Travis Kelce, the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and boyfriend of Taylor Swift, is venturing into Hollywood as an executive producer for the indie film “My Dead Friend Zoe.” The movie, starring Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales, Ed Harris, and Morgan Freeman, is set to premiere at SXSW and is Kelce’s first foray into the film industry.
Kelce and other investors, including green energy entrepreneur Mike Field, are utilizing President Joe Biden’s renewable energy tax credits to finance the film. The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, is the largest investment in climate and energy in American history, aiming to address the climate crisis, promote environmental justice, and position the U.S. as a leader in clean energy.
The film’s budget is under $10 million, and the financing strategy involves using money generated from the sale of surplus tax credits by Mike Field. The Inflation Reduction Act aims to reduce the risks associated with film production, particularly in the independent film sector, making Hollywood investments more attractive.
Kelce, along with producer Ray Maiello and Mike Field, plans to apply the same strategy to finance another film, a Jean-Michel Basquiat documentary titled “King Pleasure.” This initiative could set a trend in Hollywood, encouraging the use of the Inflation Reduction Act to raise funds for independent films.
The film “My Dead Friend Zoe,” directed by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, explores the story of a female Afghanistan veteran encountering her Vietnam vet grandfather at the family’s ancestral lake house. It will premiere at SXSW on March 9 and is produced by Legion M, with CAA handling its sales.
While Kelce has confirmed his return to the NFL for the 2024-25 season with the Kansas City Chiefs, he is making strides in Hollywood, following in the footsteps of athletes like Tom Brady, who has also ventured into film production. Kelce is represented by CAA in his Hollywood endeavors.
