Canton rolls out the red carpet for The Girl in the River

Special to The Canton News 

Hollywood returns to Canton with a star-studded cast and major economic impact.

Canton, Mississippi, is once again in the spotlight as The Girl in the River begins filming in the historic city. Known for its cinematic legacy, Canton has long been a premier filming location in the state.

Mayor Tim Taylor welcomed the cast and crew to the city. “We are proud that Canton continues to attract major productions, and we thank the filmmakers for choosing our community,” he said.

Canton Tourism Director Jo Ann Gordon praised the production team. “We are grateful to Andrew Stevens, Rick Moore, and Joe Lemmon for bringing the production of The Girl in the River to Canton. Andrew Stevens has created eight film opportunities for the City of Canton and eleven total for Mississippi. Our goal since filming the Eudora Welty documentary in 1987 is to establish Canton as the Movie Capital of Mississippi, while also building, in concert with the Mississippi Film Office, a crew base second to none,” she said.

Gordon added, “The crew has been absolutely the most professional group of individuals and has treated Canton with such great respect and care. The continued presence of noted actors and actresses in our community is a compliment to the people of Canton, Madison County, and Mississippi. Our locals go out of their way to welcome these celebrities with true hospitality and charm.”

The production, led by Stevens, marks his eleventh film in Mississippi and eighth in Canton. The film features award-winning actress Tiffany Haddish, along with Ralph Macchio, Maggie Grace, and Devon Sawa, sparking excitement among locals.

Film productions bring a significant economic boost to Canton. Gordon noted, “We strive to attract film projects on an ongoing basis. They bring great energy and excitement, but best of all they bring economic impact, workforce development, and job creation. Many thanks to Mayor Taylor, the Canton Board of Aldermen, the citizens and businesses of Canton, and the Madison County Board of Supervisors for their continued support of Mississippi’s film industry.”

The movie also marks the feature film debut of European writer-director Brando Benetton, with Executive Producer Rick Moore, a Mississippi native, helping bring the project to life.

As cameras roll, Canton continues to prove it is a film-friendly destination, showcasing the city’s character, talent, and hospitality to the world.