January 2026: Welcome to the New Year
- The Flight Crew
- Jan 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 2
Happy New Year! From all of us on the flight deck, we hope you are off to an incredible start. As we taxi onto the runway of 2026, the Flyover team is thrilled to share our favorite accomplishments from a record-breaking 2025 and reveal our flight path for the exciting year ahead.
Exciting destinations await in 2026 - Keep your eyes on the horizon!
🏆 2025: A Year of Excellence
The industry is taking notice of what we are building here in Rantoul. We are humbled to have closed out 2025 with significant recognition from our community and peers:
RACC Business of the Year: We were honored to take home the gold as the 2025 Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. This award validates our commitment to creating jobs and generating local economic impact.
Best of 2025: Smile Politely named Flyover Film Studios the BEST development in the local film economy for 2025.
🏭 Studio Growth: Incentives, Infrastructure & Impact
The "Flyover Advantage" has never been stronger. We are starting 2026 with a powerful combination of new state incentives, upgraded facilities, and proven economic results.
The 40% Advantage: Thanks to the newly passed Senate Bill 1911, Illinois now offers a 35% tax credit, but productions filming at Flyover in Rantoul can unlock an additional 5% non-collar county bonus, bringing the labor credit to nearly 40%.
Turnkey Ready: We have spent 2025 ensuring you can "walk in and start shooting." Our facility now boasts 20,000 sq. ft. of production office space and a massive 9,000 sq. ft. wardrobe department with on-site laundry. We have also added ready-to-shoot standing sets, including a 737 Airplane Interior, Jail Cell, Hospital Room, and Police Interrogation Room.
🎬 Production Highlights: Lights, Camera, Action
Flyover hosted everything from major motion pictures to music videos this past year. Here is a look at what has been happening on our sound stages and in the surrounding areas of Rantoul, Mahomet, and Champaign:
Coming Soon to Your Screen
We were proud to host the production of this major feature directed by Yelena Popovic. The project features an all-star cast including Omar Epps, Wiz Khalifa, Quavo, and Chukwudi Iwuji, with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson serving as Executive Producer.
🔥 Special Theatrical Event: We are excited to announce that Moses the Black will be hitting the big screen nationwide via Fathom Events from January 30th – February 5th.
🎟️ Get Tickets: Do not miss your chance to see this Flyover production in theaters! You can reserve your seats for a local screening by visiting the Fathom Entertainment release page and entering your zip code to find the nearest participating theater.
This feature film utilized our facilities extensively, and we were delighted to host State Rep. Sharon Chung and Mayor Dan Brady on set during filming in July.
A feature film trailer directed and written by Vijay Rajan, shot on location in March 2025.
Music Videos
We turned up the volume in-house with productions for Anamanaguchi, Dying Wish, and Champaign’s own talent Jill Greenlee while supporting out-of-town productions for Knocked Loose.
See some of the fine work of the Flyover workforce in ads for Rivian, Salesforce, and NorthWestern Mutual.
🏗️ Hangar Updates: "First Class" Upgrades
To support these high-level productions, we have invested heavily in our infrastructure. 2025 saw massive upgrades to ensure our facility remains a premier destination for filmmakers:
Production Power: We have upgraded our electrical capacity with two new 400a services and added exterior and interior LED lighting.
Costumes: Our wardrobe section now features "First Class" amenities, including on-site washer/dryer units and new changing rooms.
Logistics: We have streamlined operations by adding industrial shelving, pallet racking, and a secure lockup. We also acquired over 100 carts to keep productions moving.
New Standing Sets: We are excited to announce our NEXT standing sets: "Family Dining room", “Urban Loft” and a "Prison Cell," offering ready-to-shoot environments for upcoming scripts.
🤝 Community & Crew Manifest
Building a film hub is about more than just buildings; it is about people.
Political Support: We hosted facility tours for over 25 individuals, including investors, creatives, State Senator Paul Faraci (who noted our work growing production in Champaign County), and Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady. State Representative Sharon Chung and Mayor Brady also toured Flyover Film Studios, including the Chili Finger set, in early July. Rep. Chung shared a positive review of her experience at the Rantoul, Illinois studio, available here.
Developing Talent: Our 2025 Internship program was a massive success. A special shoutout to Finn, Carolyn, Francisco, Drew, and Lexi, who jumped straight into roles on active projects.
Community Engagement: We maintained a strong local presence through the RCHS Job Fair, speaking events, and school presentations. You can also catch Rob & Sarah discussing our growth on the Chambana Proud Podcast.
🎦Stay Tuned
Join us at the FILMWORKERS EXPO on Jan. 17th!
Seasonal Career development and education offerings.
A First Look at the Filmmaker's Wellness Cohort
And more FREE Community learning!
Thank you for flying the friendly skies!
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