The Director’s Choice

As long ago as 1959, Hollywood discovered the attractions of filming on location in Natchitoches with the     John Ford drama, The Horse Soldiers, starring John Wayne and William Holden.  Of course, Steel Magnolias with its all-star cast of Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Sally Field, Daryl Hannah, Dolly Parton and Olympia Dukakis probably did the most to raise our profile within the film industry as a viable and desirable place to shoot a movie outside a Burbank studio.  Since 1989, a number of film features and made-for-TV movies have been filmed in Natchitoches.

Why choose Natchitoches?

We know how it’s done 

The City of Natchitoches and the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau work together to assist filmmakers with scouting and securing locations for filming.  City officials assist with services such as road closures, permits, use of public property and code compliance issues.  The City also works closely with Louisiana Film Commission and residents and businesses interested in helping to facilitate film projects.

Unique architecture 

Natchitoches and the surrounding area boast an array of historic Southern properties including restored plantation homes, Creole townhouses, Queen Anne and Victorian buildings, bungalows, shotgun cabins, slave quarters and an exact replica of Fort St. Jean Baptiste – the French fort built in Natchitoches in the 18th century. 

Diverse topography 

Farmland and agriculture as well as lakes, rivers and 129,000 acres of Kisatchie National Forest are all right here in Natchitoches and the surrounding region.

Close Proximity to Shreveport

After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and its thriving film business, filmmakers redirected their lenses to the film-friendly environs of Shreveport – just 60 miles north of Natchitoches on Interstate 49.  Hollywood types have transformed this river town into “Hollywood South,” filming big-budget movies, building elaborate sets and sound stages, and pouring millions into the economy.

Southern hospitality 

Natchitoches is a film-friendly city and welcomes members of the film industry.

Year-round filming

Natchitoches boasts a moderate, mild year-round climate.

Accommodations

The hotels, motels and inns in Natchitoches and the surrounding area have all hosted film crews and are familiar with the special requirements of the industry.

Easy air travel

Alexandria and Shreveport airports offer service from
many major airlines. Our local airport provides general
domestic air services to private and corporate clients.

Film Industry Incentives

Investor Tax Credit

Louisiana state law grants a tax credit against state income tax for taxpayers domiciled and headquartered in Louisiana. The objective of this tax credit is to attract private investment for the production of nationally distributed feature-length films, videos, television programs, or commercials made in Louisiana, in whole or in part for theatrical or television viewing or as a television pilot.  The investor shall earn the tax credit at the time of such investment. If the total base investment is greater than $300,000, each investor shall be allowed a tax credit of 25% of the actual investment made by that taxpayer.

Employment / Labor Credit

The law provides that a motion picture production company is entitled to a tax credit for the employment of Louisiana residents in connection with production of a nationally distributed motion picture, video, television series, or commercial made in Louisiana, as certified by the state of Louisiana.
The credit is equal to 10% of the total aggregate payroll for residents employed in connection with such production. However, if the payroll to any one person exceeds $1,000,000, this additional credit shall exclude any salary for that person that exceeds $1,000,000.

For more information, please visit www.lafilm.org.