Members of the Mississippi Film Office toured Columbia Dec. 12 to discuss the city as a potential location for shooting movies.
Citizens were invited to a free screening of the Hallmark movie “Christmas in Mississippi” in the Marion Theater, while Film Office representatives were looking at the downtown Christmas decorations and activities. Following the screening guests traveled across Courthouse Square for a Q&A with the film officials at the Marion County Development Partnership.
Nina Parikh, director of the film office, said they are very interested in Columbia, not only for Christmas but throughout the year. Parikh asked about old homes and other great locations in Marion County.
Louisa Whitfield-Smith with the film office asked residents who attended the meeting for specifics about Columbia, including traditions and special locations.
“One of the things the film office really highlights is huge boom in economic impact that film has on towns of Mississippi and how industry brings job and highlights what makes that town special,” Whitfield-Smith said. “We have been blown away; this has been great.”
Around 45 people were on hand at the Marion Theater to watch the Hallmark movie, which was shot in Gulfport. The 2017 film was about the regeneration of the Harbor Lights following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The film office in conjunction with the Mississippi Library Commission sponsored the event with three separate libraries throughout the state, including the Columbia-Marion County Public Library.
Parikh said if people have ideas about places for filming in Marion County to visit filmmississippi.org and under the tab for locations go to “list your location” and you can upload pictures.
