From ‘Forrest Gump’ to Hollywood’s newest productions: Why Savannah remains a star on the big screen
SAVANNAH, Ga. —
A bench, a box of chocolates and a city now synonymous with movie magic.
More than 30 years after Forrest Gump filmed its iconic bench scene in Chippewa Square, the movie’s legacy continues to draw visitors from around the world to Savannah.
“Forrest Gump gets a lot of that recognition,” said Walker Dalton, executive director of the Savannah Regional Film Commission. “It uses our squares. It uses the things that we see here every single day.”
But Savannah’s connection to Hollywood extends far beyond one famous film.
From Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil to more recent productions like Sweet Magnolias, the Hostess City’s cobblestone streets, historic squares and centuries-old architecture have made it one of the South’s most sought-after filming destinations.
A City With Many Looks
Dalton said Savannah offers filmmakers something few other cities can.
“We have the coastal beaches where you can film your Florida, your Puerto Rico, your coastal vibes,” Dalton said. “Here in Savannah, you can also do your historic Southern town. We cover a really wide range of looks.”
The city is also working to stay competitive in the film industry. In 2024, Savannah leaders approved increased rebates for movie and television productions that spend at least $1 million in Chatham County.
In 2022 alone, the film industry generated more than $200 million for Savannah’s economy.
“Not only do our locals get work, but the vendors and the businesses benefit from that as well,” Dalton said.
SCAD Festival Draws Stars
But it’s not just movie productions that keep Hollywood coming back to Savannah.
Every fall, the SCAD Savannah Film Festival transforms downtown into a red-carpet destination, attracting some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Actress Amanda Seyfried called Savannah “a good town,” adding that she really likes the city.
Actor Dylan O’Brien said he took the festival “as an opportunity to come to Savannah,” a place he had always wanted to visit.
And actress Rose Byrne described Savannah as “magical and haunted and full of ghosts,” praising its architecture and Spanish moss.
D.W. Moffett, chair of film and television at the Savannah College of Art and Design, said the festival has become a major stop during awards season.
“This is the launch point for a lot of films,” Moffett said. “Every year it’s just a better and better lineup. This is truly an Oscar-tracking festival.”
Building the Next Generation
Moffett said the festival’s impact goes far beyond celebrity appearances. It’s also helping develop the next generation of filmmakers.
“A lot of my film students are not only ready to work in L.A. or in New York, they’re choosing to stay in Savannah because they’re seeing the film business grow in Savannah,” he said.
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Savannah’s place in the story of American filmmaking continues to grow.
“I think anybody who’s looking to make movies in the near future is definitely going to have Savannah on their list,” Dalton said.
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