ON A ROLL. Members of the Eau Claire Filmmakers group — including Nathan Deming (pictured standing) — have collaborated with Visit Eau Claire to create a new online resource for prospective directors, producers, filmmakers and others. Following Wisconsin's film incentives passing in July, Chippewa Valley residents hope to see the area become a destination for television, movies and more. (Photo by Jonny Wheeler)

A sense of anticipation for the future of film in Wisconsin has captivated area cinephiles and Chippewa Valley filmmakers alike. The statewide budget, signed by Gov. Tony Evers in July of this year, has re-established the Wisconsin Film Office — an arm of the state’s Department of Tourism — with a large advantage to offer: “up to $5 million in tax credits for filmmakers.”

From the late 1980s to early 2000s, Wisconsin’s film office looked to bring blockbuster movies and television to the state, PBS Wisconsin writes. Today, the city of Eau Claire aims to do the same, as Visit Eau Claire — the official area tourism organization — has unveiled its very own film webpage: “Film in Eau Claire, WI.”

Amidst local and statewide momentum following the news on future tax incentives, Visit Eau Claire’s webpage aims to attract local and national filmmakers — including producers and directors — to the Eau Claire area, Luke Alexopoulos, senior public relations manager of Visit Eau Claire, said.

“When we started hearing more about Wisconsin’s new film incentive legislation, we saw an opportunity to get ahead of the momentum and make sure Eau Claire was part of the conversation,” Alexopoulos said.

We want (the website) to be a starting point for anyone curious about making films in the Chippewa Valley.

Luke Alexopoulos

Senior Public Relations Manager, Visit Eau Claire

Around the same time as the statewide incentives' return, local filmmaker Nathan Deming connected with the Visit Eau Claire team to ideate ways to “drive more film activity and create better resources for people looking to shoot in the area,” Deming added.

From this, the new online resource was born.

“I’m really grateful to Visit Eau Claire for immediately understanding the vision when I called them back in March with what felt like a crazy idea,” Deming said. “Larger (film) offices love seeing that local initiative, because it gives them more regional partners to draw from.”

Chippewa Vallians might recognize beloved spaces pictured on the Film in Eau Claire website. From Together Farms (W93 Norden Rd., Mondovi) and River Prairie Park (Front Porch Pl., Altoona) to the North Barstow District in downtown Eau Claire, the Valley seems to offer a wide array of potential backdrops for indie cinema, commercials, television and more.

River Prairie Park in Altoona, pictured above during the 2025 Mekong Night Festival, is one of many area locations on display on the Film in Eau Claire, WI webpage.

The page also aims to highlight the existing talent of area filmmakers, who would also benefit from new industry opportunities in northwestern Wisconsin, Alexopoulos said.

“We hope (the website) encourages people who might be newer to the industry to get involved,” Alexopoulos said. “Whether that is through collaboration, volunteering on a set, or connecting with local creators. We want (the website) to be a starting point for anyone curious about making films in the Chippewa Valley.”

While there is no set date for a dedicated film office in Eau Claire, Deming — and the growing Eau Claire Filmmakers group — are confident that these new resources with Visit Eau Claire will help amplify the efforts of local filmmakers.

“Film builds community during and after production. It brings together people who love storytelling and collaboration and it helps interpret the region for a wider audience,” Deming said. “The City endorsed the statewide film incentive effort earlier this year because it sees how film can generate both jobs and visibility.”

Visit the new film webpage, Film in Eau Claire, WI — collated by Visit Eau Claire — online to learn more about the area landscapes that may fit your next cinema project. Interested in learning more about the existing group of filmmakers in the Chippewa Valley? The Eau Claire Filmmakers will meet next at 6pm Nov. 6 at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library (400 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire).