From left, Film Producer Jonathan Filley; Law & Order Director Mike Smith, City Council Majority Leader John Rubbo; Mayor Mike Spano; Yonkers Office of Film Director Melissa Goldberg, Great Point Studios CEO Robert Halmi and City Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy
Yonkers fast-growing film industry is a dynamic economic engine generating for the city approximately $46 million in sales and nearly $12 million in earnings, according to an economic impact report released today.
According to a report prepared by economic development consulting firm Camoin Associates, the film industry in 2024 generated $11.9 million in total earnings, including $8.5 in direct earnings. Production activity included 124 production days across the City. In addition, the City of Yonkers collected approximately $961,000 from film permits, location rental revenue and occupancy tax from hotel stays.
“Yonkers has firmly established itself as the premier destination for film and television in New York, and the impact on our local economy is nothing short of transformative. This is a story about the millions of dollars in economic activity that stays in our community. We are seeing a new wave of ‘location tourism’ where visitors travel from across the country to walk in the same halls they’ve seen on screen. Film in Yonkers is more than an industry — it is a vital engine for our small businesses, our cultural landmarks, and our city’s future. We also thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her continued support of New York’s film and television industry through the state’s film production tax credit program, which has been instrumental in attracting productions to communities like Yonkers and sustaining this vital sector of our economy,” said Mayor Mike Spano.
The report was announced at a news conference held March 6 at the new Mediapro Studios in Yonkers. Joining Mayor Spano for the program were Great Point Studios CEO Robert Halmi, Yonkers Office of Film Director Melissa Goldberg, noted Film Producer Jonathan Filley, Law & Order Director Mike Smith, City Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy and City Council Majority Leader John Rubbo.
As Hollywood on Hudson, Yonkers is the premier destination for the entertainment industry and home to the largest film and TV production hub in the Northeast. Great Point Studios currently operates eight (8) sound stages across three locations—Wells Avenue, Warburton Avenue and 1050 North Broadway—with plans to expand to 15–20 stages, along with a dedicated LED Car Stage at 134 Woodworth Avenue. The campus is also home to PHYGITALFX, a Yonkers-based media production services and equipment rental company, 100% owned by Great Point Studios, which supports film, television, broadcast and live events with comprehensive gear and technical expertise. Yonkers is also home to Hudson Scenic, a company that specializes in the design and construction of television, film and theatrical sets. Hudson Scenic is a highly reputable fabrication company known for award-winning major televised events and Broadway sets. The Company was acquired by Great Point Studios to further expand its film and media production capabilities. Tenants at Great Point Studios include Lionsgate, Apple, NBC, Paramount and Starz, among others. Further strengthening the ecosystem, the University of Mount Saint Vincent is joining the Wells Avenue campus, alongside the recently opened YPS film and television specialty high school Robert Halmi Sr. Academy, reinforcing Yonkers’ role as a growing center for education, innovation and entertainment production.
The film industry’s impact extends across Yonkers’ business community, with for- profit entities, nonprofit organizations, and cultural institutions all benefiting from production activity. The report noted that beyond the immediate employment of film crew and production staff, the industry creates a multiplier effect throughout the local economy. “Local restaurants benefit from increased patronage during shoots, hardware stores supply materials for set construction, transportation companies move equipment and personnel, and property owners generate rental income from location fees. This economic activity extends to post-production services, equipment rental facilities, and specialized vendors that support the industry’s infrastructure needs,” read the report.
The primary tool used in the report is the input-output model developed by Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics, offering a data platform that gives a comprehensive, nuanced, and up-to-date picture of labor markets at all scales from national to local. Primary data used in the study were obtained from the City of Yonkers and stakeholder interviews. Key data included the number of production days, the number of employees per production, and the types of productions. Supplemental data and assumptions drawn from industry benchmarks and industry stakeholder interviews.
The report noted what sets Yonkers apart is not only its physical assets, but the authentic character and civic pride that production teams tap into when they tell their stories here noting that local cultural organizations have experienced firsthand how filming has elevated their visibility and strengthened their operations.
Among the noteworthy productions filmed in Yonkers are: The Penguin; Law & Order: SVU; The Glided Age; Dexter: Resurrection and The Irishman.
“At the Hudson River Museum, productions from The Gilded Age to Severance have brought renewed attention to historic spaces and generated critical operating revenue during challenging periods, including during the pandemic. Visitors now travel from across the country to explore locations they recognize from film and television. Museum guests arrive from 45 states and over a thousand ZIP codes, drawn in part by recent screen appearances,” read the report.
Most striking is the mutual benefit between the industry and the City of Yonkers. “Productions find authentic locations, supportive infrastructure, competitive costs, and efficient city coordination. In return, the city gains jobs, spending, cultural vitality, strengthened institutions, and increased national visibility,” read the report adding, “The continued expansion of studio facilities, the city’s strategic location, and its rich tapestry of filming environments signal that Yonkers’ role in the film and television economy will continue to grow in scale and significance.”