Lights, Camera, Lexington!
FilmLEX: Putting Central Kentucky in the Spotlight
FilmLEX is VisitLEX’s film and television initiative, dedicated to serving and supporting the production community while promoting the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program to attract film and television projects to the Commonwealth. Through the leadership of our speakers today, since 2024 FilmLEX has positioned Lexington and Central Kentucky as a popular production destination, driving new investment, creating jobs, and showcasing the region’s talent, locations, and communities to audiences around the world.
Mary Quinn Ramer is President of VisitLEX, where she oversees the organization’s marketing, convention sales, and administrative operations while leading efforts to promote Lexington for tourism, meetings, and special events. A tourism industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience, she assumed her current position in 2014 after serving seven years as VisitLEX’s Vice President of Marketing.
During her tenure, she has spearheaded the organization’s award-winning rebranding, including the creation of Lexington’s iconic Blue Horse brand and accompanying merchandise. She has also coordinated VisitLEX’s efforts for four international equine events; launched an original culinary tourism initiative; helped secure the expansion of the Central Bank Center; and played key roles in restoring the Old Fayette Courthouse as VisitLEX headquarters and reopening public access to the Kentucky River through Kelly’s Landing.
A graduate of Centre College, Ramer has received numerous honors throughout her career. She is the recipient of the Public Relations Society of America’s highest honor, the Silver Anvil, as well as multiple marketing awards from the Kentucky Travel Industry Association, including the prestigious Mangeot-Oaken Award. She has also been recognized as Kentucky’s Tourism Director of the Year.
Lisa Brin is the FilmLEX Lead for VisitLEX, where she promotes Lexington and Central Kentucky as premier destinations for film and television production. In her role, she markets the region to the entertainment industry, connects productions with local resources, and serves as a trusted advisor throughout the filming process.
Before returning to Kentucky five years ago, Brin built an impressive career in Los Angeles, developing consumer brand partnership campaigns for major studios, including The Walt Disney Company, Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and The Marketing Store. Her work supported blockbuster franchises such as Jurassic World, Fast & Furious, Kung Fu Panda, Despicable Me, and The Grinch. She also spent four years studying improvisation and screenwriting at Chicago’s renowned Second City, where she embraced the collaborative philosophy of “yes, and.”
Although born and raised in the Chicago area, Brin has deep Kentucky roots through her father’s Lexington family. She is proud to be back in the Bluegrass to help grow Kentucky’s emerging film industry through FilmLEX.
Rotary in Review:
FilmLEX Positions Lexington for a Starring Role in the Entertainment Industry
Mary Quinn Ramer, President of VisitLEX, and Lisa Brin, FilmLEX Lead, shared how Lexington is emerging as a destination for film and television production through VisitLEX’s FilmLEX initiative. Created in response to Kentucky’s 2022 Entertainment Incentive Program, FilmLEX is designed to attract productions while providing comprehensive support that includes location scouting, permitting, logistics, and local industry connections. Brin, who relocated from Los Angeles during the pandemic, brings more than 13 years of entertainment industry experience in Hollywood to the effort.
Kentucky’s Entertainment Incentive Program has become a major catalyst for growth, offering filmmakers a competitive 30 to 35 percent fully refundable tax rebate backed by $75 million in annual funding. Additional incentives reward productions that hire Kentucky-based crew members and film in designated heritage counties, helping the Commonwealth compete successfully with other states and foreign countries for film and television projects.
Ramer and Brin emphasized that film production is about far more than making movies – it is an economic development strategy that benefits tourism, hospitality, and local businesses. Studies show that 88 percent of travelers are influenced by destinations they have seen on screen, creating tourism opportunities for communities featured in film and television productions. As the entertainment industry continues to expand beyond traditional film and television into streaming platforms, podcasts, video games, and the content creator economy, Lexington is well positioned to capitalize on those trends.
To support that growth, FilmLEX has developed an online resource center, production directories, location databases, and a streamlined permitting process designed to make filming in Lexington as efficient and filmmaker-friendly as possible. The initiative also connects productions with local vendors, crew members, background actors, and unique filming locations while partnering with colleges and universities to strengthen workforce development through film-related educational opportunities.
Nineteen film and television projects have already been completed in Lexington, generating both economic impact and national attention. As of June, $14.1 million of the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program’s fully refundable tax rebates are for projects filmed in Lexington and Central Kentucky, representing $2.63 million of direct impact to the local economy.
FilmLEX’s work has been featured in Deadline Hollywood, Variety, and Business Insider, and an increasing share of Kentucky’s film incentive funding is now being directed to projects in Lexington and Central Kentucky.
Ramer and Brin concluded by encouraging Rotarians and the broader community to become involved by registering businesses, properties, and professional services with FilmLEX. They also urged hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality partners to support visiting productions. By leveraging its distinctive locations, competitive incentives, and collaborative community, Lexington is positioning itself not only as a great place to visit, but as a premier destination for filmmakers from around the world.
Jim Richardson