The General Assembly’s Economic Development Caucus will be continuing its work examining ways to boost the state’s efforts to recruit film and television projects in the new biennium, renewing its Film Industry Study Committee, originally founded in late 2023 for the 2024 short session, to focus on issues and opportunities facing the film industry in North Carolina.
The caucus’ bipartisan and bicameral Film Industry Study Committee will be co-chaired by Representative Ted Davis(Wilmington), Representative Aisha Dew (Mecklenburg), Senator Bob Brinson (Beaufort, Craven, Lenoir), and Senator Sophia Chitlik (Durham).
Other legislators who will be participating in the caucus’ study committee include Representatives Eric Ager (Buncombe), Gloristine Brown (Pitt), Kanika Brown (Forsyth), Mary Belk (Mecklenburg), Deb Butler (New Hanover), Becky Carney (Mecklenburg), Maria Cervania (Wake), Beth Helfrich (Mecklenburg), Frances Jackson (Cumberland), Jarrod Lowery (Robeson), James Roberson (Wake), Dennis Riddell (Alamance), and Diane Wheatley (Cumberland).
The committee will focus on studying and addressing key issues affecting the film industry’s growth and sustainability within the state, to include: the economic contributions of the film industry to North Carolina’s overall economic health, job creation opportunities within the film sector and related industries, and potential measures to make North Carolina a competitive destination for film production.
“I have been supporting the film industry ever since being appointed to the State House in 2012,” said Rep. Davis. “This is a clean industry, that offers many job opportunities and is an economic engine not only in New Hanover County, where I live, but the rest of our State as well.”
“North Carolina is the backdrop for many timeless films: from the mountains – Last of the Mohicans and Dirty Dancing, to the coast – Forrest Gump and Nights in Rodanthe, and everywhere in between – Bull Durham and The Hunger Games,” said Sen. Brinson. “However, movies are not just scenery, they are also important economic development projects, and I look forward to discovering new opportunities with this committee.”
“I am thrilled that the EDFT Caucus’ film industry study committee is relaunching to explore how North Carolina can continue to establish itself as an international leader in filming, pre-production, and post-production,” said Sen. Chitlik. “As the child of two entertainment industry veterans, I understand the creative and economic benefits that theater, film, television, and the creator economy bring to our state. I look forward to being part of bipartisan solutions that create thousands of living-wage jobs right here in North Carolina.”
About the Economic Development and Foreign Trade Caucus:
The North Carolina Legislative Caucus on Economic Development and Foreign Trade (or “EDFT Caucus”) is a dedicated group of 86 legislators within the North Carolina General Assembly, co-chaired by Rep. John Bell (R – Wayne), Sen. Jim Burgin (R – Harnett, Lee, Sampson), Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (D – Wake), and Rep. Robert Reives (D – Chatham, Randolph), focused on encouraging economic growth, creating jobs, promoting foreign investment and exports, and enhancing the state’s overall economic competitiveness.