New Studio Groundbreaking Shows Promising Revitalization of Hollywood South
By Brian Howton
October 19, 2006

Today, the groundbreaking ceremony will take place for a new film production facility at the corner of St. Louis Street and Galvez Street west of the French Quarter. The 300,000 square foot LIFT Film Factory, owned and operated by the Louisiana Institute of Film Technology (LIFT Productions), will be the largest studio in the New Orleans area. According to a study by Tulane University, it will create more than 2, 253 direct jobs and will produce a total of $247 million in direct and indirect earnings.

LIFT Productions, which decided to build the Film Factory in August 2004, plans to have the facility up and running in the fall of 2008. In addition to its four sound stages, the Film Factory will also contain a training institute and a distribution house, all of which will increase the filmmaking community in New Orleans as well as the city's competitiveness in the global film market.

"We are witnessing a major milestone for the city's growing film industry. This is a project that will assist in the rebuilding and revitalization of Hollywood South, jump-starting key development in the growth of our economy," said Mayor Ray Nagin, who will be attending today's event with Governor Kathleen Blanco. "LIFT's state of the art studio and soundstage facility will provide critical infrastructure needed to meet the demand from filmmakers across the nation, fulfilling the vision of Hollywood South."

In 2005, Hollywood South was voted as the 4th best city for moviemaking by Moviemaker Magazine and was responsible for attracting approximately $400 million to Louisiana in film investments. And that's something Mayor Nagin doesn't want to let slip away. He has proposed important initiatives to enhance New Orleans's capabilities and its viability in the Trinity Industry (film, music, and video game production). In an effort to attract more filmmakers to the city, he has also created a National Film Advisory Board.

The Film Factory will be one of three production facilities in the area with The Robert E. Nims Center for Entertainment Arts and Multi-Media Technology in Elmwood and The Louisiana Soundstage opening in LaPlace. But the Film Factory will be by far the largest studio with the other two covering 79,000 square feet and 42,000 square feet, respectively.

Since its beginning in 2002, LIFT has produced more than 30 feature films and long-form television programs. The Hollywood Foreign Press nominated LIFT productions for 3 Golden Globes in 2006, and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honored LIFT with 12 Emmy nominations in 2005. Last May, Bug, their feature film directed by Academy-award winning director William Friedkin, who won for The French Connection and was nominated for The Exorcist, was selected to premiere at the Director's Fortnight, a showing of various films during the Cannes Film Festival to highlight new talent as well as original directing styles. Bug, starring Ashley Judd (De-Lovely, Double Jeopardy) and Harry Connick Jr. ("Will & Grace," Hope Floats), is set for a limited release beginning December 1.