WILMINGTON--Republicans, who generally disdain incentives – not to mention the liberal Hollywood elite, have now swept to power in Raleigh and gained lots of new strength in Washington.

Then there's a new studio opening in Atlanta and enhanced incentive packages from neighboring states, which adds to the already stiff competition for film and television production business in the Southeast.

Oh, and the region is still stinging from losing North Carolina-native Nicholas Sparks' film "The Last Song" last year to Georgia.

So does the Wilmington film and television scene still have a bright future?

Yes. That was the resounding answer Thursday at the annual film industry "State of the State" address during the Cucalorus Film Festival.

But challenges, and big ones, are out there even as the region celebrates landing a big-budget film for the first time in years.

That movie is "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," the multimillion dollar 3-D feature staring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Michael Caine that's opened production offices in the area.

He said they should work to put a face on the industry to show that it's more than just movie stars, whose salaries – rightly or wrongly – have drawn ire in the General Assembly during the recent battle over boosting the state's film incentive package.

"Once the legislation is dropped, it's often too late," McComas continued.

And, he added, that as important as job creation and attracting new business to the Cape Fear region is, the goal in these economic times should be something a bit more basic – job retention.

Bill Vassar, head of Wilmington's EUE/ScreenGems studios, said local crew members could help do that by making sure they're up to date with the new film techniques that seem to be getting rolled out ever more quickly in Hollywood. That, in turn, can make them and the region more attractive for 3-D and heavy special-effects productions like "Journey."

Several speakers said Wilmington already has a leg up on other areas just now getting into the production business precisely because of the creative talent and studio facilities that are here due to the region's decades of experience making film and television shows.

Greg Prange, executive producer on "One Tree Hill," said Wilmington is so successful in television production first and foremost because of its talented crew base.

"And I've worked all over the world, so I don't say that lightly," he said, drawing applause from the crowd in the Wilmington City Council chambers in Thalian Hall.

But the million-dollar question on Thursday was if the state would pony up more incentives to counter those packages offered by other states.

When asked if there was a chance the state would lift the $1-million cap on well-compensated individuals ­­ read actors, McComas said he was always hopeful.

"Mysterious Island" is a sequel to "Journey to the Center of the Earth." That movie, which was released in 2008, had a budget of $45 million and grossed $231 million worldwide.

That the production business is a critical economic engine in Southeastern North Carolina was a message repeated over and over again Thursday.

But Danny McComas, R-New Hanover, challenged those in the industry to take that message to Raleigh.

He said they should work to put a face on the industry to show that it's more than just movie stars, whose salaries – rightly or wrongly – have drawn ire in the General Assembly during the recent battle over boosting the state's film incentive package.

"Once the legislation is dropped, it's often too late," McComas continued.

And, he added, that as important as job creation and attracting new business to the Cape Fear region is, the goal in these economic times should be something a bit more basic – job retention.

Bill Vassar, head of Wilmington's EUE/ScreenGems studios, said local crew members could help do that by making sure they're up to date with the new film techniques that seem to be getting rolled out ever more quickly in Hollywood. That, in turn, can make them and the region more attractive for 3-D and heavy special-effects productions like "Journey."

Several speakers said Wilmington already has a leg up on other areas just now getting into the production business precisely because of the creative talent and studio facilities that are here due to the region's decades of experience making film and television shows.

Greg Prange, executive producer on "One Tree Hill," said Wilmington is so successful in television production first and foremost because of its talented crew base.

"And I've worked all over the world, so I don't say that lightly," he said, drawing applause from the crowd in the Wilmington City Council chambers in Thalian Hall.

But the million-dollar question on Thursday was if the state would pony up more incentives to counter those packages offered by other states.

When asked if there was a chance the state would lift the $1-million cap on well-compensated individuals ­­ read actors, McComas said he was always hopeful.

"There's always a chance," he said, although the current economic and political times could make doing so challenging. "I'm not one to say no."

Vassar added that while the tax incentive program North Carolina has on the table now is good, the industry could always use more.

Still, he said the combination of financial incentives, experienced crew members, ease of shooting and top-notch facilities is fueling renewed interest and excitement in shooting in Wilmington that hasn't been seen for years.

Case in point is "Journey."

"They're coming here because the facility they need is here in Wilmington," Vassar said, alluding to his studio's new special effects water tank that opened in 2009.