With generous incentives and a welcoming attitude, Mississippi aims to attract the next Sinners.

      Filming a movie or TV project in Mississippi means you can avoid the complications often associated with larger film centers, according to Nina Parikh, Director of the Mississippi Film Office. The state offers some of the best film incentives globally and is fully prepared for business.

      “Our communities are incredibly welcoming. When you enter a community, everyone is eager to assist,” she explains. “No one is trying to exploit you or push you away. They genuinely want to invite you in. If you’re in need of vintage furniture, they’ll say, ‘Come check out my grandmother’s house and take what you need.’”

      Mississippi provides a cash rebate ranging from 25% to 35% on all types of productions, including feature films, music videos, documentaries, and video games. Productions can receive a 25% rebate for spending on local vendors and non-resident payroll, which includes above-the-line costs. Those hiring Mississippi residents can get a 30% rebate, with an additional 5% for employing in-state veterans.

      For episodic productions, the rebate stands at 20% for non-residents and 35% for residents, also including the 5% addition for veterans.

      For instance, if you were to cast Mississippi native Morgan Freeman, an Air Force veteran, in a TV show, 40% of his pay would qualify for the rebate.

      The minimum expenditure for projects is only $50,000. The program has been operational since 2004, adapting over time to meet industry needs, including the introduction of episodic credits.

      The state has attracted a diverse array of recent film productions, thanks to its rich variety of locations, including Delta farmlands, rolling hills, serene lakes, charming town squares, Antebellum and Victorian homes, casinos, small towns, and the historic city of Oxford, noted for Ole Miss and William Faulkner.

      Hollywood visitors are often taken aback, Parikh remarks.

      “They’re always impressed, saying, ‘Wow, everything is so green.’ There are so many trees, especially for those coming from places like Los Angeles. The variety of locations here surprises people as well, from casinos to quaint towns from the late 1800s to early 1900s. We have impressive college campuses, abundant agricultural land, and stunning water features including rivers, ponds, reservoirs, lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico.”

      Mississippi and the Success of Sinners

      Moon Lake. Film Mississippi

      Mississippi is poised to capitalize on an intriguing cinematic opportunity: One of the year's major hits, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, is set in the state, yet was not filmed there. With a budget of around $90 million, Sinners could not utilize Mississippi’s film incentive program, which is capped at $20 million annually. Parikh hopes that the film's success will encourage the state legislature to recognize Mississippi's capacity to attract higher-budget projects by increasing the program’s cap.

      “They considered Mississippi, but our incentive program simply wasn't sufficient for a $90 million budget. They needed to film where they could secure the funds,” Parikh explains.

      “We’ve reached the limit of our $20 million for the past five years. With Sinners making waves, this might prompt legislators to realize, ‘Oh, we could’ve had that project. Perhaps we can attract the next one.’”

      Even though Sinners was filmed in Louisiana, Parikh believes the film's success is a significant win for Mississippi, as it employed numerous blues musicians from the state and has enhanced interest in blues music—a development that solidifies Mississippi’s status as a vital destination for music enthusiasts and scholars. Visitors often explore Clarksdale, the main location in Sinners, and they continue to flock to Tupelo, the birthplace of Elvis Presley, along with other historical sites.

      Projects Filmed in Mississippi

      Film Mississippi

      Mississippi's promise as a center for film and TV is well-illustrated by the HGTV hit Home Town, featuring Erin and Ben Napier as they renovate historic, affordable homes in Laurel, Mississippi, to highlight their true potential and charm. They prioritize recycling found materials and older fabrics to reflect local identity and history.

      The show has revitalized the town’s appeal. Parikh recalls that when she worked as a camera assistant years ago, she sometimes filmed in Laurel, which had many vacant buildings. Now, she observes, “All of those downtown buildings are occupied.”

      “There are thriving businesses,” she states. “You see license plates from across the country. It’s transformed, all thanks to Home Town and the proactive leadership in that town, seizing the opportunity. It's a remarkable example of economic growth through creative arts.”

      Recent productions filmed in Mississippi include The Ritual, a horror movie about exorcisms featuring Al Pacino and Dan Stevens, which was shot in Natchez, as well as the drama Jesus Land, which recently finished filming in Biloxi. The state’s casinos were prominently featured in Paul Schrader’s acclaimed