The following is a statement from Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), congratulating Christopher Nolan on his election as president of the Directors Guild of America.
The Peaberry Film Festival has officially released the full schedule for its 2025 edition, running Oct. 2–5 at the Historic Canton Theatre.
“Heartland” revolves around Misty Jones (Chastain), a former country star who comes out of seclusion to investigate the disappearance of her niece ( played by Carter Faith), herself a rising country musician. Jones must grapple with her own past and Nashville’s seedy underbelly, as her search uncovers a murky side of Nashville where no one is who they seem.
All titles look to be around $77.8M, which is down 48% from last weekend, yet only -4% off from a year ago when Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was still the thing in its third weekend with $25.9M and Paramount had the animated Transformers One which bowed to $24.6M.
The Fincher brothers grew up watching comedy and loving it. They wanted to create a movie with the sole purpose of making their audience laugh – no hidden meanings, no moral-of-the-story ending – just a fun flick to laugh at and make you feel good for a couple of hours.
Film productions like these continue in Georgia as the industry around the globe shifts back onto its feet, and these are among the reasons why: Georgia’s best-in-class tax incentives; versatile locations; sophisticated state-of-the-art studios; top crews and workforce; state-wide Camera Ready Communities initiatives; world-class post-production resources.
“Hannah’s work is extraordinary. On behalf of Variety, I am thrilled to partner with the team at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival to recognize her work,” said Variety senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay. “The Creative Impact Award celebrates someone who has made an impact in their field, and Hannah’s work has done just that. From building Wakanda to the Mississippi Delta in Sinners, hearing her talk about her process and research is going to be such a gift for the students at SCAD.
Georgia stands out as having one of the world’s most complete esports infrastructures, spanning professional teams, game publishers, educational programs, and supportive policy. The state was pioneering in offering high school varsity letters for esports competitors and became the first to provide tax credits for esports broadcasting, helping attract major tournaments and events to Georgia.
Viktor&Rolf are also renowned for juxtaposing seemingly unrelated elements. Their haute couture collection “Fashion Statements” (Spring/Summer 2019) featured short slogans typically used in social media that were elaborately shaped on dresses built from layers of laser-cut tulle. Works from that collection are featured prominently in the exhibition, along with other garments that showcase the visual elements for which they are celebrated.
Joining them on stage are three of Atlanta’s most acclaimed theatrical voices, Brad Raymond, Deb Bowman, and Leigh Ellen Jones, beloved for their powerhouse performances on the Alliance Theatre stage and beyond. Together, these choirs and vocalists infuse the program with local artistry and star power, bringing beloved movie moments to life in a way that only Atlanta can.
In addition to the directory itself, you will find a consolidated Calendar of Events for all who are interested in attending unique art experiences and discovering new artists. And you can join in celebrating the achievements of Latino artists by perusing the Highlights section of the directory.
The African Film Festival Atlanta (AFFATL), powered by the African Film & Arts Foundation Inc. (AFAF), is pleased to announce that the regular call for film submissions is now open for its fifth edition, scheduled to take place March 26 – March 30, 2026.
Per Assembly Atlanta (LinkedIn): We’re proud to have hosted the production of Hulu’s upcoming limited series, “Murdaugh: Death in the Family”, at Assembly Studios.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our founder and friend Robert Redford. Bob’s vision of a space and a platform for independent voices launched a movement that, over four decades later, has inspired generations of artists and redefined cinema in the U.S. and around the world.”
Now based in Marietta, LaBrec serves as head of operations for North America at Clear Angle Studios, a global 3D capture company specializing in the behind-the-scenes work that brings digital worlds to life.
The extension, American High South, will provide a bold new pipeline for youth content that blends authentic style with next-gen filmmaking technology.
The Woodruff Arts Center—home to the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and High Museum of Art—will host its third-annual HBCU AccessFest: College and Arts Fair on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 1 to 5 p.m. on their campus at 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309.
