Light From Light is one of five feature films shot in the Knoxville area in 2018

The Visit Knoxville Film Office and the city of Knoxville and Knox County, one of the fastest-growing TV and independent film production hubs in the south, is proud to congratulate Paul Harrill, Knoxville native and University of Tennessee professor of Art and Cinema Studies, on the Sundance Film Festival selection of Light From Light, announced by Sundance Institute today. Harrill shot the film, his second helming, in Knoxville in July and August of this year.

“We are honored that Paul Harrill and his partners chose to shoot Light From Light in Knoxville.  To have the film, and our city along with it, showcased at one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world gives us all here in Knoxville a great sense of pride, especially given that Paul is a native and has always been a shining example of the homegrown talent in our midst,” said Curt Willis, Visit Knoxville Film Office Director. 

"Making Light From Light in Knoxville was a great experience. I loved working with so many talented friends from the local production and acting communities, and it was exciting to introduce our city to the producers, cast, and crew that traveled here to help shoot the film,” said Harrill, adding “Having Light From Light selected by Sundance is a tremendous affirmation of everyone’s hard work on the project."

Light From Light, also written by Harrill and starring Marin Ireland, Jim Gaffigan, Josh Wiggins, and Atheena Frizzell, tells the dramatic story of Shelia, a single mom and sometime paranormal investigator, who investigates a possible “haunting” at a widower’s farmhouse in East Tennessee. The film from Ley Line Entertainment, Sailor Bear, and Ten Acre Films is produced by James M. Johnston, Kelly Williams, Toby Halbrooks, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Headington, and Theresa Steele, with David Lowery and Jonathan Duffy serving as Executive Producers and Amy Hubbard and Michael Mobley as Co-Producers.

The city of Knoxville saw a burst in independent film production in 2018. In addition to Light From Light, four other feature films were drawn to the city by its competitive incentives. Purity Falls, from Stargazer Entertainment, Into the Wilderness, from New Film Group, No Time to Run from Elevating Entertainment, and Flirting with Azreal from Storyhaus Media were all shot in Knoxville just this year. In 2016, The Last Movie Star, A Tribeca Film Festival selection distributed by A24, also shot in Knoxville.

The film incentives available in Knoxville continue to become more attractive to independent filmmakers. In addition to the 25% rebate available at a low $200k threshold from the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, Knoxville offers an additional 5% cash rebate to qualifying productions, as well as low cost services and locations, a deep bench of qualified crew due to the booming television production in the area, and a screening agreement with the locally-based Regal Cinema Art buying team.

About the Visit Knoxville Film Office: Established in 2013, the mission of the Visit Knoxville Film Office is to strengthen Knoxville's economy through the promotion of the city as a premiere filming location. For more information on filming in Knoxville, please visit FilmKnoxvilleTN.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter. Visit Knoxville (Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau) is the official CVB for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. Visit Knoxville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private company that works together with the community, business leaders and local and state government to further develop Knoxville as a premier leisure, meetings and travel destination. Join the Visit Knoxville conversation with the hashtag #knoxrocks on all of our social platforms.

Visit Knoxville Film Office Contact:
Kristen Combs
kcombs@knoxville.org