Georgia’s popular Film Tax Credit will undergo significant changes as of January 1, 2021. House Bill 1037 (H.B. 1037) was drafted in response to a report released earlier this year by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA). The report revealed the use of inadequate procedures by the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) to verify expenditures that qualify for the credit, resulting in the improper granting of credits. H.B. 1037 was signed into law on August 4, 2020 and was designed to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.

As part of its annual “DreamHack Day” DreamHack has revealed a refreshed brand with an identity focused on the gaming community. The new look, created in partnership with WPP brand agency Superunion, also reflects the company’s evolution into a global destination for immersive, gaming lifestyle experiences where the community comes to life.

Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau president and CEO, Peter Bowden, remains optimistic as he said unions are working together with other industry professionals to get ack to business safely. Bowden said he thinks the industry will gear up as we move through winter and into spring.

“The pandemic has only underscored how great storytelling helps to connect people – even when they are forced to be apart. I look forward to continuing to work with our Members and partners to advocate for creators, protect their content and economic livelihoods, and sustain the unparalleled pioneering spirit that has characterized our industry for more than a century.”

Now after Joe Biden collected the state’s 16 electoral votes, besting Donald Trump by 12,670 votes and becoming the first Democratic presidential nominee to win Georgia since 1992, the question is, how has the surging entertainment business played a role in the state going blue?

While production is expected to drop off for the Christmas/New Year period, the number of active TV and films in Georgia remains robust in early December.

Spurred on by film production’s growing ties to the state, the entertainment crowd has come out to support Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in the runoff election, with an emphasis on supporting grassroots groups led by Black women.

Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp announced the recipients of the ninth annual Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities. The awards were presented in partnership with the Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Humanities.

Iconic horror brand Fangoria, under new ownership as of this summer, is relaunching its podcast network with new pod Colors Of The Dark, to be hosted by horror historians Elric Kane and Dr. Rebekah McKendry.

Blackhall Studios, a 150-acre complex about 10 minutes south of downtown, would add 538,000 square feet of sound stages, 200,000 square feet of offices, 420,000 square feet for warehousing and 22,000 square feet of catering space, according to a filing made through the state’s Development of Regional Impact (DRI) program.