WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – For the past few months, Johnny Griffin has looked out his window and seen empty sound stages.

As director of Wilmington’s Regional Film Commission, his office overlooks Cinespace Studios, a film production company in Wilmington.

After the pandemic, strikes by actors and writers put the film industry on pause, but now that’s all changed.

“It’s great to see all the work back in town again,” Griffin said.

Production companies are choosing Wilmington once again for the backdrop.

Griffin told WECT that the hit show The Summer I Turned Pretty wrapped up filming this month.

Looking ahead, a show called Runarounds from local producer and director Jonas Pate, known for the Outer Banks, is filming now.

Over in Southport, the director of Dawson’s Creek is gearing up to film a new Netflix series called The Waterfront.

But, Griffin says it’s not just about lights, camera, action.

“For us, it’s all about providing jobs to local people, money being spent in the local community with businesses. So, when we see these shows come in, that’s what we start to think about,” he said.

Wilmington has cemented itself as an industry-staple with hits like One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek in the 2000s.

Griffin is looking to the future in hopes more industry leaders choose the Port City.

“We’re just excited for, you know, the balance of this year, heading into ‘25 and hoping that’s going to be a strong future for us,” Griffin said.

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