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Filmmaker Shot Scenes in Downtown Kennewick

In April 2026, a production crew utilized historic sites to film scenes for the upcoming movie Fate Gambit: First Move.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A weathered brick historic building facade stands on a quiet, empty downtown street at dawn.
Filmmaker Bryan McGlothin filmed scenes for 'Fate Gambit: First Move' in downtown Kennewick this April, signaling growth for the local film industry. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Filmmaker Bryan McGlothin brought his production crew to downtown Kennewick in April 2026 to film scenes for his movie, "Fate Gambit: First Move." The project utilized the former Washington Hardware building as a primary location during the shoot.

Why it matters

Local advocates aim to transform the Tri-Cities into a regional hub for the film industry to drive economic growth. Supporters believe that hosting productions encourages spending on local lodging, food, and professional services.

The production operated on a $100,000 budget, utilizing incentives from Washington Filmworks that offer rebates of up to 45% on qualified state spending. The filming scene involved three actors and several pieces of specialized equipment.

The players

Bryan McGlothin

He is the filmmaker who directed and led the production of "Fate Gambit: First Move" in the Mid-Columbia region.

Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership

This organization manages local redevelopment efforts and established the South Columbia Creative District in 2021.

Washington Filmworks

This organization manages a $15 million annual fund to provide financial incentives for film and television projects in the state.

The details

The production team worked with the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership to secure permits and identify the former Washington Hardware building as a backdrop. During the shoot, the crew integrated a vintage sports car and a firearm prop into the scene to complete the production requirements.

Timeline

  1. The film "Hello, My Name is Frank" was shot in 2013.

  2. The documentary "I Am Road Comic" was produced in 2014.

  3. The South Columbia Creative District was established in 2021.

  4. Scenes for "Fate Gambit" were filmed in Kennewick in April 2026.

  5. The film is tentatively scheduled for release in 2027.

Market Landscape

The project reflects an industry trend of seeking diverse filming locations outside of traditional hubs like Spokane. This move positions Kennewick to compete for a share of the production spending supported by the state's $15 million incentive pool.

While filming may result in temporary road or sidewalk access adjustments in downtown areas, such projects aim to boost local hospitality and service businesses. Residents may notice increased activity at local venues when film crews utilize area services for their production needs.

The takeaway

Smaller film productions can serve as a testing ground for regions to attract larger studio projects in the future. Local businesses should remain prepared for sudden increases in demand for food and lodging services when crews arrive for location shoots.

Further reading

For more on local development, see the latest updates in Kennewick Openings & Closings.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.

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Should your community actively incentivize small film production projects to spur local economic growth?