The Growing Film Industry in West Virginia with Dave Lavender

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Dave Lavender about the film industry in West Virginia. He runs the West Virginia Film Office, which supports productions by offering resources like crew databases and location scouting. West Virginia has diverse scenery, making it a great place to film, and has even doubled for cities like New York. The state’s film industry is growing, with over 100 productions supported in the past year, including three Super Bowl commercials. Right now, productions are gearing up across the state, with a major company scouting in the Panhandle, a movie filming near Martinsburg, and a TV show in Wayne County. Dave emphasizes that filmmaking isn’t just for directors and actors—there are opportunities for carpenters, makeup artists, accountants, and more. Groups like the West Virginia Filmmakers Guild and film festivals provide ways to get involved. Filmmakers love working here because of the welcoming environment and strong storytelling culture. Dave encourages people to support local film events, including an upcoming announcement at the West Virginia International Film Festival. There is a lot happening in the state, and I’m excited to see what’s next.