COLUMBUS, Ohio — From bald eagles to fireflies and forests, stories of Ohio’s outdoors will soon be featured on the big screen.
“Ohio: Wild at Heart,” an IMAX film highlighting the state’s wildlife and natural beauty, will debut in select theaters this fall and winter. The film is a partnership between the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and MacGillivray Freeman Films, an independent production company based in California.
“I think some people will sit there and say, ‘Wow, I didn’t even know that was in our state,’” said Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “We’re excited about the opportunity to share with people how beautiful Ohio is.”
The film is narrated by Ohio native Archie Griffin, known for his football career with the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Bengals. While the department frequently produces videos for events and educational programming, “Ohio: Wild at Heart” marks its first feature made for theatrical release.
Mertz said the idea for the film originated during the first year of Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration in 2019, when he identified education as a department priority. Filming began in July 2024.
“We found lots of new and different ways to educate the public, and this was one of those ideas,” Mertz said.
The film will feature conservation success stories in Ohio, including those of bald eagles and trumpeter swans, as well as preservation efforts for forests and behind-the-scenes work by ODNR naturalists. Lake Erie and the cliffs and waterfalls of Hocking Hills will also be featured, according to a news release.
A portion of the film will focus on how Ohio residents and visitors can enjoy the state’s outdoors through activities such as ice fishing, mountain biking and kayaking, Mertz said.
“The theme of the whole movie is we do all this work to preserve and restore nature because nature is a great way to restore ourselves,” Mertz said. “We can get a lot of mental health benefits, physical health benefits, a lot of peace — nature is good for all of us.”
Mertz said she views the film as an “economic driver” for Ohio’s tourism industry, adding that some out-of-state visitors may see the film and be inspired to visit the state.
“What I’m hoping is people will see what’s right here, and they’re going to be amazed and astounded and say, ‘Wow, I live in a beautiful place,’ or, ‘I have access to a beautiful place,’” Mertz said.
Central Ohio residents can see the film at COSI on Saturday, Nov. 8. The movie’s website lists four Columbus-area screenings as “coming soon” at AMC theaters in Dublin, Hilliard Green, Grove City and Easton Town Center.
Other confirmed showtimes include:
– Imagination Station in Toledo, Friday, Oct. 10
– Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton, Sunday, Oct. 19
– Cincinnati Museum Center, Friday, Oct. 24
– Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Saturday, Nov. 15
The official trailer and additional information about “Ohio: Wild at Heart” are available online.
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