Cleveland tries to jump-start local film industry

CLEVELAND (AP) — Financially hard-pressed Cleveland is offering $1.2 million in loan guarantees to jump-start a film industry in the city.

A Cleveland City Council committee voted Tuesday to approve the backing for three feature-length films to be produced by Nehst Studios.

One film is a romantic comedy starring Vivica A. Fox, another is based on a children’s book, and the third project is a horror flick starring Dee Snider, lead singer of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister.

The New York-based production company has established an office in Cleveland and will shoot the films in the Cleveland area.

The guarantee is for 10 percent of the combined budget for the three films. It’s the first time Cleveland has made such a guarantee.