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.
Living UN DONE goes deeper, also touching on the interconnected issues of incarceration, mental health struggles, and addiction that plague so many individuals and families. The powerful message encourages members of society to reconsider how to co-create and approach rehabilitation and the digital punishment that encumbers formerly incarcerated individuals.
Oliver Diego Silva, Ollie to his friends, was cast as young Clark Kent in “Superman: Legacy” when he was just three-years-old.
A delegation of Georgia leaders—including the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Revenue, GSEC, MPA and representatives from cities like Savannah, Macon, and Columbus—met face-to-face with studio executives, producers, and accountants to address recent updates to Georgia’s tax credit auditing and submission process.
After a year of construction, Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre is unveiling its new Goizueta Stage for Youth & Families in the new year with a trio of musicals.
The first weekend of August has The Fantastic Four: First Steps at $11.7M million on Friday for a $40M second sesh, and $198.4M running cume. That’s a 66% decline in the vicinity of Captain America: Brave New World (-68%), but harder than Thunderbolts* (-56%) which indicates the front-loaded rush to Marvel’s first family.
From ancient cave paintings depicting wrestling and foot races, to today’s immersive fan experiences, the bond between sports, arts and entertainment has been enduring and transformative. In Georgia, this relationship has evolved into a dynamic ecosystem where creativity, commerce and community intersect.
Private investment platform Zello has acquired lighting and grip rental firm Cinelease, the company announced Friday. Cinelease had previously been run by Herc Rentals (NYSE: HRI). As part of the deal, Cinelease will operate as a standalone, privately-held company and continue to be run by industry veterans Mark Lamberton, Chris Rogers and Gannon Murphy.
“Cinelease is built on trust—and a team that studios, crews, and producers have relied on for decades,” said Louis Dargenzio, CEO of Zello. “This acquisition is about honoring that legacy while leaning into the future. We believe in this team, we believe in this brand, and we believe in the entertainment industry. We’re excited to drive innovation and growth for our studio and production partners.”
Georgia Entertainment has announced plans to host programming during the 50th annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The festival, which runs from Sept. 4 – 14, 2025, is one of the most influential film festivals in the world, attracting top-tier directors, producers, financiers and studio executives.
As the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA) celebrates its 25th anniversary, we look back at the milestones that shaped its legacy—and what’s coming next.
Georgia’s long-running TV shows and streaming series have fueled steady industry growth by offering sometimes year-round and predictable work. In addition to serving as the location for some of the highest-grossing domestic blockbusters, being chosen as the home for so many highly rated and popular shows is a hallmark that sets Georgia apart.
Jessica E. Lindberg, Ph.D. is the Dean of Humanities at Georgia Highlands College and the Education Director for the Rome International Film Festival. She lives in Rome with her husband, youngest son and flock of yard chickens.
Georgia Entertainment today announced presenting partners, panel guests and special speakers for “The Creator’s Toolbox at Shadowbox.”
Still, that’s a steep Friday/previews to Saturday decline, which indicates the movie was front-loaded. Nobody was spotting that yesterday, the lowest was a $120M debut.
This past week, I had the opportunity to attend the National Speakers Association annual conference in Scottsdale, Arizona—an energizing gathering of thousands of professional speakers, authors, coaches, and thought leaders.
Rep. Gilliard is also excited to announce his fellow appointees to the commission, who will bring a wealth of experience in Savannah’s musical culture.
B.I.G. Entertainment Network, in partnership with Assembly Studios, announced THE B.I.G. SHOW an Entertainment Expo at Assembly Studios.
The historic Tara Atlanta hosts the daily screenings of the BronzeLens 2025 Official Film Selections and all panels from Wednesday, August 20, through Sunday, August 24. For the full list of 2025 BronzeLens Official Selections, visit Official Film Selections | Welcome to the 16th Annual BronzeLens Film Festival.
Entertainment mogul and longtime Atlantan Tyler Perry appears to finally be moving toward his goal of turning part of former U.S. Army base Fort McPherson into a mixed redevelopment designed to be public-accessible and a boon for surrounding neighborhoods. Plans adjacent to massive studio complex call for nearly 1.3M square feet of development.
Randy Davidson, founder and CEO of Georgia Entertainment, spoke with Ryan J. Dennis of Peach Pop 5! to discuss the launch of Georgia Entertainment’s newest event series, “Take One”.
The series was filmed entirely in Georgia, with a cast, crew, and homeowners who all proudly call Georgia home.
The newly launched Pullman Yards Arts & Film Residency is now accepting applications from visual artists, filmmakers, and interdisciplinary creators seeking to push boundaries and expand their practices in Atlanta.
The programme will deliver 23 World Premiere titles, spanning 30+ countries, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey, promising this year to be a truly unmissable moment to catch the international voices of the future.
Filmed in one take, the film wowed audiences not just with its technical ambition but with its richly drawn characters, razor-sharp wit, and throwback 1970s charm.
Founded by Renee’ Atkins, who will lead the summit, and supported by RMF Ambassador Emmanuel Lewis—best known for his role on the hit TV show Webster—the event is designed to empower emerging talent, spotlight cultural leaders, and provide unparalleled access to industry expertise.
