Georgia Film Industry Worth $7 Billion to State

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia's film and TV industry generated more than $7 billion for the state's economy in fiscal 2016, according to new figures released by Gov. Nathan Deal.

The 245 feature film and television productions shot in Georgia represent $2.02 billion in direct spending in the state.

Georgia's film industry made a lot of headlines earlier this year during the raging debate over HB 757, the controversial religious liberty/anti-gay bill that was approved by the Georgia General Assembly and would have allowed faith-based groups to refuse services or terminate employees based on sexual orientation.

The governor vetoed the bill in the face of massive opposition, including the Hollywood film industry which repeatedly threatened to pull out of Georgia should Deal sign the bill. AMC joined an entertainment-industry chorus calling for Deal to veto the proposal. Disney and its Marvel Studios also said they would stop filming movies in Georgia if Deal signed the bill.

In 2015, Deal created the Georgia Film Academy, a collaborative effort between the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia to fast track students into the film and television workforce. Since its opening, the program has been adopted at eight Georgia campuses. By the end of the year, 610 students are projected to have completed course one, and 274 students will complete on-set production internships and receive certification.

“Georgia’s film industry is on a steady rise year over year and now ranks No. 3 in TV and movie productions, just behind California and New York,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr.

In addition to the increase in production expenditures, Georgia has experienced infrastructure and business growth, including the opening of Atlanta Metro Studios in Union City and a significant expansion at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayetteville. More than 130 new businesses have relocated or expanded in Georgia to support the industry.

Georgia-filmed movies will take over the big screen in 2016 with “Solace,” starring Colin Farrell and Anthony Hopkins on September 2; “Sully,” starring Tom Hanks, Anna Gunn and Laura Linney on September 9; “The Birth of a Nation,” starring Nate Parker and Armie Hammer on October 7; and “The Accountant,” starring Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick and Jon Bernthal on October 14. Upcoming Georgia-filmed television productions premiering within the next few months include “Atlanta,” on FX; “The Walking Dead,” on AMC; and “Halt and Catch Fire,” on AMC.

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