Tourism insights: Continuing the momentum for film and film production in Happy Valley

By Fritz Smith STATE COLLEGE - The sixth annual Centre Film Festival recently wrapped after bringing nearly 200 thought-provoking independent films spanning multiple genres and formats to audiences in theaters throughout Happy Valley, PA, as well as to virtual audiences throughout the commonwealth.

For the community, the festival has grown to become a hub for innovative storytelling. For The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) and the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA), the festival provides an unparalleled platform to forge relationships with filmmakers and industry professionals, while promoting Centre County as a premier film-friendly destination.

For the second year, the HVAB and the HVSEA hosted nearly 50 visiting filmmakers for a strategic networking breakfast and familiarization tour of the county on the final weekend of the festival. The event enabled local leaders to engage with filmmakers and discuss the region’s unique appeal, resources and supportive infrastructure for future projects. This includes Happy Valley’s built-in talent pipeline and burgeoning film ecosystem, which provide a solid foundation from which to stimulate, encourage and encourage film, television and other video production in the county.

It provided the opportunity to highlight the area’s scenic beauty and compelling film sites, and highlight the independent films being made here now. In the months leading up to this year’s festival, five films were produced in the county, with three of those sponsored by the HVAB in some capacity. Most notably, this was through technical support and assistance from HVAB Film Production Manager Pablo Lopez, a certified film commissioner through the Association of Film Commissioners International. Two additional film projects are currently in production.