Reel Magic: Lights, Camera, Hudson Valley

In our gorgeous region, just sixty miles north of Manhattan, the Hudson Valley has quietly become one of the most compelling film production destinations in the country for both independent filmmaking and blockbuster productions. While it’s hard to pin down an exact number, the Hudson Valley is home to a thriving network of film companies, studios, and service providers—many accessible through the Hudson Valley Film Commission. With New York State’s generous film tax incentive program in place since 2004—offering up to 40% credit on qualified expenditures—productions save significantly by filming here. And as the longtime home of the Woodstock Film Festival—a bellwether for independent film since 2000—the region is both showcase and engine for New York-made productions that make their way to worldwide visibility and acclaim. In that spirit, we’re shining a light on the companies and organizations here that help make so many of those films possible. Add to that a wealth of experienced crews, innovative studios, and landscapes that shift from riverfront to mountain ridge to charming small town, and the Hudson Valley is more than an alternative to the city and Hollywood—it’s a world-class hub in its own right. From pyrotechnics to virtual production, from handcrafted props and sets to award-winning VFX, world-class film resources abound. The Hudson Valley Film Commission alone has supported over 500 productions since 2000, and a growing network of businesses is ready to meet every production need.

As this creative ecosystem continues to grow, it’s only fitting that we also celebrate the 26th Annual Woodstock Film Festival from October 15–19, 2025. One of the most respected celebrations of independent film in the world, this year’s event will showcase an estimated 125 films and more than 20 panel discussions and Q&As, drawing industry leaders, filmmakers, and audiences from around the globe to screenings, talks, and special events at venues across Woodstock, Saugerties, Kingston, and Rosendale. More than a showcase, the festival is also a community gathering point—a chance to experience the artistry and exchange of ideas. Below, we highlight the WWF, along with some of the Hudson Valley’s standout companies and organizations that make these stories possible, from on-set effects teams to full-scale studios and post-production experts.

Now, quiet on the set, please. And…Action!

Hudson Valley Film, Theater and TV Resources

XR-NY | Blauvelt NY | @xr_newyork

At the cutting edge of virtual production, XR-NY offers LED stage rentals, extended reality (XR) workflows, and full-service production support just 25 miles from Manhattan. Their facility provides filmmakers and brands with access to immersive virtual backdrops powered by Unreal Engine, featuring add-ons such as motion control rigs, camera tracking, set builds, and real-time rendering. Whether productions rent the LED volume stage with their own crews or tap XR-NY for full service, the result is streamlined, cost-effective shoots that expand creative potential.

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Costume Armour, Inc. | Cornwall NY | @costumearmour

A world leader in theatrical armor and custom props, Costume Armour has created pieces for Broadway, Disney, opera, film, and television. Their team of artists produces historically accurate Greco-Roman, Gothic, and Elizabethan armor alongside imaginative fantasy designs. Using techniques from vacuum forming to resin casting, Costume Armour also fabricates sculptures and specialty props, making them an invaluable resource for fantasy, period, and large-scale productions.

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Cigar Box Studios | Cornwall-on-Hudson NY | @cigarboxstudios

Cigar Box Studios is a full-service scenery and fabrication shop serving television, theater, fashion, retail, and live events. Their team builds everything from stages and backdrops to custom props and display cases, with past clients including Discovery Channel, LG, Planet Fitness, and Coca-Cola. Known for problem-solving and precision, the studio specializes in making the spectacular possible—whether that’s a one-of-a-kind set piece, a merchandising installation, or fabricated elements for special effects.

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Czinkota | Gardiner NY | @czinkotastudios

Czinkota Studios, founded in 2001, specializes in custom-themed fabrication and art for branding, events, museums, and theater. They provide comprehensive services for projects of any size, from technical design to fabrication and installation. With an impressive portfolio that includes projects for corporate events, theme parks, window displays, and Broadway, their team of artists and craftsmen blends traditional skills with modern industrial and digital techniques.

Empire FX | Gardiner NY | @empirefxco

For more than 40 years, Empire FX has been one of New York’s go-to practical effects companies, providing explosions, fire, bullet hits, fog, rain, snow, and even vehicle flips for film and television. Their team designs, fabricates, rigs, and operates effects safely on set, from pyrotechnics to mechanical rigs and motion platforms. With 90,000 square feet of storage space in Newburgh, they also manage transport and strike, giving productions end-to-end support. When filmmakers need believable, high-impact physical effects, Empire FX delivers.

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Capone Productions | Accord NY | @thestoryofpaulineoliverosfilm

A full-service video production company, Capone Productions, takes projects from script to screen. Their services include casting, cinematography, sound, editing, compositing, and title design, with a strong emphasis on delivering quality at a range of budgets. In post-production, they can integrate animation and special effects, ensuring productions of every scale have access to polished, professional results.

