American High, the irreverent teen-focused studio behind The Binge, Summer of 69, Big Time Adolescence and more breakout comedies based in Syracuse, New York, is opening a new arm at Trilith Studios in Georgia, one of the leading movie studios in North America. The extension, American High South, will provide a bold new pipeline for youth content that blends authentic style with next-gen filmmaking technology.
As Trilith Studios’ first “Resident Creator,” Jeremy Garelick, founder and CEO of American High, and his new Georgia-based team, will kickstart a new moment for Trilith Studios as it expands its focus from the production of tentpole features to include creators, brands and other complementary businesses. This new relationship will bring American High’s signature comedic storytelling to life through Trilith’s state-of-the-art production resources, including virtual stages and large-scale infrastructure tapping into American High’s extensive network of comedic talent and creators. American High South will begin production at Trilith Studios in Q1 of 2026 with a goal of generating four productions each year.
“We’ve always focused on telling stories that feel real to this generation,” said Garelick. “Now, with Trilith’s scale and innovation, we can tell those stories bigger, faster, and more ambitiously without losing the magic that makes them connect with audiences. As the industry continues to try to figure out what speaks to Gen Z,” added Garelick, “We’ve never been more sure of our voice. And now we’ve found the perfect partner to amplify it.”
In just six years, American High has grown from a converted high school in Syracuse, NY to a Gen Z content engine—producing 18 feature films, training hundreds of students through its nonprofit academy, and racking up over 8 billion views across YouTube and social media. Its digital content on American High Shorts earned a Webby Award, while Summer of 69 hit #1 on Hulu.
“This is more than just a creative alliance — it’s a new model for how stories get told,” said Frank Patterson, President and CEO of Trilith Studios. “American High has a loyal and growing audience that loves Jeremy’s unique take on the world — and no one understands that audience better than he does. We’re excited to set the stage for American High to continue evolving.”
Trilith Studios, best known for hosting blockbusters like DC Studios’ Superman and Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame and pioneering production technologies with its revolutionary virtual stages, provides added production support expertise with over 1,000 acres of cutting-edge infrastructure and 30+ on-site vendors. With Georgia’s 30% tax credit and Trilith’s immersive facilities, this new development enables American High to expand its slate, explore new formats and deepen its commitment to launching new voices.
“We’re excited to partner with storytellers like Jeremy whose passion for great storytelling reflects Trilith’s focus,” adds Patterson. “Beyond producing content, we look forward to investing in the next generation and exploring new ways to collaborate with his Academy at American High, which will complement our current education initiatives with the Georgia Film Academy and the Trilith Institute.”
Together, American High South at Trilith will:
- Scale Creative Outputwith faster, more cost-effective production at blockbuster quality
- Explore Immersive Storytellingusing cutting-edge virtual environments
- Develop New Talentthrough joint educational programs
- Elevate Youth Contentto meet rising demand across platforms with fresh, culturally relevant stories
The idea was born during the production of Rolling Loud, Jeremy Garelick’s directing follow-up to the Netflix blockbuster, Murder Mystery 2. After filming at Trilith Studios in the Atlanta Metro area, Garelick (The Break-Up, The Wedding Ringer, The Hangover) was incredibly impressed by the studio’s world-class capabilities and began brainstorming with Patterson on ways to create a deeper business collaboration.
