On the heels of a nearly five-month strike by the Screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild of America, the film industry’s progress slowed to a crawl in most of the U.S. But in the Magnolia State, a commitment to independent films resulted in another busy year.
From Jim Henson to Jimmy Buffet, Eudora Welty to Elvis Presley, Mississippi has long been known for world-renowned artists, musicians, and writers. But the state is quietly hewing a foothold in another creative realm — film.
Nina Parikh, director of the Mississippi Film Office, says the latest example of Mississippi’s rise in the world of screen art is bucking the industry trend of slowed production. A commitment to independent filmmaking has made it possible for producers and writers to bring their work to life in what some might consider an unlikely setting.
“We’ve been so fortunate. Across the nation and across the world, the film industry has been slowed down,” Parikh explained on The Gallo Show. “Here in Mississippi, we’ve actually had projects throughout the course of the year. I’m really proud that we’re not dependent on the Marvel movies or the big studios. We are really focused on independent films.”
The dedication to indie filmmaking, along with Mississippi’s wealth of unique settings, resources, and local artists, is a sweet spot that has enabled growth in a time of stagnation.
“I think most people are like, ‘What? There are movies being made in Mississippi?’ Even Mississippians don’t realize that this is happening in the state,” Parikh, a Mississippian and Southern Miss film program graduate, said. “It’s something we’re real proud of.”
Film in Mississippi dates all the way back to 1914 with the filming of Gentleman from Mississippi, and a long list of landmark films have since, such as A Time to Kill, The Help, O, Brother Where Art Thou?, and My Dog Skip. In 2024, feature films Dirty, starring Theo Rossi and Ron Perlman, Tempest, starring Jacob Buster, and the yet-to-be-released Hotel Tehran, starring Liam Neeson and Zachary Levi, made their home in The Hospitality State.
Several other films, according to Parikh, seemingly “popped up out of nowhere” at the end of the year to film in the state. Those movies, one of which will star Emmy Winner Josh Duhamel, were led by producers who have worked in Mississippi many times over. Another is being brought to life by Mississippi native producer and writer Amile Wilson.
While the Parikh and the Mississippi Film Office have played a direct role in reeling in production, the surge has taken a village to pull off. Parikh pointed to the continued formation and improvement of educational programs across the state, along with support from municipal governments and contributions from the Mississippi legislature. Specifically, a $20 million cash rebate program has helped entice film creators.
And for those who haven’t yet had a hand in making films in Mississippi, there’s a spot for you, too.
“Essentially, whatever your interest or talents are, there’s a job in the film industry for you,” Parikh said, noting opportunities such as cooking, cosmetology, wardrobe, electrician work, pyrotechnics, and more. “It really is a place where all arts come together.”
Parikh estimates upwards of a $90 million annual economic impact on the state from the film industry, alongside creating more than 1,000 direct and secondary jobs, with those numbers continuing to grow every year.
“I am expecting 2025 to be another busy year,” Parikh concluded. “We’re getting a lot of inquiries. A lot of scripts are being sent in… I can’t see anything but growth for this industry. It’s a very exciting time.”
