JACKSON, Miss. — Curtis Nichouls, a filmmaker credited with helping attract Hollywood productions to the capital city and pushing for a local film industry infrastructure, died Saturday, a friend confirmed to 16 WAPT.
Local productions and economic ambitions
Nichouls spent years promoting Mississippi as a viable location for film and television work, using his connections and local knowledge to bring projects that employed residents and spotlighted Jackson’s locations. One of the projects tied to his efforts was the action movie A Day to Die, shot in Jackson in 2021 and starring Bruce Willis.
Beyond individual productions, Nichouls advocated for a larger, more permanent film presence in the city. He had publicly proposed converting the former Dillard’s space at the old Metrocenter into a dedicated film studio and a training center for people pursuing careers in the industry. That plan aimed to create a base for productions and to provide technical training for local students and workers.
Mentorship and workforce development
Friends and associates described Nichouls as someone focused on building opportunities for Mississippi residents to work in film without leaving the state. He worked with aspiring filmmakers and students, offering mentorship and pushing for hands-on training that could lead to paid work on sets.
- Helped bring the 2021 production A Day to Die to Jackson
- Proposed turning the former Metrocenter Dillard’s into a studio and training center
- Advocated for workforce development and mentorship for local film students
Community reaction and public details
Details about Nichouls’ death were limited at press time. A close friend told 16 WAPT that he was found at his home Saturday morning. Officials and family members had not released further information by Sunday evening, and media outlets said more updates would be provided as they become available.
Those who worked with him emphasized the practical impact of his initiatives — not just bringing headline-making productions to town, but creating pathways for local people to work on them. Supporters said his approach sought to keep economic benefits in Mississippi by both attracting outside projects and training local talent to staff them.
What Nichouls sought to leave behind
The Metrocenter proposal was one of Nichouls’ more concrete visions: repurposing a large, vacant retail property into space tailored for film production and education. Advocates for repurposing older commercial sites into creative-industry space say such projects can revive underused properties while building new local employment sectors; Nichouls had positioned his plan within that wider framework.
| Project | Role |
|---|---|
| A Day to Die (2021) | Helped bring production to Jackson |
| Metrocenter Dillard’s site | Proposed conversion to studio and training center |
Colleagues noted that Nichouls’ efforts fit into a broader statewide push to attract film business. Mississippi has periodically drawn national attention for location shoots, tax incentives and one-off projects, but advocates say durable growth requires local infrastructure and a trained workforce.
Next steps for the industry and reporting
With Nichouls’ passing, community members and local film advocates may look to formalize some of his ideas through partnerships with city agencies, educational institutions or private investors. Any such developments would require additional planning, funding and local buy-in.
WE NEWS will monitor updates and community responses as more information becomes available about Nichouls’ life, his planned projects and any memorials or services. Officials or family members who wish to provide details are asked to contact our newsroom.
