(Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Stefan Weinberger)
A feature film that quietly transformed parts of Bellefontaine into a working movie set last spring is now screening at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, giving viewers a chance to see a project filmed in Logan and Union counties reach a national audience.
Union County follows Cody Parsons, portrayed by Will Poulter, a man navigating a county-mandated drug court program as he works toward recovery amid the opioid epidemic in rural Ohio. The film focuses on the realities of addiction and recovery, showing both progress and setbacks faced by individuals moving through treatment and the justice system.
The film is directed by Adam Meeks, who set the project in his hometown after years of research and personal connection to the subject matter. Meeks said he was compelled to tell the story after learning about family members and friends affected by opioid addiction, including loved ones of relatives living in Marysville.
“I was interested in what was happening in this part of Ohio in terms of the opioid epidemic,” Meeks said during filming. “So I came and stayed with my aunt and uncle, and that’s when I was introduced to the drug court judge in Logan County.”
That introduction led Meeks to observe proceedings overseen by Logan County Common Pleas Judge William Goslee, whose courtroom left a lasting impression on the filmmaker. Meeks also met Annette Deao, program director for the county’s drug court, whom he credited with helping open doors and providing access to better understand the program.
Filming in Bellefontaine began April 21 and wrapped on May 16, 2025, with several locations used throughout the city and county. One of the most visible shoots took place at a historic home on East Chillicothe Avenue, where local law enforcement temporarily blocked the street as cast and crew worked quietly inside. On the evening of May 15, residents walking past the home encountered flashing police lights, production equipment, and an unusual stillness as scenes were filmed.
Inside the home, actor Poulter performed a scene in near silence as crew members monitored a small television and cameras rolled. The house — owned by Ron Bensman and held by his family for generations — served as the recovery home where Parsons’ character lives in the film. The location was selected in part because it sits just a few doors down from an actual Logan County recovery house.
The project drew curiosity throughout the community, though many residents were unaware that a movie production featuring well-known Hollywood talent was taking place locally. Logan County Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted with temporary street closures at several filming sites, and residents gathered nearby to watch scenes being shot.
The film blends scripted storytelling with documentary elements, featuring several Logan County residents portraying themselves on screen. Annette Deao and Logan County Common Pleas Judge Kevin Braig appear in the film, while other residents answered a local casting call in April for background roles. Former Bellefontaine Mayor Ben Stahler was among those selected.
“It was kind of comical,” Stahler said of his experience during filming. “We had to repeat the scene seven or eight times. Each take was slightly different. We might be asked to walk faster or slower, to look down or to the left.”
The crew also filmed the Logan County adult recovery program graduation ceremony at Myeerah Nature Preserve on May 5, capturing moments of success alongside the struggles depicted in the film.
Though Meeks wrote the screenplay, Union County evolved from a 14-minute short film released in 2020 into a full-length feature after he determined the subject matter warranted deeper exploration.
“It’s a story of hope, and it illuminates the tough, real issues people across the country are facing,” producer Faye Tsakas said. “And it highlights the work people are doing to help addicts get back on their feet.”
According to Tsakas, one of Meeks’ guiding principles during production was the idea that “the opposite of addiction is connection,” a theme reflected in the community-centered approach to filming. Logan County, she said, proved to be an ideal place to tell that story.
How to watch
Union County is screening at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival with both in-person and online viewing options. The film will be available to the public through Sundance’s online platform from Thursday, Jan. 29 through Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. Viewers must purchase a Sundance online ticket or pass through the festival to stream the film during the available window.
Additional local connections at Sundance
In addition to Union County, Sundance this year also includes a documentary The History of Concrete, a subject of particular interest in Bellefontaine and Logan County.
Bellefontaine is widely recognized as the site of the first concrete street in the United States, poured in the 1890s under the direction of local innovator George W. Bartholomew. That early experiment helped demonstrate the durability of concrete paving and contributed to its adoption nationwide. While it is not yet known whether Bellefontaine’s role is specifically referenced in the documentary, the topic reflects a chapter of local history that placed the community on the national map.
Among those attending Sundance screenings connected to Union County is Laird A. Lile, a Naples, Fla., attorney with longstanding ties to Logan County. Lile is the son of Nancy Nicholl Lile and the late Levi Lile, who practiced law in Logan County for more than 50 years. He is also a first cousin of Mick Lile, a longtime local auctioneer and member of Bellefontaine City Council.
According to Tsakas, members of the production plan to return to Bellefontaine for a future screening at the Holland Theatre following the film’s wider release.
🎬 About the Cast
Will Poulter
Will Poulter is an English actor whose film and television credits include Son of Rambow (2007), The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010), We’re the Millers (2013), The Maze Runner series (2014–2018), The Revenant (2015), Detroit (2017), Midsommar (2019), and Dopesick (2021). Poulter stars in Union County, which is screening at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
Noah Centineo
Noah Centineo is an American actor best known for his breakout role in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018) and its sequels (2020, 2021). His credits also include Sierra Burgess Is a Loser (2018), The Perfect Date (2019), Netflix’s The Recruit (2022–2024), and the DC film Black Adam (2022). Centineo co-stars in Union County, filmed in part in Bellefontaine and Union County.
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival takes place in-person in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, from Jan. 22 to Feb. 1. This marks the final year the festival will be held in Utah before moving to Boulder, Colo., in 2027.
2026 Sundance Film Festival program guide
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