Magnolia Film Fest Kicks Off In Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The 21st annual Magnolia Independent Film Festival kicked off today.

Hotel Tyler hosted the film directors from all over the country and internationally for lunch.

The directors have gathered in Downtown Starkville this weekend to showcase their best work.

Previously the state of Mississippi had legislation in place to offer benefits and tax incentives to directors who agreed to create a motion picture in the magnolia state.

The 2018 legislative session law makers revisited the idea by introducing House Bill 1132, which would revise the certain provisions under the Mississippi motion picture incentive act.

“We have to really push the arts, there’s no doubt. I’ve been an educator in the arts for 15 years. Arts strongly correlate to math and science scores so the more art we have here in our system the better we are,” says Social Chair Director, Robin Pigg.

The festival will officially kick off tonight, March 2, with a red carpet reception at 6pm. All the festival events are open to the public.