Charlotte, NC, February 14, 2026
North Carolina’s film and television industry has seen significant growth, with Charlotte emerging as a key player in this economic surge. The film sector has generated millions in spending and thousands of jobs, presenting new opportunities for local entrepreneurs. The support from private investment and the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant has positioned Charlotte as a prime location for productions, enhancing the city’s economic landscape.
Charlotte’s Spotlight: Fueling NC’s Film & TV Economic Surge
As North Carolina’s film and television industry experiences a substantial increase in spending, Charlotte stands ready to harness this momentum, offering new avenues for local entrepreneurs and driving economic prosperity.
North Carolina’s vibrant economy is continually evolving, with local entrepreneurs demonstrating remarkable determination and resilience in adapting to new opportunities. Among these emerging sectors, the film and television production industry is making a significant impact statewide, translating into robust economic activity and job creation. For Charlotte NC business owners and North Carolina entrepreneurs, understanding this growth is crucial for tapping into new revenue streams and fostering broader economic growth. By cultivating a dynamic environment that champions private investment and innovation, the state and its key urban centers like Charlotte are positioning themselves to attract more creative projects and the diverse economic benefits they bring.
North Carolina’s Cinematic Renaissance
The film and television industry across North Carolina has experienced substantial growth in recent years, demonstrating its increasing contribution to the state’s economy. In 2025, direct in-state spending from film and television production activity generated an estimated $185.5 million. This investment created over 7,000 job opportunities across the state. Production activity in 2025 took place in nearly half of North Carolina’s 100 counties, spanning 45 counties, with 38 productions filmed across the state.
Looking back, 2024 saw even more significant investment, with film productions across North Carolina generating more than $302 million in direct in-state spending. This marked the second-highest year-end total since the state’s current film grant program began in 2015, and the third-highest total since 2000, when North Carolina first introduced film incentives. Over 55 productions were welcomed in the state in 2024. Since 2017, movie, television, and streaming productions have invested more than $1.4 billion in the state, while creating nearly 97,000 jobs for skilled film professionals and background talent. Prior to that, filmmakers spent over $258 million on productions in North Carolina in 2022, creating 16,000 job opportunities, including 3,000 crew and talent positions. In 2021, the state saw a record-breaking investment of $409 million from film and television production, which created over 25,000 job opportunities.
Charlotte’s Growing Role in Production
Charlotte is increasingly becoming a focal point in North Carolina’s burgeoning film and television landscape. Several productions have chosen the Charlotte area, which falls within the state’s Southwest region, for filming. In 2025, “Top Chef – Season 23” filmed in the Southwest region, and “The Hunting Wives” (Season 2) also began filming there, along with the feature film “Bad Counselors.” The series “Blue Ridge” was filmed in the greater Charlotte area in early Spring 2023.
The city’s readiness to accommodate and support such projects has been acknowledged, with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles noting in 2021 the growth in the local film industry, particularly concerning job creation and economic impact. She credited investments made by the Charlotte Regional Film Commission and the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant for providing opportunities for success in television and movie production. Charlotte is recognized as one of the main production hubs in North Carolina, alongside Wilmington. This foundation, combined with a robust infrastructure and a growing pool of creative talent, positions Charlotte as a prime location for continued expansion in the industry.
The Economic Multiplier Effect for Small Businesses
The influx of film and television productions acts as a significant economic multiplier, particularly benefiting Charlotte small business owners and a wide array of local enterprises. These productions require extensive services and goods, injecting capital into diverse sectors. From catering companies providing meals for cast and crew to local transportation and logistics firms, and from construction companies building sets to hospitality businesses offering accommodation, the demand for services is broad. This dynamic illustrates how the private sector, fueled by film production spending, creates a ripple effect that supports local economies and fosters entrepreneurial activity across North Carolina. The engagement of numerous vendors and service providers highlights the film industry’s role in creating a vibrant ecosystem where local businesses can thrive by supporting larger creative endeavors.
Entrepreneurship and Job Creation
The expanding North Carolina film industry is a fertile ground for entrepreneurship and diverse job creation. Beyond direct cast and crew positions, the industry stimulates the development of ancillary businesses, such as specialized equipment rental services, post-production studios, and talent agencies. These opportunities attract North Carolina entrepreneurs and skilled professionals seeking to apply their expertise in a growing field. The demand for various roles, from technical crew to administrative support, provides substantial employment opportunities, supporting a robust workforce and contributing to personal achievement within the state. This environment fosters innovation as individuals and small businesses adapt to meet the unique needs of film and television production.
