Travis Kelce Makes Film Production Debut With ‘My Dead Friend Zoe’ Premiering at SXSW

Travis Kelce, known for his prowess on the football field with the Kansas City Chiefs, is making a significant move into filmmaking with his debut as an executive producer on the film ‘My Dead Friend Zoe.’ The 34-year-old Super Bowl champion’s venture will be showcased at South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, on 9th March marking a new chapter in his career.

Directed by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, the movie not only brings Kelce into the film production realm but also makes history as the first film financed through renewable energy tax credits, a unique aspect confirmed by PEOPLE. Investors leveraged the Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Joe Biden in August 2022, utilizing funds from entrepreneur Mike Field’s surplus tax credits sale. Field, also a producer on the film, contributed to this groundbreaking approach to film financing.

The Inflation Reduction Act touted as the “single largest investment in climate and energy in American history,” aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s climate goals. It emphasizes advancing environmental justice, securing the nation’s position in clean energy manufacturing and aiming for a net-zero economy by 2050, according to the Department of Energy.

Taking a calculated approach to Hollywood’s inherent risks, producer Ray Maiello emphasized that federal tax credits substantially mitigate the risks associated with independent films, bringing the risk level down significantly.

This isn’t Kelce’s first foray into show business; he previously hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’ in March 2023. In a recent statement, he expressed his enjoyment of exploring opportunities beyond sports, stating, “The SNL stuff kind of opened up a new happiness and a new career path for me.”

According to a source cited by PEOPLE in January, Kelce plans to delve further into acting and hosting post-retirement, inspired by his positive experiences, especially during his SNL appearance.

Also Read: Taylor Swift Recalls ‘Accidental’ Clubbing with Travis Kelce and His Parents

‘My Dead Friend Zoe,’ written by Hausmann-Stokes and AJ Bermudez, boasts a star-studded cast including Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman, Utkarsh Ambudkar and Gloria Reuben.

The film’s logline teases a mysterious relationship between a female Afghanistan veteran and her wise-cracking, deceased best friend from the Army, leading to a reluctant reunion with her estranged Vietnam vet grandfather at the family’s ancestral lake house.

– Farheen Ali