PHOTO CUTLINE: Sen Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, Wrigley Media Group Owner/CEO Misdee Wrigley Miller; Chef Ouita Michel, Actor/Producer Steve Zhan, Unbridled Films Producer/CEO Merry-Kay Poe, Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, at the You Belong Here Day celebration in Lexington, June 30.
Kentucky series featured in top Tribeca X showing in New York, ATX Television Festival in Austin
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 2, 2025) — The Kentucky General Assembly’s bold action to invest in the state’s growing film and television sector is earning national attention through the new eight-part docuseries You Belong Here, which celebrates Kentucky’s food culture and the communities it unites.
Featuring The Wrigley, a popular restaurant in Corbin owned by Kristin Smith, You Belong Here highlights the commonwealth and four Kentucky-based projects at the Tribeca Festival, marking another key step in growing the state’s film and television industry. Executive produced by acclaimed local chef Ouita Michel, actor Steve Zahn, and director Rick Gomez, the series was made possible in part by recent legislation to accelerate creative industry development across the commonwealth.
“Kentucky’s farm-to-table program, as presented in You Belong Here, stands as a national success story, fueled by over $300 million in strategic investment and celebrated at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival,” said Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester. “We are bridging the urban-rural divide and elevating Kentucky’s capacity for world-class notoriety and increased tourism. These achievements are the result of intentional policy, robust collaboration, and a shared vision for Kentucky’s future, and that didn’t happen by mere chance.”
The Kentucky Department of Tourism and local tourism offices across the state—including those in Corbin, Somerset, Lexington, Louisville, Northern Kentucky, Bowling Green, Paducah, and Owensboro–have united to support Kentucky’s growing reputation as a destination not just for visitors, but for filmmakers and creators.
“Bringing You Belong Here to life was a tremendous opportunity to showcase Kentucky tourism through the lens of food, culture, and genuine Kentucky hospitality with one of our state’s greatest ambassadors, Ouita Michel,” said VisitLEX President Mary Quinn Ramer. “Our elected officials in Frankfort have provided amazing support and investment for Lexington, the region, and the state to grow and enhance our reputation as a place where a thriving film and television industry can succeed.”
You Belong Here was selected for panels at Tribeca X in New York City and ATX Television Festival in Austin, where Kentucky’s film industry was spotlighted as a rising force in the national media landscape.
“You Belong Here is a project from my heart,” said Ouita Michel. “It’s the story of all things and people I love, our rural communities and farmers, our farm-to-table connections, the fabulous cooks throughout our commonwealth. It’s a love song to Kentucky, one we want to share with the world so they can experience our commonwealth for themselves.”
“Tribeca gave us incredible access to decision-makers in the creative community, and the chance to prove what we’re capable of in Kentucky,” Michel added. “It’s a big step forward for our growing production industry.”
Locally, the state’s support has galvanized community-based efforts like FilmLEX, launched in October 2024 through a partnership between VisitLEX and Lexington city government, promoting the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program to attract film projects.
“You Belong Here is proof of concept that Lexington is more than a backdrop,” added FilmLEX Lead Lisa Brin. “It’s a place where story and soul come together, and where filmmakers are truly seen.”
Approximately 80 million people visited Kentucky in 2024, generating $14.3 billion in economic impact, supporting over 97,000 jobs. The film and television industries are key components in building the tourism industry, creating jobs, and attracting talent.
Additional Background:
In 2025, the General Assembly created the Kentucky Office of Film and Development through Senate Bill (SB) 1, sponsored by Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, to help grow the state’s film and entertainment industry. This office, now housed under the Cabinet for Economic Development, will administer and track the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program, which was enhanced in 2021 through House Bill 249, co-sponsored by Rep. Jason Petrie, R-Elkton, and former Rep. Brandon Reed, R-Hodgenville. That legislation capped annual film incentives at $75 million and set a three-year deadline for projects to apply for credits and finish production. The incentive program is one of the strongest in the country but lacked the framework to promote Kentucky as a location for film and television production.
The Kentucky Film Office will be led by an executive director, who will be responsible for managing staff, contracting services, and overseeing business operations. The office will work closely with local and regional film offices and tourism commissions, streamline permitting processes, and market Kentucky as a prime location for film production. Additionally, it will assist production companies in navigating the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program and facilitate the development of a skilled workforce in collaboration with film studios and training programs.
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Sen. Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, represents the 25th Senate District, including Clay, Jackson, Knox, McCreary, Owsley, and Whitley Counties. As of January 1, Stivers has served as Kentucky Senate president for over a decade. He first assumed the position in 2013, succeeding former Senate President David Williams. As the Senate President, he is co-chair of the Legislative Research Commission. Stivers is also a member of the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary.
For a high-resolution .jpeg of President Stivers, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate125.jpg/
Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees, and additional resources.
Lawmakers returned to Frankfort on June 3 to start the 2025 Interim. During this period, committees will meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation, and begin evaluating proposals for the 2026 Regular Session, which begins Tuesday, January. 6.
The full 2025 Interim Calendar is available here. A weekly schedule with meeting times, topics, and agendas can be viewed at legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeCalendar.
Live coverage of interim legislative meetings is available at KET.org/legislature and on the LRC YouTube channel.
You can follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky. For additional member information and press releases, visit KYSenateRepublicans.com.