New state budget boosts North Carolina film production incentives

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina’s film industry is set to receive a significant boost after Gov. Josh Stein signed the state’s new budget into law.

The budget increases the maximum grant available for feature film productions from $7 million to $20 million. It also raises the maximum grant for television series from $15 million to $25 million per season.

In addition, the budget creates a new grant program totaling about $1.2 million annually to support North Carolina-based micro-budget productions. The program is designed for projects with budgets ranging from $50,000 to $1.5 million.

Local filmmakers say the expanded incentives could make North Carolina more competitive when attracting productions that might otherwise choose to film in other states.

“Knowing that there’s rebates and incentives, it’s exactly what led us to Kentucky to come shoot this next television series, and we can’t wait to come back to North Carolina, our home in Wilmington, and use it,” said Monty Hobbs, executive producer of Just Do GOOD Entertainment and Dirty Laundry Picture Company.