As TIFF’s 50th edition comes to a close, the Festival is proud to have welcomed over 700,000 guests, nearly 2,000 accredited media, 6,000 Industry delegates, 1,200 screenings, and a stellar lineup of talent who graced 110 red carpets.
“The Ambulance Chaser,” a crime thriller in development set in Atlanta and adapted from Brian Cuban’s award-winning novel, is gaining traction as the production team ramps up preparations.
Marvel has been one of the cinematic jewels of Georgia’s film industry for over a decade. According to recent reports, Marvel is moving future productions to the United Kingdom for a variety of reasons, including incentives, more filming space and health care costs.
Offering filmmakers an impressive array of natural landscapes and convenient access to Atlanta’s production resources, Forsyth County bridges the hustle of Atlanta and the tranquility of rural north Georgia, positioning itself as a prime location for the state’s burgeoning film industry.
I started off doing independent projects and not really fully understanding the community in South Florida – that’s where I’m originally from, born and raised in Miami. I moved here almost 17 years ago. So 17 years ago, I was already kind of doing it as much as I could, still with a day job, and realized that I really missed my community of people I would bump into in Miami.
All of this bodes well for moviegoing. No one was expecting September to overperform the way it is now with record openings for a Conjuring movie last weekend with Last Rites ($84M) and now the crazy start to Infinity Castle.
The program for the all-day event on September 24, 2025, will define a strategic path through a new landscape, getting beyond conventional models to reveal how data-driven analysis is turning high-stakes creative projects into valuable portfolio additions.
The film follows a woman preparing for a night out who seeks outfit advice from her boyfriend. However, when he tries to give her the “right” answer, she recognizes that the only way to get the truth is to play rough, even at the risk of ruining their relationship…and lives. “On the Nose” offers audiences an all-too-familiar insight into how partners avoid conflict in long-term relationships and how confronting romantic issues can be both incredibly scary and rewarding.
Since 2022, young Atlanta-based Level 77 Music has pulled in scores of Mark Awards nominations and wins from the prestigious Production Music Association (PMA) in Los Angeles, and that recognition continues in 2025.
Discover Dunwoody is proud to honor Kyle Carey as the September recipient of the Distinguished Production Associate Recognition Program, an initiative created to recognize the hardworking professionals behind the scenes of film and television.
Currently in production in the Georgia capital, the film centers on a sentient AI chauffeur bot that escapes the lab and begins killing reckless drivers under the guise of public safety. Its grief-stricken creator must stop the carnage before the machine evolves into the embodiment of AI gone bad.
SCAD is a global leader in creative AI education, hosting annual summits that bring together top voices and powerhouses in business, entertainment, design, and tech, including Google, Meta, Adobe, Deloitte, Maison Meta, ServiceNow, Gensler, NVIDIA, and Netflix. These events offer SCAD students a front-row seat to explore emergent trends and the future of intelligent systems — connecting them directly with major employers in the AI space who are pioneering what’s next.
Georgia was on full display during the Toronto International Film Festival, spotlighting the state’s cinematic achievements, locations and industry infrastructure. Georgia Entertainment’s From Script to Screen programming during TIFF 50 included an expert panel and a cocktail soirée.
When we started in 2012, we were dealing predominantly with movie studios and video game companies, which are still loyal clients. But now, we often work with technology companies like Amazon that also have film studios. So the structure [of the media we are serving] is always changing so fast.
Last Rites had all the blessings from its fans this weekend, who made the film the third highest opening ever for a horror movie at the domestic B.O. with $83M and the second biggest worldwide at $187M. The Conjuring: Last Rites‘ opening is technically also the biggest opening in Blumhouse/Atomic Monster history surpassing Five Nights at Freddy’s $80M. The two companies merged in January 2024.
Known for his visually stunning blockbuster films and kinetic work across various genres, Chu carries a unique storytelling ability that has earned him the honor of inclusion on The Hollywood Reporter’s Power 100 list as well as Variety’s New Hollywood Leaders. Most recently, Chu directed Universal Pictures’ critically acclaimed Wicked, starring Academy Award-nominated actors Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, which garnered 10 Oscar nominations, among them Best Picture.
