Imagine walking down your favorite Main Street for a morning coffee — only to see film crews, lighting rigs, and actors bringing a scene to life. As digital sets and green screens dominate Hollywood, a growing number of filmmakers are turning to real places with real stories. They want to capture places shaped by generations of people, music, traditions, and stories lived out with grit, creativity, and love. These towns are living archives, and filmmakers are starting to take notice.

One recent example is the film Sinners (produced under the working title Grilled Cheese), which chose a stretch of Louisiana known as ​“Louisiana’s Sweet Spot” for its authenticity. During filming, restaurants buzzed with new customers, and more than 40 community members were cast as extras. But the benefits weren’t just economic — they were also emotional. Seeing one’s own culture honored on the big screen renewed civic pride and reminded neighbors that their story matters.

By choosing real locations like Louisiana’s Main Streets, filmmakers aren’t just capturing scenic beauty — they’re honoring the people, the traditions, and the stories that make these communities unique.

Filmmaking as Economic Development

Each year, Louisiana’s film industry generates over $1 billion in sales for local businesses and $350 million in payroll for state residents, supporting around 10,000 jobs with average salaries of $65,000. According to a 2023 Louisiana Economic Development Report, for every $1 of state tax credits certified for film production, studies show a remarkable return: $6.32 in sales and $2.70 in earnings. The film industry in Louisiana shows the power of storytelling as both an economic driver and a cultural lifeline.

“Having our streets and storefronts chosen as the backdrop for Sinners was more than just exciting; it was a validation of the history and character we work so hard to preserve,” reflected one community leader. In a report by WAFB, Locations Assistant Ashley Wright said she enjoyed filming on-site and exploring new places. ​“I grew up in Ascension Parish in St. Amant, but I hadn’t really experienced Donaldsonville until I saw it through the lens of filmmaking. We were able to hire so many local people to help set things up, clean, and bring it all to life.” This synergy between the arts and community revitalization strengthens local preservation efforts and drives economic growth.

“Art and storytelling are powerful economic drivers,” notes Dasjon Jordan, Executive Director of Broad Community Connections. ​“When a film like Sinners highlights the authentic sense of place found in our Main Street communities, it creates a lasting impact. It draws attention, builds appreciation for our cultural assets, and encourages heritage tourism and future investment.”

Filmmaking as Community Development

This impact doesn’t fade when the film crew leaves town. Communities featured on screen often become destinations in their own right, as visitors seek out the tangible connection to the stories they saw unfold. This ripple effect transforms Main Streets into cultural destinations — places with soul, not just storefronts.

In New Orleans, the energy around Sinners continues this fall. Sinners will be a featured highlight at the New Orleans Film Festival, taking place from October 23 to 27, 2025. The celebration of culture continues at HomeFest, held on October 17 – 18, 2025, and hosted by Broad Community Connections on historic Bayou Road in New Orleans. Shotgun Temple, a 1980 open-air sculpture by Robert Tannen, located at the heart of Bayou Road, invites visitors into its mural-covered sanctuary created by the set designers from Sinners. ​“For HomeFest, we are preparing the first in an annual series of artistic installations over the temple — envisioned as a rotating exhibition in partnership with local art institutions and HBCUs — with the goal of creating workforce development opportunities for local Black emergent artists,” said Dasjon Jordan.

Sharing Your Story: From Local Artists to the Big Screen

Every Main Street is a potential film set, and every community has a story worthy of Hollywood. Who are the story keepers in your town? What untold histories are waiting to be lifted up and shared? This is the transformative power of the creative economy at work on Main Street. Start the conversation by reaching out to local musicians, artists, and historians. Listen closely for the cultural rhythms unique to your district and ask how you can preserve and share those histories with honesty and love.

The next great American story is already unfolding in your corner of the world. Your Main Street program can ensure it is heard.

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Downtown Decorations, a Main Street America Allied Member, is this quarter’s Main Spotlight advertiser. For more information about what they do to support Main Street organizations, click here.