Vermont, renowned for its picturesque autumn foliage and charming rural landscapes, is actively taking steps to position itself as a prime destination for international film tourism. As of early July 2026, a new initiative called the Vermont Film Production Economic Impact Pilot Program has launched to revitalize the state’s film industry and bring fresh economic life to its small towns.
Grassroots Funding to Drive Film Tourism
Spearheaded by Film in Vermont and the Vermont Production Collective, the pilot program is currently offering a total of $50,000 in grants to local productions. Sponsored by the Koopman Fund through the Vermont Community Foundation, the initiative will distribute funding packages of either $5,000 or $10,000 to between five and seven selected projects. Applications for these grants remain open until July 21.
This grassroots effort has a clear mandate: to gather concrete data proving that film production acts as a powerful economic engine for small, often overlooked rural communities. By ensuring that grant awardees focus on Vermont-specific themes and actively benefit local economies, the program organizers aim to disperse the financial advantages beyond urban hubs like Chittenden County and Montpelier.
The ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Effect on East Corinth
The inspiration for this data-driven push heavily stems from the 2023 filming of Tim Burton’s sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. While the small village of East Corinth does not typically attract large volumes of out-of-state visitors, the three-day shoot brought approximately 100 crew members into the tiny rural community.
Brian Carroll, founder of Film in Vermont, noted that the production injected real, measurable capital directly into local businesses. The local general store and hardware store saw an immediate surge in revenue from the production crew alone. Beyond the immediate cash flow, the legacy of the film has put East Corinth on the map for international travelers and cinephiles. The village previously hosted the original 1988 Beetlejuice shoot, and the sequel’s production has successfully renewed global interest. This has resulted in a steady stream of film tourism that continues to benefit the rural hospitality and retail sectors today.
Bridging the Gap: Overcoming the Lack of a State Film Office
The background of this initiative reveals a unique structural challenge: Vermont currently remains one of only four states in the United States without a government-sanctioned film office. The state ended the Vermont Film Commission back in 2011, leaving local filmmakers, production companies, and regional tourism boards without centralized state support to attract major international projects.
Without state-funded tax incentives or a dedicated bureau, bringing Hollywood to the Green Mountain State has relied heavily on independent location scouts and the sheer visual appeal of the landscape. The new $50,000 pilot program is a strategic attempt to fill this void from the bottom up. By meticulously tracking the return on investment of these localized grants, organizers hope to compile undeniable evidence of the entertainment industry’s profitability for the state.
Predicted Future Impacts on International Travel
Looking ahead, the success of this pilot program could profoundly reshape Vermont’s international tourism landscape. If the gathered data successfully demonstrates significant economic multipliers, it could pressure the state government to reinstate an official film office or introduce competitive filming incentives in upcoming legislative sessions.
For international travelers relying on platforms like Where Is That Place, this signifies a likely increase in “set-jetting”—the rapidly growing trend where tourists travel to destinations featured in their favorite movies and television shows. As more rural Vermont towns secure funding to host cinematic projects, visitors can expect a rise in film-centric guided tours, themed local festivals, and preserved movie-set landmarks. Ultimately, these small towns stand to gain sustained international visibility, turning quiet rural corners into vibrant, culturally rich travel destinations long after the cameras have stopped rolling.
