Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Film Office will celebrate its 40th birthday Thursday with a special birthday cake celebration in the rotunda of the state Capitol in Jackson.

Gov. Phil Bryant signed a proclamation declaring January 17 as "Mississippi Film Day."

Officials say Mississippi boasts one of the five oldest film commissions in the world. The Mississippi Film Office, part of the Mississippi Development Authority's Tourism Division, was created in 1973.

The office recruits film projects, scouts locations and offers research help. The office has also sponsored film festivals and educational seminars.

Officials say more than 50 films, 21 television movies, 26 documentaries, two television series, dozens of episodes of television programs, countless short films and hundreds of commercials and music videos have been filmed in Mississippi.