The Peaberry Film Festival will return to the Historic Canton Theatre for its third consecutive year, running October 3–5, 2025. Formerly known as the Etowah Film Festival, Peaberry blends local, national, and international films to craft a cinematic experience where the only thing more captivating than the films themselves is the conversation they inspire.
The Galas and Special Presentations programmes are recognized for celebrating the very best of contemporary cinema across genres and styles, from all corners of the world. This year, TIFF is pleased to invite films from over 30 countries that showcase bold storytelling, global perspectives, and the power of film to connect audiences across cultures.
Our students experience what it’s like to work in their chosen fields long before they graduate, and that hands-on approach enriches their education and helps improve graduation rates by keeping them engaged and career-focused.
Funds awarded by Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) include appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. Grant recipients include theaters, dance companies, museums, schools, cities, colleges, and multi-discipline arts entities.
Warners has also had six movies open to No. 1 more than any other studio this year with nine weekend at No. 1. They’ve also had five movies in a row bow to $45M+, a first for any studio.
On my trip to St. Petersburg, Florida I met with executives involved with intellectual property and entertainment in this creative town. I left with a deeper appreciation for how creativity and economic resilience go hand in hand.
Feed Your Senses is sponsored by 100 Peachtree and is supported in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Georgia Council for the Arts and through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly (a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts) and the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.
From the artists premiering their new works to the audiences connecting over a discovery, our stories on and off screen during each Festival are the ones we remember for a lifetime, the ones that shift culture and introduce fresh perspectives.
More than just addiction, Withdrawal is about honesty. It’s about what happens when you no longer have the strength to lie to yourself, or to anyone else.
TIFF is sharing the first five Special Presentation titles of its Official Selection set to have their World Premieres at the Festival’s 50th edition this September. These are: Alejandro Amenábar’s The Captive, Steven Soderbergh’s The Christophers, Sung-hyun Byun’s Good News, Nia DaCosta’s Hedda, and Chandler Levack’s Mile End Kicks.
Over 68 days of filming throughout the Greater Atlanta area, the production generated more than $82.7 million in economic activity. The high-flying film invested in 441 Georgia-based businesses and hired 3,861 cast and crew members, who earned more than $43.6 million in wages.
I think you have to be very emotionally aware to work in production, in the production office specifically. You have to be very emotionally intelligent to navigate a lot of these landscapes and understand people’s dynamics.
Last night, elected leaders and the industry convened for a VIP screening hosted by DC Studios and the Motion Picture Association. The Plaza was packed and the energy flowed through the audience as we heard from special guests before the film started. Of note, 60% of the post was done in Georgia by Company3. Over $3 million was spent on lodging and catering. Over $4 million of purchased lumber and building supplies. Nearly 4,000 local cast and crew worked on the feature film.
These programs support everything from creative practice and collaboration to infrastructure, accessibility, and emergency preparedness. Whether you’re an artist or an arts organization, there’s likely a program designed to support your work and your community.
This year, the Southern Interactive Entertainment & Games Expo (SIEGE), the largest videogame industry trade show in the south, also joins Games Week Georgia, with SIEGE education content for game developers being integrated within the Esports Summit event and included in the All-Access Pass.
Oliver is also no tiny stranger to a film set. “He’s very familiar with filming and he’s been on-set a lot,” says Young-Silva. But this new, mysterious role especially piqued the Silva family’s interest, because the casting company involved was big-time—Feldstein|Paris, one of the largest casting directors in the Southeast.
Jenee’ has led transformative legislative efforts in the areas of healthcare, biotechnology, clean energy, and economic development. Her ability to navigate complex policy landscapes and forge impactful coalitions has made her a respected force under the Gold Dome and beyond.
Southeast Indie Fest is making its debut bringing together 16 of the most dynamic indie bands from across the region for a genre-fluid celebration of sound, soul, and indie creativity. Set against the vibrant backdrop of The Garden Club at Wild Heaven in Atlanta, this year’s fest promises a weekend packed with discovery, community, and pure musical energy.
This sweeping biblical drama, directed by King Vidor and produced by Edward Small—a Georgia-raised trailblazer of early independent cinema—is the first in a film series dedicated to honoring his remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry.
By working with local organizations such as Floyd County, Alliance Theatre and Dad’s Garage, Trilith Institute aims to do more than simply teach its students; it also helps connect them with potential employers.
Festivalgoers can expect a curated lineup of narrative features, shorts, documentaries, animation, music videos, and more. Each screening block has been designed to reflect the energy and diversity of independent cinema today.
Warner Bros execs have every reason to be doing the Krypto doggie dance this morning as it’s the studio’s second $100M-plus opening this year after A Minecraft Movie ($162M).
The at-capacity event addressed recent legislative updates and streamlined audit procedures that enhanced Georgia’s film tax credit program, making it more accessible for filmmakers and content creators. Industry experts provided insights on navigating these incentives to help productions maximize benefits while maintaining compliance.
We wanted to show our love for it. It’s an amazing, iconic score, and we both were on board from the get-go. But, the challenge then, obviously, is when you have something that precious, let’s not overuse this. Let’s find the perfect moments, let’s be respectful.