Thanks to generous support from the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation, the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and High Museum of Art will host their fifth-annual Grandparents Day celebration from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 14, 2025, on the Woodruff Arts Center’s campus.
The Savannah Music Commission, which was created with the passage of HB 762 by Rep. Carl Gilliard (Savannah), came together for its first meeting at the Savannah Convention Center on Friday, August 29.
Georgia was one of the first to reopen. And so we saw some of the traffic that was slated to go to other states end up in Georgia. We also saw a pent-up demand, y’know, of all of the streaming services trying to keep up with the demand of the viewership. And we also saw they were all kind of beefing up their slates.
Dakin began her film industry career in 2018, and this year she worked as travel coordinator on eight episodes of series “The Bondsman” with Kevin Bacon [Amazon Prime Video, 2025]. We caught up with her to learn exactly what her role entails and why she’s drawn to such a demanding, everchanging industry.
Each month we bring you a list of ongoing productions in Georgia. This information is provided by Georgia.org and reproduced by Georgia Entertainment to bring you the latest, verified, productions. Learn more at Georgia.org.
Set against the luxurious backdrop of Twelve Hotel-Atlantic Station, this signature event celebrates the intersection of fashion, culture, and community through an unforgettable evening of design, artistry, and recognition.
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is proud to announce the return of SCAD AnimationFest to Atlanta Sept. 25-27, 2025. The highly anticipated three-day festival will be held at the university’s state-of-the-art SCADshow theater and will honor Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, the co-creators of Disney’s award-winning, global hit series Phineas and Ferb, and Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, directors of the Netflix global phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters.
From Georgia to across the globe, the 5th Annual Atlanta Women’s Film Festival has announced the films that will headline and its industry experts panel for its 2025 celebration of women in cinema this fall.
AHA equips artists with industry-ready training, emotional depth, and direct access to top-tier professionals — from producers and casting agents to entertainment lawyers and directors. Their presence at AIFW brings a new dimension to the runway: where fashion becomes character, and performance becomes couture.
As a fiscal sponsor, Trilith Institute offers a way for filmmakers to maximize the funds they raise under our nonprofit umbrella, while maintaining full creative and editorial control of their projects. We’re using the industry-standard “Pre-Approved Grant Relationship” model, which is ideal for film and media projects.
Trilith LIVE announced today two major partnerships that will define the future of live events at Trilith LIVE. Ticketmaster, the global leader in ticketing, will deliver advanced digital ticketing solutions, enhance the fan experience, and expand venue marketing opportunities.
The event will bring together the film’s cast, producers, and filmmakers with the local community for an evening celebrating restaurant culture, humor, and philanthropy.
I think the most important thing is to understand that our business is really driven by great content and people’s desire to watch great content. Even though we’ve gone through tough times with strikes [and other industry changes], in the end, people never abandon wanting to see great content on TV. As long as that exists, the industry will be here.
As of right now, 2025 remains ahead of the 2024 box office by +4%, with a running cume for Jan. 1-Aug. 30 of $5.99 billion, however, watch September put us behind sans a Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice.
Because us Atlantans are so used to Dragon Con and its presence, it can be easy to forget how much work goes into putting on a convention of this size. So, ahead of this year’s event, which runs from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1, Rough Draft Atlanta spoke with Renee Cooper, director of the Animation Track at Dragon Con, about how the sausage gets made.
The entertainment industry just received a major boost. Embedded in the newly enacted federal “One Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1, Public Law 119‑21) is a transformative update to Section 181 of the Internal Revenue Code — expanding its reach and unlocking significant new opportunities for film, television, and now, recording artists and labels.
Get ready for an inside look at Georgia’s game-changing approach to film education! C. Scott Votaw, Assistant Vice Chancellor of the Georgia Film Academy, sits down to discuss the groundbreaking partnership with Assembly Studios that’s revolutionizing how the next generation learns filmmaking.
It’s our job in locations to bring everybody onto the team and to create this supportive environment where everybody is moving towards the same goal. The family who owned what became the Kent farmhouse was able to come out and join us for filming and watch this iconic story being told right there on their farm. It was amazing.
