Ky. —Sept. 15, 2026 – A growing film industry presence in south-central Kentucky is bringing more than cameras and celebrities to Glasgow and Barren County. Local tourism officials say three feature films shot in the area this summer have generated millions of dollars in economic activity for hotels, restaurants, property owners, service providers and other businesses
Glasgow-Barren County Tourism Executive Director MacLean Lessenberry, who also serves as president of the Southern Kentucky Film Commission, said film productions can create an immediate economic impact when crews arrive in smaller Kentucky communities.
“The economic return from film production in Glasgow is significant,” Lessenberry said. “When a $15 million production comes into a rural Kentucky community, those dollars don’t simply stay within the production company, they flow directly into our local economy.”
Production spending can reach a wide range of businesses. Film crews use hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and short-term rentals; purchase or rent supplies and props; hire local workers; rent homes and commercial properties as filming locations; and contract with local companies for services such as cleaning and transportation.
The activity also adds another dimension to the region’s tourism economy by bringing production crews and related spending into the community for extended periods.
Lessenberry spent much of the summer working with productions filming in the Glasgow-Barren County area. Three feature films were shot in and around Glasgow during the summer, although details about all of the projects have not yet been released.
The first production Lessenberry has been authorized to discuss publicly is “I Wish I Never Had Sex with Him,” a romantic comedy starring Madelaine Petsch, known for “Riverdale” and “The Strangers” franchise.
Petsch plays a Nashville magazine executive whose life takes an unexpected turn in a story described as combining elements of “Groundhog Day” and “Freaky Friday.”
The movie also stars Chet Hanks, who has appeared in television series including “Shameless” and “Empire,” and Brett Dier, known for “Jane the Virgin.” Voltage Pictures is handling global distribution rights and launched international sales for the film at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Producer Brian Skiba has previously worked with the Southern Kentucky Film Commission and returned to the Glasgow-Barren County area for the latest project.
“In Glasgow, we’re not just bringing a production to town, we’re welcomed by the community and supported by people who genuinely want to see us succeed,” Skiba said. “In my industry, that makes all the difference.”
Skiba said having local partners who understand both filmmaking and the community helps production companies handle the logistical challenges involved in shooting a movie. “The Southern Kentucky Film Commission has helped us navigate challenges and solve problems that we otherwise wouldn’t have known how to tackle,” he said.
The economic impact extends to individual businesses that become part of a production.
Highland Social, an upscale restaurant and bar in downtown Glasgow, was rented for three full days as a filming location. Owner Laura Towe said the production provided additional revenue and exposure for the business while allowing employees some unexpected time away from normal operations.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity the movie production brought to our restaurant and to me personally,” Towe said. “The additional business and exposure helped us continue building a strong foundation in the community.”
The Kentucky Film Office tracks the economic impact associated with film production in the state. Final economic figures for the Glasgow project have not yet been released, but Lessenberry said millions of dollars have directly benefited Barren County through recent production activity.
The Southern Kentucky Film Commission does not provide local cash incentives or pay production expenses the organization works as a liaison between production companies and communities
“Our role is to provide concierge-level service: location scouting, background casting, local connections and overall logistical assistance,” Lessenberry said. “We serve as the community liaison between the production and the destination, helping make it possible for a production company to operate successfully here.”
The commission is a collaboration between Glasgow-Barren County Tourism and other tourism agencies in the region. Its strategy includes promoting southern Kentucky as a filming destination while marketing the state’s entertainment production incentives and the region’s available locations, businesses and workforce.
For Glasgow and Barren County, the strategy represents an opportunity to expand the traditional definition of tourism. Instead of relying solely on visitors coming for vacations, attractions and events, film production can bring groups of workers into a community for weeks at a time, generating demand for lodging, meals, transportation, supplies and professional services.
It can also provide longer-term exposure when locations appearing on screen introduce audiences outside Kentucky to the communities where productions were filmed.
With three feature films choosing the Glasgow area in a single summer, local tourism officials see the industry as an increasingly important economic opportunity for south-central Kentucky.
About Glasgow-Barren County– Discover Glasgow-Barren County’s small-town spots, upscale shopping, culinary delights, unique music venues, and outdoor adventures that are worth the trip. As one of the counties encompassing Mammoth Cave National Park, Barren County offers direct access to one of the world’s premier natural attractions, the world’s longest known cave system. Glasgow-Barren County is located halfway between Louisville and Nashville. Visit us to see why things are Better in the Barrens. You are invited to learn more on betterinthebarrens.com.
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