Meg Fister named Executive Director of Kentucky Film Office

Kentucky has appointed Meg Fister as the first Executive Director of the state’s Film Office.
Fister brings nearly two decades of experience in television, film, and nonprofit leadership to the new role.
Her goal is to attract more film and television productions and strengthen Kentucky’s creative workforce.
The appointment builds on the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program, which has supported hundreds of projects since 2022.

The Kentucky film and entertainment industry has taken a major step forward with the announcement of the state’s first Executive Director of the Kentucky Film Office.

On Jan. 13, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Meg Fister will head the Kentucky Film Office. In her new role, Fister will focus on attracting film and television productions, strengthening Kentucky’s creative workforce and positioning the commonwealth as a premier filming destination for storytelling, investment and economic growth.

“Meg is bringing with her nearly two decades of experience in the film and entertainment industry,” Beshear said in a news release announcing the new role. “I look forward to seeing her strengthen Kentucky’s creative workforce and position the commonwealth as a leading filming destination for years to come.”

A Kentucky native, Fister brings close to 20 years of experience in television, film and nonprofit leadership, along with a deep belief in the power of Kentucky’s creative sector to drive economic growth, workforce development, and cultural impact.

She is an accomplished producer and development executive whose career includes senior roles at Quinn’s House Productions at NBC, Universal and Warner Bros., where she managed multi-million-dollar budgets, led large production teams and guided projects from pitch through delivery for major networks and studios.

“I’m incredibly honored and excited to step into this role and help shape the future of the Kentucky Film Office,” Fister said in the release. “This moment marks an exciting new chapter for the commonwealth. Kentucky has extraordinary creative talent, powerful stories and a rich diversity of landscapes. My goal is to position Kentucky as a premier destination for film and television production while also building meaningful opportunities for our artists, crew and communities, so creativity can thrive here and be shared on a national and global stage.”

Additionally, Fister spent a decade in nonprofit theater, first at Actors Theatre of Louisville, where she was the Artistic Manger and oversaw casting, and later in Los Angeles, as Head of Casting at Center Theatre Group, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations.

As the executive director of the Kentucky Film Office, Fister will continue to build upon the momentum created through the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program, which is financed through the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.

Since 2022, nearly 270 projects, totaling $794.5 million in investment, have received approval for a total of $274.5 million in tax incentives. These projects include support of nearly 27,000 jobs in Kentucky.

The program encourages the film and entertainment industry to choose locations in the commonwealth for the filming and production of motion picture or entertainment productions. In addition, the program works to increase employment opportunities for Kentuckians within the film and entertainment industry and develops production and post-production infrastructure for film production and touring Broadway show production facilities.

“As the Kentucky film industry and film economy continues to grow, I am beyond excited Meg Fister has been chosen to lead the newly formed Kentucky Film Office,” said Louisville’s Film Commissioner Soozie Eastman, who also serves as chair of the Kentucky Film Leadership Council. “Meg brings a wealth of experience with her and will undoubtedly utilize her expertise to attract more productions as well as grow infrastructure and workforce in our Commonwealth.”