Peach County photo contest aiming to attract film industry

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Peach County wants to get involved with the state’s film industry. The chairman for the county’s chamber of commerce says a photo contest is putting them on the map and they hope to bring the box office to the county.

“We have not had the films in Peach County that we need,” Tom Morrill, the chamber of commerce’s chairman, said.

It’s a mission to get put on the map.

“We said well how many sites around Peach County are on this list and on this website and there weren’t any,” Morrill said.

He says while the state is taking advantage of the thriving, billion dollar film industry, Peach County — wasn’t.

“We were not in the game at all so this was to propel us and get us moving in the right direction,” Morrill said.

The county held a photo contest where photographers would shoot different locations for cash prizes.

In addition, the photos get sent to the state’s film website for potential places to consider for movies and TV.

“I really want them to take a look at Peach County and for them to come here for the film industry,” Bonnie Gehling said.

She won first, second, and third place in the contest. She refers to herself as an amateur photographer, but judges say she captured the heart and soul of the county.

“For Peach County, you have to see what’s on that list that’s actually in Peach County, and that’s how I started narrowing it down,” she said.

It’s another push at trying to bring industry back to Fort Valley — and jobs.

“Small businesses would grow. We’d put people to work and bring in, hopefully, even if it’s a scene they have to have places to stay,” Gehling said.

She says she wants to be known that Peach County is a hidden treasure and they’re ready for the time in the spotlight.

“Peach County is a great county. We just need to keep it out there,” Gehling said.

Film producers take a look at the photos to try and best match scripts with settings. Morrill says Peach County has a lot to offer and he’s ready to get a movie or show in the county.