Cucalorus holds panel on the state of the North Carolina film industry

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Cucalorus Festival is underway at Thalian Hall.

On Thursday,  a panel including state senator Michael Lee discussed the state of the film industry in North Carolina.

Topics that were being covered include the growing use of AI in films and how to encourage programs like Mr. Beast games to be produced here.

Lee also spoke about how legislators are looking to find ways to lure large productions to Wilmington and, most importantly, North Carolina.

He said there are several challenges the North Carolina film industry is facing.

“The competition from overseas, the exchange rate and some of those other issues that we are seeing as a country competing,” Lee said. “And then also kind of looking at what different states are doing because their incentive programs change from time to time. Also the industry is, changes and evolves as well.”

Lee said panels like this give him a good opportunity to hear from industry experts about what he and other lawmakers can do to help grow the film industry here in North Carolina.