Miles Doleac is a director. He’s an actor, a writer and a producer. He’s a professor and even a student, one who holds three degrees, including a PhD in Ancient History. But at his core, Miles Doleac is a Mississippian.

It’s why he’s planning on filming his second consecutive movie in this state, one that has shaped him both as a person and as an artist. The Hollow is set to shoot in the summer of 2015, just one short year after the successful wrap of Doleac’s first film, The Historian.

Shot in parts of the Pine Belt and south Mississippi, The Historian explores the relationships and struggles of a college professor on the run from his past. It debuted at the SOHO International Film Festival on May 20 to an overwhelmingly positive reception and has been featured at festivals across the country since, winning three awards at the Long Island International Film Expo — including best first feature.

With The Historian successfully blossoming, Doleac has now turned his attention to searching for locations for The Hollow. Set in the fictional Cutler County, Mississippi, the film is a “southern noir murder/police thriller” that focuses on a triple homicide and the subsequent FBI investigation that follows.

“If I had to characterize the script, I would say it’s “True Detective” meets “No Country for Old Men” with a smattering of Tennessee Williams on top,” Doleac said.

With the announcement of The Hollow, which will be filmed entirely in Mississippi, Doleac and his production company, Historia Films, are focusing on creating a venerable film hub in the state — one that will create jobs for Mississippians, by Mississippians.

“I think it’s supremely important, especially for Mississippi filmmakers, to shoot in Mississippi when at all possible. We know what the state has to offer from a location perspective,” he said. “We are the ones who are best equipped to promote Mississippi as a production location and we can do that by showcasing the state in our films.”

Doleac and his crew are making it a priority to stay in state for everything, from the hiring process down to the exterior shots of the film.

“Since The Hollow is based in Mississippi, and we are Mississippi filmmakers, it is very important for us to keep it at home,” associate producer and lifelong Mississippi resident Jase Payne said. “Not only to build our industry in the state, but to show the rest of the country how diverse and beautiful our state is.”

Payne is living proof of the positive impact that staying local provides. The Southern Miss graduate worked on The Historian as a set production assistant before being promoted to associate producer for The Hollow.

“The film industry is still developing here. As a Mississippi filmmaker, it means the world to me. I love this state. It’s a great place that draws you back no matter where you go in life,” he said. “We have the community support, the locations, the arts, and incentive programs that should make the film industry thrive here.”

The incentive programs have helped the film industry in Mississippi boom as state lawmakers look to make shooting movies here a worthwhile experience for both parties.

“The tax incentives in this state are actually better than Louisiana. Where they have tax breaks, we actually have a tax rebate. You get a check, in hand, for up to 30 percent of whatever you spend in state,” producer Ryan Jackson said.

“I think that is a huge step in the right direction to let the industry know that we want to be major players. Besides the tax incentives, Mississippi has a hidden beauty that the country may not know about. I call Mississippi home, and I want to show the world how beautiful this state is.”

Doleac discussed the deep affection for Mississippi he and his crew feel, something that is impossible to recreate with transplant workers.

“No Hollywood production is going to care as much about the place as we will. I know of big Hollywood shows that have come here to shoot and they’re hiring L.A.-based production assistants. Do they really think that locals aren’t capable of doing the job,” Doleac said.

So he has taken it upon himself to spearhead the local film industry in hopes of taking it to new heights — heights never before thought possible in a state battered by a dark, polarizing past.

“We have as much geographical diversity and a creative spirit that’s second to none. All somebody has to do is take a look at the long list of brilliant artists who have emerged from our state… There’s something in the ground here that breeds artistic greatness,” Doleac said.

“But it’s going to take more than lip-service. It will require people of vision coming together, investing of their time and resources. And the entire state will benefit as a result.”