Lost Forty Studios

Statement on Suspension of Operations

JUNE 3rd, 2026, Chisholm, MN
 

After several years of bringing film productions and creative opportunities to Northern Minnesota and the Iron Range, Lost Forty Studios will be suspending operations effective July 1, 2026.
 

This decision comes as the City of Chisholm moves forward with planned renovations to our shared space at 316 W. Lake Street. We are proud of the partnership we have built with the City of Chisholm and are grateful for their steadfast support of our vision to make the Iron Range a true destination for film production.
 

Since our founding, Lost Forty Studios has been guided by three fundamental values:

Workforce development - We invested in the people of the Iron Range through hands-on training programs designed to bring locals into the world of film production, not as bystanders, but as active, skilled contributors. We believed deeply that the people of this region deserved the opportunity to learn, train, and ultimately be hired on real productions in their own backyard. From seasoned professionals expanding their craft to first-timers stepping onto a set for the very first time, Lost Forty Studios was committed to building a local crew base capable of sustaining and growing the film industry in Northern Minnesota for years to come. And we did just that.
 

Putting Northern Minnesota on the map - Lost Forty’s collaboration with the Upper Midwest Film Office bolstered the growth of its regional film database, expanding the roster of locations, businesses, and crew available in the area, resulting in increased production inquiries and placing the Iron Range on the radar of producers and filmmakers across the country. Lost Forty Studios has directly contributed millions of dollars in regional economic activity, supported local vendors, and helped train hundreds of Minnesotans for careers in film and television.
 

Creating sustainable economic investment in our communities- Real dollars spent at local businesses. Real jobs for Iron Range residents. Real opportunities for people in Chisholm, Hibbing, Virginia, and beyond to participate in an industry that has historically bypassed regions like ours. Even while navigating the unprecedented industry-wide shutdowns brought on by the simultaneous WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the longest and most disruptive work stoppages in Hollywood history, stretching from 2023 into late 2024, and has had a lasting impact on or industry on a national level. We are proud of the economic investment.
 

A significant milestone was our role in helping secure Bill #HF 670 - SF 3144, passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023. That bill included a $2,415,000 appropriation to the City of Chisholm to renovate 316 W. Lake Street into a dedicated filmmaking and film education facility, a direct reflection of the case Lost Forty Studios helped build for the Iron Range as a legitimate, investable hub for film production. That investment stands as a lasting testament to what this community can achieve when it advocates for itself.
 

While we are incredibly proud to have played a role in securing this investment for the City of Chisholm and the Iron Range, it is bittersweet to know that we will not be here to see it come to fruition. We remain hopeful that this facility will carry forward the spirit of what we set out to build and continue to open doors for the next generation of filmmakers in our region.
 

Sustaining operations during the historic WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes was an immense challenge, one made harder by a facility that, in its current state, was pushing the limits of what

we could offer productions. It is part of why the renovations made possible by Bill #HF 670 matter so much, even if we won't be there to benefit from it.
 

Films shot in the Chisholm/Hibbing region in partnership with Lost Forty Studios:

• Cash for Gold

• Canusa Street

• The Fun-Raiser

• A Kidnapping

• Small Town Girl
 

It would be a disservice to our film community and our partners not to acknowledge the broader systemic challenges that have made this work increasingly difficult. Without a more reliable and robust state incentive structure, productions are increasingly choosing other states, taking jobs, dollars, and long-term workforce opportunities with them.

The suspension of Lost Forty Studios is not an isolated event. It underscores a critical and growing gap between Minnesota’s workforce development efforts and the policies needed to sustain them. Without alignment between state incentives and industry needs, Minnesota risks losing both its trained workforce and the infrastructure required to support a thriving production industry.

While we had hoped for more runway to fully realize our shared vision with the City of Chisholm, we understand that renovation priorities and timelines must take precedence, and we part ways with deep gratitude for everything we were able to build together.

To our vendor partners, collaborators, the wonderful business owners and neighbors of Chisholm, and to everyone who believed in what we were building, THANK YOU. This community showed up for us in ways we will never forget. Film is made possible by people coming together around a unified vision, and we should all be proud of what we accomplished during our time together.

Lost Forty Studios remains deeply committed to the future of film and creative production in Northern Minnesota. While this chapter is closing, our belief in this region and its people is unwavering.
 

For media inquiries and statistics, please contact: lostfortystudios@gmail.com