‘Film is here to stay’: Once a big part of the economy, NC’s film industry is making a comeback

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WNCN) — Perhaps you’ve recognized the lush western North Carolina landscape while watching movies like “Dirty Dancing” or “The Hunger Games.” Or maybe you’ve been transported to the North Carolina coast while watching coming-of-age dramas like “Dawson’s Creek” or “One Tree Hill.”

“North Carolina’s a great place to do business, especially film business. There’s just so many different things that you can film here in this state, from the mountains to the coast to big city scenes,” said Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo on Thursday. “It’s just a great place to do filming.”