Meet the Founders

Jennifer O'Neill, Co-Founder, Member Partner, and CEO, brings exceptional financial expertise and entrepreneurial drive to the company. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Boston University in 2004 and her MBA from Canisius University in 2006. An Enrolled Agent with a background in tax services and distressed property investments. She spearheaded early fundraising and oversees finance, production scheduling, location scouting, vendor coordination, and guiding productions through New York's incentives. Her leadership has scaled Buffalo FilmWorks from its 2018 launch with a single stage to over 200,000 sq ft of soundstage space plus 60,000 sq ft of support areas.

Kevin Callahan, Co-Founder and COO, leads strategic direction and handles the day-to-day operations across the stages, ensuring productions run smoothly and efficiently from pre-production through wrap. A lifelong Western New Yorker with a bachelor's degree from Canisius College and more than 30 years of experience in the demolition and redevelopment business—including revitalizing major industrial sites like the former Buffalo China factory—Kevin's hands-on expertise was key to transforming abandoned warehouses into world-class facilities. He oversees facility expansions (such as one of the longest soundstages in the U.S.), daily stage management, crew coordination, technical support, and on-site problem-solving to keep shoots on schedule and under budget. His operational focus has made Buffalo FilmWorks a reliable partner for high-profile projects like A Quiet Place II and Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, while driving the studio's expansion and contributing to Western New York's film and TV boom.

Together with co-founder George Pittas, Jennifer and Kevin turned an unexpected opportunity into a thriving enterprise since launching in 2017/2018. As a Women owned business and NYS Qualified Production Facility in the enhanced 40% tax credit zone, Buffalo FilmWorks qualifies productions for New York State incentives plus the federal Section 181 tax benefit—making it an unbeatable destination for cost-effective, high-quality production.

Their shared commitment to Western New York has not only created jobs and economic impact but also put Buffalo on the map as "the Hollywood of Upstate." Passionate about storytelling, innovation, and community, Jennifer and Kevin continue to expand the studio's capabilities and welcome the next generation of filmmakers.