COLUMBUS, Ohio — The statewide “Ohio Goes to the Movies” program will host 46 free film events in March, marking the first full month of screenings for the America 250-Ohio Signature Event that runs through October, according to organizers.
In a Feb. 19 newsletter, Ohio Goes to the Movies (OGTTM) said the events will take place at venues across the state, featuring films with connections to Ohio communities, filmmakers, and history. Program Director Molly Kreuzman said the selections range from blockbusters to classics, with many screenings paired with guest speakers, panel discussions, trivia, and themed activities.
“Movies selected range from blockbusters to classics, many featuring unique community connections, as detailed in the new monthly OGTTM Official Program, an online catalog with movie descriptions, run times, and ratings, and Ohio connections,” the organization said in the newsletter.
The initiative launched Feb. 11, with hundreds of venues planning locally tailored events centered on films that share ties to Ohio. Organizers said all screenings highlight an Ohio connection, often related to the host community.
Cinemark theaters across Ohio will mark March 1, Ohio’s statehood day, with 14 films tied to Ohio figures and themes. The programming includes themed events connected to Dayton native Rob Lowe and Cincinnati native Steven Spielberg, with screenings of films such as “The Outsiders,” “Wayne’s World,” “Tommy Boy,” “Hook,” “AI” and “The Color Purple,” according to the newsletter.
Several events will also recognize Women’s History Month. The Toledo Lucas County Public Library plans a March 4 screening and panel discussion of the documentary “We Are the Toledo Troopers,” followed by a March 7 program titled From Book to Movie: “Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase,” highlighting author Mildred Wirt Benson, a Toledo native who wrote under the pen name Carolyn Keene. In Athens, the Mount Zion Black Cultural Center will host a March 6 screening of “Hidden Figures” at Athena Cinema with a guest speaker discussing careers in STEM.
Academy Award-winning films and Ohio-linked filmmakers are also featured in March programming. A circus-themed screening of “The Greatest Show on Earth,” written by Jackson native Frank Cavett, is scheduled for March 8 at the Markay Cultural Arts Center in Jackson. Additional events include a Kent State University Museum program on March 26 centered on Katharine Hepburn and a March 28 screening of “Mutiny on the Bounty” in Cadiz, highlighting Ohio-born actor Clark Gable.
Communities across the state selected films with local historical or cultural connections, including a March 12 screening of “Welcome to Collinwood” at the Cleveland History Center and a March 29 showing of “Battle Hymn” at Peoples Bank Theatre in Marietta, which originally premiered in the city in 1957.
The program also highlights films made in Ohio, such as “Touchback” in Coshocton and “Without Her” in Chillicothe, the latter featuring a post-screening discussion with filmmakers and a donation drive tied to local issues, according to the newsletter.
“Our venue hosts selected a wide range of movie titles offering something for everyone! Ohio Goes to the Movies will deliver. You will be entertained and can share a fun movie experience with family, friends, and community. You can discover Ohio’s small towns and large cities and their unique culture and attractions. It’s an economical road trip for solo travelers or multigenerational families, and everyone is invited to attend as many events as they like,” Kreuzman said in the newsletter.
A full schedule of events is available below:
