TIFTON – Film crews have been in and out of town filming a movie called “Gasoline Alley” starring Bruce Willis, Devon Sawa and Luke Wilson.

This is not Tifton’s first time being the film location of a movie. In 2019 Queen Latifa’s film crew rolled into town to shoot, “Tiger King,” in the Town Terrace Motel, which will be temporarily renamed the Kentucky Star Motel for the film.

Alexander Kane, a Fitzgerald native and producer of the movie, said interaction with locals from businesses to law enforcement has been great. 

“We try to do what’s best for the town and the movie,” Kane said. “There’s a way for everyone to win here. We didn’t shut down Highway 82 or make life difficult. We try to be as minimally invasive as possible and so far we have received 100% support from the police, the sheriff, the mayor and all of the leadership.” 

Kane said the difference in filming in Tifton compared to a place such as Hollywood is the people. The locals are much more willing to participate and be part of the production along with the Southern generosity from businesses and community leaders. 

The Tifton Tourism Association said businesses around town have seen a positive impact from filming. Restaurants, hotels and store fronts especially have seen an increase in business from the presence of film crews. 

41 and Main has been a caterer for the film set, Kane said, and he added the crew has loved the food that has come from the catering. He said the crew also frequents local restaurants such as The Local, Fresco Italiano, the Lamplighter Pub and Cook Out because they are open late when the crew wraps up filming. 

“We’ve tried to spread it out and go to as many local restaurants as possible,” Kane said. 

Most of the filming for “Gasoline Alley” has taken place in Fitzgerald but other scenes have been shot in Tifton. 

Tifton offers more options and variety for the film crew than Fitzgerald based off the difference in the sizes of the cities, Kane said. 

The good news for Tifton businesses, Kane said, is that “Gasoline Alley” isn’t the end of the journey for Tifton’s Hollywood exposure. There are plans to start filming another movie after this one wraps in March. 

“We have anywhere from 50 to 150 million dollars worth of production lined up in South Georgia,” Kane said.

Kane thanked Mayor Julie Smith of Tifton, Mayor Jim Puckett of Fitzgerald and many other area leaders who have been kind hosts to his film crew during production.