The Austin Film Festival has revealed its first wave of premieres to take place at the 32nd annual festival. The 32nd Annual Austin Film Festival will take place October 23 – 30, 2025.
Moderated by Corrine A. Sukiennik, executive director of the Georgia Intellectual Property Alliance (GIPA), this conversation brings together Grammy-winning producer and IP attorney John Snyder and music policy expert Mala Sharma to explore the strategies that protect the sound and drive Georgia’s entertainment future.
This exclusive evening, in partnership with the Columbus Film Office and VisitColumbusGA, will bring together a distinguished mix of entertainment industry leaders, including directors, producers, lawmakers, investors and other creative professionals, for a premier networking experience that showcases Georgia’s thriving creative economy.
The closing reception of “WE ARE MUSIC: Photographs by Jim Alexander and Sue Ross” at The Sun ATL doubled as a 90th birthday celebration for acclaimed photographer and cultural archivist Jim Alexander, drawing an intergenerational crowd of Atlanta’s cultural leaders.
The lineup for this year’s Out on Film, Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ film festival, includes a documentary about disco artist Carl Bean, an animated film about a lesbian space princess, and more.
Those looking at the film industry from the outside often see that it is a fun and exciting industry. What is harder to perceive is that the highly-talented artists and creators who work within it, also experience high levels of stress, do not get a full 8-hours of uninterrupted sleep and frequently do not stop to take a moment for themselves.
Lopez will receive the award following a live recording of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, hosted by THR Executive Editor of Awards Scott Feinberg, in front of a festival audience on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Dragon Con, the internationally known pop culture, fantasy, science fiction, and gaming convention, returns to downtown Atlanta for the five-day Labor Day weekend, attracting some 75,000 fans from all 50 states and several foreign countries.
Set within Kirkwood’s historic Pullman Yards campus, the program supports four artists with free studio space, a production stipend, and the opportunity to present their work across the 27-acre site. The application deadline for the first cohort is July 31.
The Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans directed anime movie did an estimated $9.6M yesterday and is expected to do $8.4M today, -13%. If we get better guidance, we’ll update our numbers, but this is how it’s looking as of this morning. Admissions for Kpop‘s Saturday and Sunday per EntTelligence is 1.5 million alone off a standard ticket price of $13.63.
“This newly created video partnership marks a pivotal moment for Gray. With this game-changing infrastructure, we are leading the charge into the future of local streaming, one personalized viewing experience at a time,” Gray’s President and Co-CEO Pat LaPlatney (Pat L.) said.
Recent headlines about Marvel shifting production overseas paint a dramatic picture—but they don’t tell the whole story. Marvel’s decision to film in the U.K. is about global economics, not Georgia’s competitiveness. Exchange rates, health care requirements, and union considerations make foreign shoots temporarily attractive. That’s a worldwide issue—affecting California, New York, and every other U.S. production hub—not a Georgia problem.
Georgia Entertainment has released program details and partners for its signature “From Script to Screen” event series during the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Mays High School is proud to announce a groundbreaking initiative that pushes the boundaries of educational excellence through creativity and innovation. To celebrate this exciting launch, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The event will begin with an official welcome in the Mays High School Sky Box prior to the ribbon cutting.
As TIFF expands its industry offerings ahead of TIFF: The Market launching in 2026, Industry Selects continues to offer accredited professionals a curated showcase of titles positioned for the global marketplace, including compelling stories, established talent, and breakout debuts from around the globe.
The grand opening marked a significant milestone in Georgia’s film industry, showcasing the state’s commitment to workforce development and innovation. The 32,000-square-foot facility, adjacent to the Assembly Atlanta campus, is now providing hands-on training and real-world experience for students preparing to power Georgia’s thriving film and television industry.
More than a ribbon cutting, symbolic of long-time vision and the immense educational opportunity that lies ahead, the ceremony was a convening of storytellers—leaders and advocates staunchly devoted to helping Georgians create a livelihood in the dynamic and diverse film industry.
