WILMINGTON, N.C. –

It’s a new era for the North Carolina film industry.

The StarNews of Wilmington reports that producers of television and films can now apply for money under the state’s new $10 million grant program.

The grants replace the state’s old tax incentives for productions.

The program has a $5 million limit. Feature films must spend at least $5 million while television series and producers of commercials must spend at least $250,000.

In applying, productions must estimate how many North Carolinians will be employed. Producers must also provide a projected budget and number of days that will be spent filming in the state.

North Carolina Film Office director Guy Gaster says about a dozen productions have expressed interest in applying.