Navigating Incentives and Fostering Growth
North Carolina utilizes the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant to attract feature film and television/streaming productions. This grant program, which began its current version in 2015, provides financial assistance to stimulate economic activity and create jobs. It is structured so that production companies do not receive money upfront; instead, grants are paid as a rebate after the project’s completion and a successful audit of spending. Grants can be valued up to $7 million for movies and $15 million for television series.
While proponents of such programs emphasize the economic activity and job creation they generate, particularly highlighting how they support the small businesses surrounding and supporting production sets, there are differing perspectives on the overall economic impact. Some studies indicate that film incentives consistently show little to no positive economic impact. For instance, some cost-benefit analyses estimate that for every dollar North Carolina provides film-production companies, only $0.22 is generated for the state. Furthermore, some research suggests that the period before film incentives, from 1990 to 2004, consistently generated more jobs than the period after credits and grants were offered, from 2005 to 2023. Academic studies nationwide on film subsidies have found no positive impact on the film industry or the overall economy. This highlights an ongoing discussion regarding the most effective strategies for fostering sustainable economic growth and ensuring that investments yield broad public benefit.
Charlotte’s Future in Film
As North Carolina continues to see significant investment in film and television, Charlotte is strategically positioned to secure a larger share of this growing industry. The city’s blend of urban and natural settings, coupled with a dedicated workforce and entrepreneurial ecosystem, makes it an attractive destination for productions. The ambition seen in regions like the Piedmont Triad to expand cinematic influence by fostering local talent and creating strategic partnerships serves as a model for how Charlotte can further solidify its position. By continuing to support local talent, encouraging private investment, and fostering an environment conducive to business, Charlotte can ensure its unique appeal translates into sustained economic growth and diverse opportunities for its residents and Charlotte NC business community.
The expansion of North Carolina’s film and television industry presents exciting prospects for Charlotte. The entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of local businesses are key to maximizing these opportunities, driving economic growth and creating jobs. We encourage our readers to support Charlotte small business ventures and stay engaged in our city’s dynamic economic future.
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina’s Film & TV Industry
- How much direct in-state spending did North Carolina’s film and television industry generate in 2025?
- In 2025, direct in-state spending from film and television production activity in North Carolina generated an estimated $185.5 million.
- How many jobs were created by film and television productions in North Carolina in 2025?
- In 2025, film and television productions created over 7,000 job opportunities across North Carolina.
- What was the direct in-state spending for film productions in North Carolina in 2024?
- Film productions across the state generated more than $302 million in direct in-state spending in 2024.
- How many jobs have been created by movie, television, and streaming productions in North Carolina since 2017?
- Since 2017, movie, television, and streaming productions have created nearly 97,000 jobs for skilled film professionals and background talent in North Carolina.
- What is the purpose of the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant?
- The North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant is used to attract feature film and television/streaming productions that stimulate economic activity and create jobs in the state.
- How are grants from the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant program disbursed?
- Production companies receive no money upfront; grants from the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant program are paid out as a rebate following the completion of the project and a successful audit of the production’s spending.
- What is the estimated return on investment for North Carolina’s film incentives according to some cost-benefit analyses?
- Some cost-benefit analyses estimate that for every dollar North Carolina provides film-production companies, only $0.22 is generated for the state.
Key Features of North Carolina’s Film & TV Industry
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Direct In-State Spending (2025) | Estimated $185.5 million | State-level |
| Job Opportunities (2025) | Over 7,000 jobs created | State-level |
| Direct In-State Spending (2024) | More than $302 million | State-level |
| Total Investment Since 2017 | Over $1.4 billion from movie, television, and streaming productions | State-level |
| Total Jobs Created Since 2017 | Nearly 97,000 jobs for skilled film professionals and background talent | State-level |
| Film Grant Program Commencement | Current version began in 2015 | State-level |
| Grant Structure | Rebate after project completion and audit, no money upfront | State-level |
| Maximum Grant for Movies | Up to $7 million | State-level |
| Maximum Grant for TV Series | Up to $15 million | State-level |
| Economic Impact of Incentives (some analyses) | Little to no positive economic impact; $0.22 generated for every $1 provided by the state | Nationwide/State-level |
| Charlotte’s Role | Recognized as one of the main production hubs; site for various productions (e.g., “Top Chef – Season 23”, “The Hunting Wives”, “Blue Ridge”) | Local/State-level |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
