The North Carolina film scene is expecting a significant uptick in activity, as the Governor's office just announced that new film grants will back several productions slated to take place across the state in late 2025. Governor Josh Stein expressed his enthusiasm about the impact of these projects, stating, "We are excited to have these new productions in North Carolina creating 4,900 jobs for our state's crew and film-friendly businesses." According to the Governor's Office official release, the productions are projected to inject over $113 million into the local economy.
Among the beneficiaries are two television/streaming series, "The Hunting Wives," entering its second season with $15 million in grant funds, and a new series, "RJ Decker," which bagged an $11.6 million grant. Despite the excitement surrounding these grants, it was not detailed by the press release which specific small businesses would see the direct benefits from these productions. Additionally, the independent thriller "Widow" wraps up the list with $1.8 million in grant support. These high-profile projects are part of a broader strategy to bolster North Carolina's reputation as a hub for film and television production, a vision strongly supported by the NC Film Office and the Department of Commerce.
North Carolina Commerce Secretary, Lee Lilley, emphasized the dual benefit of these productions, saying, "These productions bring direct economic benefits and also raise the state’s visibility among audiences, leading to increased tourist activity and visitor spending over time." This statement echoes the sentiment that the entertainment industry not only offers short-term job creation but also long-term economic growth through heightened tourism and heightened small businesses, validation for artistic locales, as per the Governor's Office.
This push for increased film activity comes on the heels of the release of "Merv," a project that filmed in New Hanover County in 2024 and released on December 10 on Amazon’s Prime Video. Significant to the grand scheme of North Carolina's film ecosystem, "Merv" joins a suite of other NC-filmed content now available to audiences, courtesy of the generous state film grants. Guy Gaster, the North Carolina Film Office Director, touted the program's efficacy, saying, "These latest awardees are helping us close out 2025 strongly and giving us a head start on activity for 2026." This dynamic, Gaster implies, underscores the grants' vital role in setting North Carolina as an enticing stage for storytellers in the years to come, as noted by the Governor's Office.
