Wilmywood Reels: Stories from Wilmington's Film Industry

When you think of American filmmaking hubs, a few cities probably come to mind: Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta. Wilmington, North Carolina probably doesn’t come to mind. It’s a small coastal city that’s been on audiences’ screens for decades. The tale of Wilmywood involves an Italian film producer, an anti-LGBT bill and Iron Man 3. We talk history with Chip Hackler, a UNCW professor and independent filmmaker who has worked in Wilmington’s film industry since 1984. We also discuss the city’s independent film scene with Kiersten Houser, a filmmaker and professor at Butler University.Sources:De Laurentiis has others looking our way Wilmington Morning Star, 1984 Firestarter’ lit a fire in local film that still burns 35 years later Star News Online, 2019 (accessed via Internet Archive)From talkies to tax credits: A timeline of the film industry in NC News & Observer,  2022Film from 1984 ignited spark for North Carolina Industry Go Upstate, 2004Film projects generate millions in revenue for state Times-News of Henderson NC, 27 November 1984. De Laurentiis celebrates Christmas Italian-style Star-News, 22 December 1984 How the Movies Started in NC Our State, 1983 (accessed from state archives)“A Blow to the North Carolina Film Industry,” WCNC, 2014 Movies Filmed in Wilmington, NC Wilmington Regional Film CommissionWilmOnFilm Flashback: 'Iron Man 3' Star News Online, 2020 A blow to the North Carolina film Industry WCNC, 2014On Location: North Carolina cutting film tax credit program Los Angeles Times, 2014 Video: NBA set to pull All-Star game from Charlotte WXII 12 News, 2016Video: North Carolina faces business boycott over anti-LGBT law CBS News, 2016Film industry in NC still struggling more than a year after repeal of HB2 WECT, 2017“Hollywood of the East’ is disappearing, and Wilmington along with it UNC Media Hub, 2018Cucalorus Film Festival History Cucalorus Film FestivalAll film and television audio clips used for commentary and reporting purposes under United States Fair Use, Section 107 of the Copyright Act. Rights belong to respective copyright owners.Thanks to our guests, Chip Hackler and Kiersten Houser.Directed and narrated by Sophia IsraelResearched and written by Vivien Auer, Sophia Israel and Joanna VegaEditing by Sophia Israel, Nam Phon and Joanna VegaCover design by Nam PhonSpecial thanks to Sidney Beeman