Fort Wayne video production roundup
Fort Wayne video production professionals have a rare blend of festival buzz, Halloween set dressing, and friction-free permits from Oct 18 to Oct 31—perfect for lensing B-roll, booking crew, and locking future slates.
Hobnobben Turns 10
Cinema Center’s marquees glow for the 10th-annual Hobnobben Film Festival, screening 167 films across 36 blocks Oct 23-26, with a virtual encore through Nov 10. Opening-night features spotlight Indiana creators before ceding to midnight horror blocks that routinely sell out. Panels on regional tax incentives and DIY distribution run each afternoon, offering actionable intel for emergent crews.
Can’t-Miss Dates
- Oct 18: Rocky Horror Picture Show + Fright-Night Market
- Oct 18: Sweetwater Studios Kenny Wayne Shepherd Recording Experience
- Oct 23-26: Hobnobben Film Festival in-person screenings
- Oct 23-Nov 10: Hobnobben virtual streaming window
Open Permits, Open Streets
Fort Wayne’s Film/Video Permit covers public parks, sidewalks, and drones; it’s free unless the shoot blocks a lane or requires city staff. The public works map shows no film-specific closures through Halloween, leaving landmark backdrops—like the Electric Works smokestack and TinCaps’ Parkview Field—readily accessible . If a closure is needed, add a $200 right-of-way review fee and apply 10 days out.
Gear & Learning Hubs
Sweetwater Studios | Oct 18
- 8-hour hands-on clinic covers mic placement, live tracking, and post workflow
- Attendees can book the Neve 5088 room at festival-discount day rates for film scoring.
Cinema Center Lobby
- Hobnobben’s daily vendor booths feature Fort Wayne Grip, Midwest Lens Rentals, and Heartland Casting
State Incentives & Future Builds
Indiana’s Film & Media Tax Credit (up to 30 % on qualified spend) is funded through 2027, with lawmakers considering a larger pool after July 1, 2025. Fort Wayne’s Riverfront Commission is also vetting proposals for a 15,000-sq-ft mixed-use soundstage in Phase II of Electric Works, aiming for a 2026 ribbon-cutting—news that surfaced during Hobnobben’s teaser press conference.
Final Take
With Hobnobben’s red carpets, Sweetwater’s studio master-class, and a city permit desk waving most fees, late October is prime time to capture autumn exteriors, network with regional talent, and preview Fort Wayne camera crew’s next wave of production infrastructure. Secure your free permit, load up the SD cards, and let the River City’s festival glow power your next reel.