Mountain View Group, a creative agency known for aligning strategy with storytelling, announced today its acquisition of Tribe Pictures, a premier video storytelling studio based in the New York City metro area.
Four Georgia-based actors have projects premiering at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this year. The films showcasing these talented artists are among the most anticipated projects of the festival, which runs from September 4-14.
The founder and CEO of Georgia Entertainment, Randy Davidson, outlined the state’s competitive position in the film industry during a BBC interview on Sunday, emphasizing Georgia’s continued appeal to major productions and independent filmmakers, including a possible return for key, major players in the state.
Randy Davidson, founder and CEO of Georgia Entertainment, spoke with Chuck Thomas in early August on the “Chattin’ with Chuck” podcast as part of Atlanta Film Chat.
Production began this week on “Southern Scares,” an ambitious horror mystery that brings acclaimed actress Dee Wallace to the Columbus area for a locally-helmed feature film shooting in the region.
The largest Jewish film festival in the Southeast and one of the preeminent Jewish film showcases worldwide — announced a bold new chapter at its invitation-only Kenny Blank Vision Initiative (KBVI) Founding Visionaries Event on Tuesday, August 12, at Assembly Studios. Approaching 90% of its $2.5 million growth goal, the organization revealed plans to rebrand as ATL Jewish Film and expand its mission beyond the flagship annual festival into a year-round arts and cultural nonprofit with an expanded slate of programs, events, and initiatives.
Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), along with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Senators Raphael Warnock (GA) and Marsha Blackburn (TN), introduced H.R. 4840, Creative Relief and Expensing for Artistic Entertainment, or ‘‘CREATE” Act, a bill to extend and strengthen Section 181, the only federal tax incentive specifically targeted at supporting U.S.-made films, television, and sound recordings by allowing 100% deduction of production costs in the same year those costs are paid or incurred.
Thank God Warner Bros moved Weapons into the late summer, or else we wouldn’t be feeling a pulse. The Zach Cregger pic’s hold for weekend 2 stands at -43% for a second frame of $25M after a $7.4M Friday and Saturday of $9.6M, +29%.
Today, Gowen is an art director and set designer whose fingerprints appear on major film and television productions. His latest contribution, a cutting-edge training space for the Georgia Film Academy, will help prepare future members of the film industry workforce.
Advice can be offered by anyone, regardless of skill, experience, or knowledge of the subject matter. A leader’s reputation depends on the information they provide. It is imperative to offer sound actionable advice that informs, supports, and enhances individual and organizational needs.
The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival will now be known as ATL Jewish Film, an umbrella term that will cover both the yearly film festival and the organization’s year-round programming. The rebrand, along with a host of other initiatives, was announced at a donor event on Aug. 12 held at Assembly Studios.
Commentary and images from Georgia filmmaker Matthew Perkins on the selection of his film “Fortune” for The Gotham Week Project Market in New York City, the longest-running independent film market in the United States.
The workshop brought together industry professionals and emerging creators to explore the possibilities of virtual production and real-time design.
Join us in Athens, August 14–17, for a weekend of screenings, conversations, premieres, parties, and popcorn. Celebrate independent film, local culture, and creative connection—only at the Athens Film Festival.
Grab your calendar and start planning: the TIFF 50 schedule is here! All Official Selection titles are now live. Tickets for TIFF 50 go on sale to TIFF Members by level beginning Friday, August 15, and single tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday, August 25.
In the past few years, Tony has worked in numerous Georgia cities, including Macon, Madison, Powder Springs, East Point, and Sandy Springs. His most notable recent project was serving as Location Manager for ”Stranger Things” Season 5, which filmed from October 2022 to March 2025. The production is believed to be the largest-budgeted project to ever film in Georgia.
City of Sound’s DragonCon performance is expected to draw thousands of fans from across gaming, anime, fantasy and music communities — a natural crossover for the band, whose fanbase calls itself “The Madness.” The group is known for its immersive, emotionally driven performances and sweeping orchestral-meets-rock sound.
