SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The film industry is expanding rapidly, leaving major cities like Los Angeles and New York City, to smaller towns across upstate New York.
Syracuse is transforming itself into a key hub for productions, bringing Hollywood closer to home for its film enthusiasts.
Nearly 300 miles away from New York City lies the Palace Theater.
But within the next few years, the founders of the Syracuse Actors Studio (SAS), Joe Cunningham and his wife, Laura Stisser, hope the scenery is fit to change.
“I love cinema more than anything,” Cunningham said. “Almost anything else. And I just wanted to make a place where people could come together and be excited about what they love, which is acting and theater and film and that, and feel that there’s no limit to what they can create in that.”
They are welcoming film enthusiasts and actors, all free of cost. Celebrating their works at its first annual SASFest of 2026, a local film screening. According to its co-founders, the core mission hopes to help actors improve their skills through communal learning and well as enriching collaboration. Inspired by Sundance and Robert Redford, SASFest supports its local independent film community by showcasing their work to the general public of Central New York.
“Classes that were like $900 or something like that, and I couldn’t afford anything, and I didn’t know anything about acting at all,” Cunningham said. “I wanted there to be no barrier of entry. Anybody can come to SAS as long as they have that dream.”
“It’s just showcasing the local people’s work and accomplishments,” Syracuse Actors Studio co-founder and vice president Laura Stisser said. “And we are so happy that we can show 21 of these projects, from documentary to music video to actual films, long form and short form. Joe had this dream as a vision and, relates to love. This is a baby. That project this year. Next year it will be an official festival. I’m in three of the films. When I get an Oscar, he will be sitting right next to me. ”
They are seeing the film industry grow within their organization but also across upstate New York, driven by state tax incentives.
“Originally it was 40 percent, so I hope it stays,” Stisser said. “It’s a great incentive. I am very sad that Hollywood is kind of diminishing a little bit, but I’m very happy that upstate New York is flourishing. I also love going to New York City and performing and filming. But it’d be nice to have not drive for hours and so Central New York is again, it’s central to Buffalo to our capital regions. And I’m so happy they, they recognize the arts and can contribute to that.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul had signed legislation extending the New York state film tax credit through 2034, funding $700 million a year for eligible productions. Bringing expansion across the region for filming, but also becoming a media production destination.
“We have wonderful film companies here,” Cunninham said. “We work closely with American High. You see film companies like that. I mean, they’re number one on Hulu right now for the ‘Pizza’ movie. And we want to make Syracuse like the new Sundance.”
The production of films has a significant and beneficial effect on the local economy, enhancing visibility and community identity. Through both tax incentives and the work of local filmmakers, they are establishing central New York as a key contender in the creative sectors.
“I hope that even if you don’t want to make a movie that you’ll enjoy the movies that come out of here, you know, not maybe all of them, but you’ll find one or two of them that you really love,” Cunningham said. “And hopefully that came from what we’re trying to do here.”
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