facilities, experienced workforce and financial incentives.
The programme aims to build relationships with key decision-makers, attract new film and television projects, generate employment and strengthen Chicago’s creative economy.
Chicago Targets Global Film and Television Investment
Mayor Brandon Johnson said the initiative reflects Chicago’s commitment to combining its creative talent, neighbourhoods and business opportunities to strengthen its position in the global entertainment industry.
“Greenlight Chicago & Illinois” is intended to demonstrate that filming in the city offers benefits beyond its distinctive locations, including investment in local workers, small businesses and communities.
The city hopes the initiative will encourage studios and production companies to select Chicago for upcoming projects, creating opportunities across the film and television production ecosystem.
DCASE Commissioner Kenya K. Merritt said the city was taking a more focused approach to attracting investment and expanding its film and television sectors.
She emphasised the importance of establishing relationships with decision-makers who influence production locations and translating those connections into new projects, employment opportunities and sustained economic activity.
Major Entertainment Companies to Explore Chicago
The four-day tour will give visiting executives an opportunity to experience Chicago’s production capabilities firsthand.
The programme begins on Tuesday, October 13, with a welcome reception for industry representatives. Activities will highlight the city’s production infrastructure, skilled crews, diverse filming locations and supporting businesses.
The tour will conclude on Friday, October 16, with a breakfast at the Chicago Cultural Center featuring Mayor Johnson, DCASE Commissioner Merritt and Deputy Film Commissioner Natasha Parker Olguin.
The closing programme will recognise the industry partners, labour organisations and film professionals whose work supports Chicago’s production ecosystem.
The participation of executives from major entertainment companies provides an opportunity for the city to strengthen industry relationships and showcase its capabilities to organisations that commission and produce films, television series and other content.
Illinois Expands Film Production Tax Incentives
A central feature of Chicago’s pitch is Illinois’ expanded financial incentive programme for film and television productions.
In 2025, the Illinois General Assembly expanded the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit to provide a 35% tax credit on qualified production spending in Illinois, including eligible vendor expenses, post-production costs and qualifying salaries paid to Illinois residents, subject to programme requirements and applicable limits.
The expanded programme also includes an additional 5% credit for productions that meet designated sustainability certification requirements and qualify as certified green productions.
Other incentives include an additional 5% credit on qualifying salaries for productions filmed outside designated Chicago-area counties and a 5% credit for television series relocating to Illinois, subject to eligibility conditions.
These incentives are designed to strengthen Illinois’ competitiveness against other production destinations while encouraging investment, employment and sustainable filmmaking practices.
Cinespace Studios Co-CEO Eoin Egan said the strengthened incentives build on Chicago’s established production ecosystem, which includes experienced crews, major studios, local businesses and distinctive filming locations.
He described the FAM Tour as an opportunity to demonstrate these advantages directly to entertainment executives considering where to base future productions.
Film Industry Generates Jobs and Economic Activity
Chicago’s film and television industry supports a broad network of professionals and businesses, including production crews, actors, technicians, equipment suppliers, restaurants, hotels, transportation providers and local vendors.
Productions can generate economic activity well beyond the studio environment, bringing spending into neighbourhoods and supporting businesses throughout the city.
According to the city’s announcement, Chicago hosted seven television productions during the first quarter of 2026, alongside commercial advertising production activity.
The figures demonstrate continued demand for the city’s production resources and workforce, even as cities and states across the United States compete to attract major entertainment projects.
Shawn Papazian, President and CEO of The Fields Studios, said Chicago’s history, people and talent offer filmmakers distinctive opportunities to bring their creative visions to life.
He highlighted the importance of presenting the collective strengths of the local industry and demonstrating the economic opportunities associated with bringing more productions to the city.
Labour and Production Infrastructure Strengthen Chicago’s Pitch
Chicago’s experienced production workforce is another key element of its strategy.
Anthony Barracca, Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 476, said productions seek locations that combine skilled talent, infrastructure, diverse filming environments and competitive incentives.
He noted that Chicago offers experienced crews and established production resources, while Illinois’ tax credit programme strengthens the region’s ability to compete for new business.
The FAM Tour will give studio stakeholders an opportunity to assess these capabilities directly and understand how the city and state can support their production requirements.
For studios evaluating locations, the availability of trained workers, equipment, facilities and reliable local suppliers can be as important as the financial incentives offered by a jurisdiction.
Chicago Seeks a Larger Role in the Global Creative Economy
The “Greenlight Chicago & Illinois” initiative forms part of DCASE’s wider strategy to expand the city’s creative industries through cultural assets, industry partnerships and investment attraction.
By bringing together entertainment executives, government representatives, studios, labour organisations and local production professionals, the city aims to strengthen the connections needed to secure future projects.
The initiative also reflects the growing importance of film and television production as an economic development opportunity, supporting skilled employment and businesses across multiple sectors.
With major entertainment companies being invited to experience Chicago firsthand, the city is seeking to turn its established reputation as a filming destination into a stronger pipeline of new productions.
The success of the initiative will ultimately depend on whether these industry relationships translate into projects, investment and sustained employment for Chicago’s creative workforce.
As the city welcomes industry leaders from October 13 to 16, its message to global studios is clear: Chicago offers a combination of production talent, distinctive locations, established infrastructure and financial incentives designed to make it a competitive destination for the next generation of film and television productions.