The collaboration will showcase a curated block of Latine films — narrative or documentary, in Spanish, English, and/or Spanglish — celebrating the depth, diversity, and artistry of Latine storytelling. The goal: to amplify authentic stories, celebrate cultural diversity, and bring new voices to the big screen.
I’m looking on the horizon now, and wow, there are some pretty cool things coming up around the corner here. And as we further embed ourselves in what we’re doing, working with some of the bigger studios and working on some smaller-scale projects too, we have found quite a niche.
At the Savannah, Georgia, campus of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), a spaceship is gliding silently above a town in the Wild West. The chair of film and television, actor D.W. Moffett, is watching the scene in the university’s virtual production studio at the Savannah Film Studios.
Continuing traditions born in the heart of historic Rome, Ga., the 22nd Rome International Film Festival (RIFF) is set for Nov. 5 – 9, 2025, featuring a curated lineup of film premieres, thought-provoking discussions and celebrity appearances.
The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, will take place September 4–14, 2025. An exhilarating and eclectic mix, this year’s Classics comprise a wide breadth, from lesser-known films from established auteurs, discoveries, films with rising cult status, and revered blockbusters.
Atlanta’s Eagle Rock Studios will host the inaugural Becoming Love Fest on October 18–19—a genre-defying two-day gathering designed for creatives, culture workers, and changemakers exploring the role of narrative in shaping consciousness and community.
It’s beautiful to go into a city like Atlanta and have such a nice footprint. A lot of our craftsmen who worked on the Fortress of Solitude set are painters, stone carvers, and carpenters from the area. We go to all the local retailers to rent our furniture, our office supplies, to buy our food, our lunches — all these industries benefit in countless ways from this huge influx of work.
Given the A- CinemaScore, the multiple on this will be massive ala Sinners (5.8x opening) and Get Out (5.3x). Weapons was always bound to be director Zach Cregger’s biggest opening at the box office. With Weapons, the Artists First and CAA-repped filmmaker is a new, dependable fresh voice for edgy commercial fare on the big screen.
Visionaries from the creator economy came together this week at Shadowbox Studios’ Stage 2 event in Atlanta, activated by Georgia Entertainment and attended by hundreds of creatives and influencers. A key realization they took away is this: now is the time to flourish in a seismically changing, opportunity-rich creative culture where Georgia is soundly a leading global player in all lanes of entertainment and monetization.
Driven by the growing popularity of the Dinner series, and a growing meal prep and catering business, Chef Lowell is currently working to expand his kitchen operations The expansion includes a new food hall, cooking class space, and more—all rooted in South Atlanta, where he remains committed to cultivating a vibrant and accessible dining community. “With proximity to the world’s busiest airport, South Atlanta is perfectly positioned for growth across many industries,” he notes.
Hamilton credits CMII Professor of Practice and internship coordinator Lisa Ferrell for opening the door to Company 3 after she alerted students to a guest talk hosted at CMII. There, he met future mentors and collaborators Raymond Calderon and Hunter Furnish, who would later bring him onto the Superman team.
Biersdorf played a pivotal role in bringing Assembly Studios to life. As part of Universal Production Services’ corporate strategy group, he oversaw everything from early design to operational setup, collaborating closely with Gray Media and multiple teams to launch the Doraville-based facility.
The new Communications Department oversees branding, media relations, digital and social media strategy, video and graphic content creation, public information campaigns, crisis and emergency communication, and the city website. It also supports City departments effectively sharing their programs, services, and events with the public while ensuring all communication initiatives reflect the City’s mission, vision, and values.
A packed house at the historic Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta, Georgia, screened “Love and Taxes” on Aug. 2, 2025, as part of the Cobb International Film Festival (CIFF). And two days later, Feinberg reports, “We were honored with four awards last night: Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Actress and Best Director.”
Each month we bring you a list of ongoing productions in Georgia. This information is provided by Georgia.org and reproduced by Georgia Entertainment to bring you the latest, verified, productions. Learn more at Georgia.org.