West Virginia Made Films Climb Netflix Charts as Tinnell Brothers Encourage Growth of State’s Film Industry

March 30, 2026 - Some may think film production only happens in major cities or on Hollywood sound stages. But in recent years, West Virginia has quietly been building its own reputation as a place where stories come to life on screen.

At a recent Thinking Outside the Lunchbox event at the UC Downtown Innovation Hub, brothers Robert and Jeffrey Tinnell of Allegheny Image Factory shared how that momentum is continuing to grow, pointing to the success of their latest projects filmed in the Mountain State.

The Fairmont-based production company currently has two of the top ten films on Netflix, Gaslit by My Husband and The Bad Guardian, an achievement that underscores both the brothers' vision and the expanding role West Virginia is playing in film production.

Joined by Meghan Smith, Manager of Business Development at West Virginia Economic Development, the Tinnells discussed how filmmaking can create opportunities not only for creatives, but also for local businesses and communities willing to support productions.

"One of the most important aspects of filmmaking is networking and building relationships that you can rely on," said Robert Tinnell. "In West Virginia, it is not just the state tax credits that attract filmmakers. Communities here are welcoming and cooperative. Production can be disruptive, but people are willing to help, whether that means shutting down roads, providing access to locations, or simply making crews feel at home. That spirit is quite special, and it is a big reason productions succeed here."

That spirit has been part of the brothers' journey from the beginning. Their introduction to the industry came in the early 1980s, when they drove 200 miles round trip to serve as extras in George Romero's Knightriders. What began as curiosity eventually became a career built on persistence, relationships, and a belief that meaningful production work could take place in West Virginia.

The Tinnells emphasized that opportunities in film extend far beyond acting roles.

"We are entering the age of the generalist," Robert Tinnell said. "Production companies need people who can edit film and change a tire. People with a range of skills and talents are valuable on any crew. There is also strong demand for behind-the-scenes support, from catering and lodging to carpentry, transportation, security, and more."

For communities and entrepreneurs across the state, the ripple effects of film production can be significant, bringing new business opportunities while helping showcase West Virginia's landscapes, towns, and talent to national audiences.

"It is hard work," Jeffrey Tinnell added, "but it is a field that offers real opportunity for West Virginians and West Virginia businesses."

As the industry continues to evolve, the brothers encouraged students, creators, and business leaders to view West Virginia not just as a filming location, but as a place where the next generation of stories can begin.