Film will be shot at Franklin locations

After a June 13 location scouting trip by the film’s creative team, Franklin has been chosen as the site of location filming for the movie “Norma.”
The director, producers and other members of the "Norma" team visited local sites. Franklin will stand in for the town in which the lead character, Norma Ann Waters, is “an aging blues singer fighting to reclaim her voice and legacy in a racially divided music industry,” says a post on the movie’s Facebook page.
The director is Chris Jones. He chose Grammy-winner Tarroinia “Tank” Ball for the lead role.
Location scouting is about more than finding great places to film — it’s about finding communities that believe in your story.
“As we continue pre-production, we’re excited about the opportunity to work alongside Franklin’s restaurants, caterers, hotels, businesses, and community members as we bring this film to life, the post says. “We can’t wait to be back in Franklin soon.”
The scouting visit was part of the ongoing Film Franklin Initiative, a program designed to connect filmmakers with local locations, businesses and resources while showcasing the unique character of Franklin and the surrounding area. Through this initiative, filmmakers are introduced to local restaurants, shops, lodging partners and other community resources, helping streamline the production process while highlighting what Franklin has to offer.
Since 2024, Franklin has served as a filming location for several productions, including an international feature film and multiple commercial projects.
Those productions have generated economic activity throughout the community, contributing to local hotels, restaurants, location rentals, fuel purchases, grocery stores, equipment suppliers and other businesses.
City officials say the benefits extend beyond direct spending. Each production helps introduce Franklin’s scenic beauty, historic charm and film-friendly atmosphere to audiences and industry professionals, creating additional opportunities for local businesses and increasing the city’s visibility as a destination for future projects.
One factor consistently praised by visiting film crews is the hospitality of Franklin residents.
According to Mayor Eugene Foulcard, every production that has chosen Franklin has commented on how welcoming and supportive our citizens are. That hospitality has helped establish Franklin as a place where filmmakers, cast members and crew members feel at home.
As Franklin’s revitalization efforts continue, interest from the film industry has also grown. In addition to “Norma,” discussions are underway regarding another potential film project that could bring additional production activity to the area.
Franklin was first included in discussions regarding “Norma” approximately six months ago.
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