Tourism bureau hoping to turn Shreveport-Bossier into hub for film, entertainment with new commission

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – The Shreveport-Bossier Tourism Bureau recently announced the new film and entertainment commission with a goal of transforming the region into a thriving hub for film and entertainment.

KSLA’s Naydu Daza Maya spoke with the newly appointed commissioner, who shared his plans and possible projects for the area.

With decades of experience under him, Wade Marshall is newly appointed commissioner of the Shreveport-Bossier Film and Entertainment Commission. He has plans to transform the area into a premier destination for film and entertainment industries.

“What we are trying to do is build something that everybody would love to do, as far as going out with their families, maybe nightlife in the entertainment side, and on the film side and entertainment side. We are building job creation, and we’re building industries where people can make careers out of,” Marshall said.

With several production companies doing business in the area, the new commission aims to support the industry as much as possible.

“We are seeing a major growth about to happen. We are right at the frontline of all of this. So, we are going to hold on to the rings as much as we can so we can continue to grow,” Marshall said.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry called a special November session on tax reform that may impact more than two hundred sales tax exemptions by 2025. The film credit could be one of them.

“We are going to keep doing what we do to push for this thing, you know, to get figure it out by the governor. But what we are looking at is maybe it’s something we find some offsets for. We are just going to continue to work with what we have and adapt to what comes,” Marshall said.

The commission is closely working with leaders on both sides of the river and organizations to revive these industries in the area, aligning with the tourism bureau’s 10-year destination master plan for Shreveport and Bossier City.

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