Hollywood Comes to Rockingham County as NC Weighs $31M Film Fund Boost
Key Takeaway: An indie film starring June Squibb is shooting in Rockingham County as North Carolina lawmakers weigh a proposed one-time $31 million boost to the state’s film incentives, a plan that would favor the Wilmington region and has not yet been approved.
Hollywood has come to Rockingham County. The independent feature ‘Sheila Got Bangs,’ starring June Squibb and written, directed, and produced by Greensboro native Lydia Hyslop, began a seven-day shoot in Eden and Reidsville during the week of October 7, 2026, WFMY News 2 reported.
The shoot lands as state lawmakers weigh a proposed $31 million boost to North Carolina’s film incentives, a one-time infusion that has not been approved and would prioritize the Wilmington region, Port City Daily reported.
A 12-year labor of love
Hyslop developed the screenplay over 12 years, inspired by her family and weekends in Eden with her grandparents, according to WFMY News 2. The story follows sisters reuniting to search for their missing brother, blending comedy, drama, and original folk music. She had hoped to benefit from the state’s new Micro-Budget Production Grant Fund, with qualifying expenditures from $50,000 to $1.499 million, but could not wait for funding.
“I’ve been working on this for a quarter of my life. So this is my life’s work. This is my labor of love”.
Lydia Hyslop, via WFMY News 2
The $31 million proposal
On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Senate Majority Leader Michael Lee announced the proposed additional $31 million for the NC Film and Entertainment Grant Program for fiscal year 2026-27 at Cinespace Studios, with backing from House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, Port City Daily reported. The money would be a one-time infusion on top of the program’s annual $31 million appropriation, which offers rebates of up to 25% on qualifying expenses, according to NC Commerce.
A formal appropriation vote is expected when the General Assembly returns in November. The proposal would direct the Film Office and the Department of Commerce to prioritize qualifying productions in New Hanover County and surrounding southeastern counties.
“Increasing funding for this statewide program is a welcome step forward, but limiting it to one county or region is wrong-headed and will make it harder to compete for future projects statewide”.
Gov. Josh Stein, via Port City Daily
Triad concerns
The geographic focus has raised concerns that the Triad could be left behind. The proposal comes after the Commerce Department exhausted its grant allocations and paused new grant-making for roughly three months, according to Port City Daily.
Supporters call the plan an economic tool: “More productions mean more jobs and more businesses for our local economy,” Rep. Ted Davis told Port City Daily. WFMY contacted the office of Sen. Phil Berger, who represents Rockingham County, multiple times; it had not responded as of the October 19 publication.
“Filmmakers love it, but we have to have an incentive that really helps all of North Carolina benefit and not just one area”.
Rebecca Clark, Piedmont Triad Film Commission, via WFMY News 2
Key Story Metrics
| Figure | Reported Status |
|---|---|
| Proposed one-time additional funding | $31 million (not yet approved) |
| Program’s annual appropriation | $31 million per fiscal year |
| Maximum rebate on qualifying expenses | 25% |
| Micro-budget fund qualifying range | $50,000 to $1.499 million in NC expenditures |
| Grant-making pause before the announcement | About 3 months |
| Formal appropriation vote expected | November 2026 |
✓ Verified
The core facts (the October 6, 2026 proposal of a one-time additional $31 million, its unapproved status, the November vote, the regional prioritization, the $31 million annual appropriation, the 25% rebate cap, and the ‘Sheila Got Bangs’ shoot details) were cross-checked across five outlets: WFMY, FOX8, Port City Daily, WECT, and NC Commerce.
⚠ Still needs confirmation
The NC Commerce grant page (last modified June 2025) lists a $15 million TV season grant cap, while Port City Daily reports caps were raised this year to $25 million; the official page is likely stale, so this article follows the 2026 reporting. Rumors of a ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel eyeing the Charlotte region are unconfirmed and were excluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the extra $31 million been approved?
No. It was announced on October 6, 2026, by Senate Majority Leader Michael Lee with backing from House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger. A formal appropriation vote is expected in November, Port City Daily reported.
Why could the Triad be left behind?
The proposal directs the Film Office and the Department of Commerce to prioritize qualifying productions in New Hanover County and surrounding southeastern North Carolina counties, Port City Daily reported.
What is the Micro-Budget Production Grant Fund?
A new state fund for smaller projects with qualifying North Carolina expenditures between $50,000 and $1.499 million, established earlier this year, WFMY reported.
Did Sen. Berger respond to Triad concerns?
WFMY contacted the office of Sen. Phil Berger, who represents Rockingham County, multiple times. It had not responded as of the October 19, 2026, publication.
Editor’s note: The WFMY article’s direct URL was blocked to automated readers; its reporting was verified through the station’s site navigation and cross-checked against four other outlets.