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Edgeworx Studios | Kingston NY | @edgeworxstudios

With a team of animators, designers, and filmmakers, Edgeworx Studios offers a full suite of visual effects, animation, and motion graphics services. Known for their collaborative approach and efficient budgets, Edgeworx has partnered with leading entertainment companies and independent filmmakers alike. Their specialty lies in documentaries and television, but their artistry and technical expertise extend across genres, making them a flexible partner for productions large and small.

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Nostrand Productions | Kingston NY | @nostrandproductions

Founded by filmmaker Christopher Nostrand in 2014, Nostrand Productions is an award-winning production company offering concept-to-completion services, from cinematography and editing to drone capture and sound. Known for reliability and creativity, the company also provides gear rentals and effects-related support. Nostrand’s team combines local roots with festival-tested filmmaking experience, giving productions strong storytelling and technical expertise.

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Sandbox FX | Kingston NY 

Founded in 2003 by VFX supervisor John Nugent, Sandbox FX has become an award-winning Kingston-based visual effects studio known for on-set supervision and high-end 2D/3D work. Their team of artists and producers brings decades of industry experience, with credits ranging from feature films to episodic series. An international partnership with BigHug FX also enables clients to tap into global resources while still accessing Hudson Valley tax incentives—a rare advantage for productions of all scales.

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Cadence Effects | New Lebanon NY | @cadenceeffects

Cadence Effects is a boutique VFX company specializing in seamless, “invisible” effects that integrate flawlessly into film and television. From set extensions and digital cleanup to bullet impacts and fire simulations, Cadence uses tools like Nuke, Maya, and Unreal Engine to solve problems and bring stories to life. TPN Gold Standard Certified, they maintain the highest security protocols for sensitive projects, and their credits span feature films, episodic television, and streaming series.

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Choice Films | Newburgh NY | @choicefilmsinc

Founded in 2001 by Summer Crockett Moore and Tony Glazer, Choice Films is a multi-award-winning production company with offices in NYC, NJ, and Newburgh. Their work spans film, television, theatre, and multimedia, with over 25 awards for excellence. Choice Films also operates Choice Theatricals and a nonprofit training arm, Below the Line Bootcamp, which opens pathways for at-risk youth. With a turnkey soundstage at Umbra in Newburgh, Choice Films brings top-tier production infrastructure and decades of experience to the region.

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Murmuration | Newburgh NY | @murmuration_inc

A full-service creative fabrication studio, Murmuration turns concepts into camera-ready builds for brands, activations, film, theater, and events. From design and previsualization (sketches, 3D renders, and full 360° scopes) through scenic finishes and installation, their team handles end-to-end production with an artist’s eye for detail. Recent highlights include the Dune premiere’s Ornithopter centerpiece, Red Bull Flugtag builds, and Disney’s Hocus Pocus Airbnb project—proof of a shop that can go from imaginative brief to immersive reality. Founded in 2014 and based in downtown Newburgh, Murmuration offers film-quality treatments and faux finishes that read beautifully on camera and on set. 

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Keep Your Finger on the Pulse of Filmmaking in the Hudson Valley

Hudson Valley Film Commission | Poughkeepsie NY | @hudsonvalleyfilm

Since 2000, the Hudson Valley Film Commission has been the backbone of the region’s film industry, acting as a central hub for productions large and small. This nonprofit has supported more than 500 projects by helping filmmakers secure crews, cast, locations, vendors, and post-production facilities. Their directory is an essential tool for producers, offering access to everyone from location scouts to VFX specialists. Beyond logistics, the HVFC actively promotes the region as a film destination, attracting new work to the Hudson Valley and ensuring that local talent, services, and communities benefit from the industry’s growth.

Ulster County Film Office | Kingston NY | @hudsonvalleyfilm

Filming in Ulster County is made easier thanks to the Ulster County Film Office, which works closely with the Hudson Valley Film Commission to provide hands-on support for productions. From helping secure financing, locations, and soundstages to connecting crews with accommodations and vendors, the office serves as a one-stop resource for filmmakers. Their comprehensive directory highlights everything from skilled professionals to prop houses and catering, making it simple for productions to find what they need locally. By championing affordability, accessibility, and efficiency, the Ulster County Film Office ensures that productions of all sizes can thrive in the Hudson Valley.

 

Woodstock Film Festival | Woodstock NY | @woodstockfilmfestival

Celebrated as one of the most respected regional festivals in the world, the Woodstock Film Festival has been championing independent film since 2000. Each October, the festival draws filmmakers, industry leaders, and audiences to the Hudson Valley for screenings, panels, concerts, and special events. Its mission is to present the very best of independent film while fostering career-building connections and celebrating the art of storytelling. The festival also emphasizes social responsibility, offering platforms for films that inspire dialogue and change. Known for its “fiercely independent” spirit, Woodstock has helped cement the Hudson Valley as both a birthplace and a showcase for film.

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EXPLORE THE DIRECTORY for anything you’re looking for, whether you’re living, visiting, or working in the Hudson Valley!