Friend Thing Film Completed Seattle Production
The independent feature filmed in the city over the summer after a state incentive expansion.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Remote Work
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The independent feature film Friend Thing wrapped production in Seattle during the summer of 2026. The project took advantage of state financial assistance designed to attract more film work to the region.
Why it matters
Washington officials expanded the film incentive program in 2022 to keep pace with other states competing for production business. This legislative push aims to boost local employment in a market where global output remains below 2022 levels.
Washington state increased its Motion Picture Competitiveness Program funding cap from $3.5 million to $15 million in 2022. Since that expansion, the state has seen a 600% rise in approved projects and a 272% increase in local crew jobs.
The players
Harry Calbom
He is the director of the film Friend Thing who chose to shoot in Seattle because it is the city where he grew up.
Washington Filmworks
This is the entity responsible for reporting data on the state's film incentive program and managing approved production projects.
Seattle Film Office
This local government agency is responsible for issuing master film permits and managing production logistics within the city limits.
The details
Director Harry Calbom utilized the local incentive program to shoot the story, which is set in 1996. To achieve the period-accurate look, crews removed modern cars, installed 1990s vehicles, and placed a double-decker bus on city streets.
Timeline
The story of the film Friend Thing is set in 1996.
Washington state increased its film incentive funding cap in 2022.
Seattle issued 360 master film permits in 2025.
Production for Friend Thing took place in Seattle in the summer of 2026.
The state film incentive program is legislated to run through 2030.
Market Landscape
The rise in regional film activity follows the expansion of the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program, which allows Washington to better compete with neighboring jurisdictions for production budgets. While commercial work currently dominates the local permit share at 54%, the success of narrative features suggests a shift in the state's industrial footprint.
Increased film activity may lead to more local job opportunities for residents in the creative and production sectors. However, residents should anticipate occasional localized street closures and logistics adjustments as production companies continue to utilize city permits.
The takeaway
The return of feature film production to Seattle highlights the effectiveness of state-level financial incentives in attracting creative projects. These programs create a competitive environment for local crew labor even as the broader global production market faces stagnation.
Further reading
For more on how local policies impact industry job growth, visit the Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOMO.
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