Georgia Film Office
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| Georgia Film Office | |
|---|---|
| Name | Georgia Film Office |
| Formation | 1973 |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Leader title | Commissioner |
| Leader name | Robert A. "Bobby" B. (example) |
Georgia Film Office The Georgia Film Office is a state-level film commission headquartered in Atlanta, responsible for attracting, facilitating, and promoting film, television, commercial, and digital media production in Georgia (U.S. state). It serves as a liaison among production companies, local governments, private studios, and workforce development programs, coordinating permitting, location services, and incentives tied to film and television projects such as Black Panther (film), The Walking Dead (TV series), and Stranger Things. The office plays a central role in positioning Atlanta, Savannah, Georgia, and other locations as major production centers within the United States media landscape.
History
The office originated during the early 1970s as a response to efforts by producers involved with Deliverance (film), The Dukes of Hazzard (TV series), and independent filmmakers seeking alternatives to Los Angeles and New York City. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s it worked alongside entities such as the Georgia Department of Economic Development and municipal film commissions in Augusta, Georgia, Columbus, Georgia, and Athens, Georgia to develop locations used by productions like Forrest Gump (film), Fried Green Tomatoes, and My Cousin Vinny. The 2000s saw collaboration with private studios including Tyler Perry Studios, Pinewood Atlanta Studios, and EUE/Screen Gems Studios, while policy shifts resulted in the adoption of incentive frameworks influenced by models used in British Film Institute and Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit. By the 2010s, blockbuster franchises including The Avengers (film), Captain America: Civil War, and The Hunger Games series contributed to rapid growth and national attention.
Organization and Functions
The office operates as a state-designated agency working with production coordinators from Warner Bros., Disney, Marvel Studios, Netflix, and Amazon Studios to streamline permits, location scouting, and interagency coordination with Georgia Department of Transportation, county film offices, and municipal planning departments in Fulton County, Georgia, Chatham County, Georgia, and Gwinnett County, Georgia. It maintains databases of locations, crewing resources tied to unions such as the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, and workforce training programs linked to institutions like Georgia State University, Savannah College of Art and Design, and The University of Georgia. The office also compiles production statistics, issues production assistance, and partners with economic development groups such as Greater Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and cultural organizations like Atlanta Film Festival.
Incentives and Tax Credits
The office administers the state's film incentive program, coordinating tax credit applications, project certifications, and transfer processes analogous to incentive structures in British Columbia, New Mexico, and Louisiana (state). Key program elements include a transferable production tax credit tied to qualified expenditures within the state, bonuses for statewide spending and Georgia-based promotional activities, and payroll credits for local hires connected to apprenticeship tracks with organizations such as IATSE. Projects certified by the office have included productions from Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Studios, and independent companies. Legislative changes over time have been debated in the Georgia General Assembly and reviewed by fiscal bodies like the Office of Planning and Budget (Georgia).
Major Productions and Economic Impact
Certified projects encompass major studio films like Black Panther (film), Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle as well as television series including The Walking Dead (TV series), Stranger Things, and Ozark (TV series). These productions have generated spending that benefits vendors such as Delta Air Lines, hospitality providers in Hilton Worldwide, and local post-production houses affiliated with firms like Technicolor and Deluxe Entertainment Services Group. Economic analyses from consultancies and academic partners at Kennesaw State University and Emory University credit the sector with job creation across crafts represented by IATSE, increased occupancy at venues like Georgia World Congress Center, and ancillary growth in tourism linked to attractions promoted by Visit Savannah and Explore Georgia. Award recognition for Georgia-shot productions includes accolades from the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards.
Facilities and Locations
Major production facilities include Pinewood Atlanta Studios, Tyler Perry Studios, EUE/Screen Gems Studios (Georgia), and independent sound stages in Savannah, Macon, Georgia, and Augusta, Georgia. Iconic on-location sites range from Stone Mountain Park and the Historic Fourth Ward Park in Atlanta to coastal settings near Tybee Island and historic districts in Savannah, Georgia. The office maintains location libraries featuring urban cores such as Midtown Atlanta, suburban neighborhoods in Decatur, Georgia, and rural landscapes in the Blue Ridge Mountains region. Support infrastructure engages air cargo hubs at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, freight services linked with Norfolk Southern Railway, and film-friendly permitting in downtown corridors.
Partnerships and Industry Programs
The office runs partnerships with studios like Netflix, HBO, Showtime, and Universal Pictures and educational collaborations with Georgia Film Academy, Motion Picture Association, and community colleges including Gwinnett Technical College. Programs address workforce pipelines, diversity recruitment tied to initiatives similar to ReFrame, sustainability efforts aligned with Green Seal practices, and technology adoption with partners such as Blackmagic Design and Avid Technology. It engages with civic entities including City of Atlanta and regional tourism bureaus to host festivals like the Atlanta Film Festival and competitions supported by organizations such as Sundance Institute and Film Independent.