On the evening of April 23, hundreds of Georgia state legislators, filmmakers, and other creative professionals crowded Eagle Rock Studios in Norcross, Georgia, for a gathering. Attendees generally believe that the future of Georgia’s film industry is bright and will see the arrival of more film studios and new productions.
Randy Davidson, the CEO of Georgia Entertainment, a digital news publishing company specializing in reporting on Georgia’s entertainment industry, credited the growth of Atlanta’s billion-dollar film and television industry to the tax incentives provided by the Georgia government. Davidson said, “We are very fortunate because these expenditures have now expanded into other areas of the creative economy, such as music, gaming, art, and fashion.” “So, Georgia can be said to bring a renaissance in cultural creativity.”
Davidson also stated that the two main priorities for Georgia’s film industry are nurturing local talent and ensuring the long-term future of these jobs. He encouraged the film industry to continue expanding beyond Atlanta, pointing out that new studios are being built in the southern part of Georgia and in Athens.
Georgia’s government offers significant tax breaks to the film industry, with film productions made in Georgia eligible for up to 30% tax credit. The Georgia film office reports that there are currently 43 film and television productions filmed in Georgia, including Netflix’s “Stranger Things” and various Disney productions. However, a study by Georgia State University last year showed that for every dollar of tax revenue saved by Georgia for film companies, only 19 cents in return is generated.
However, State Senator Nikki Merritt from the seventh district expressed that the thriving film industry in Gwinnett County is also boosting the growth of restaurants and small businesses in the area. “I am a strong advocate for what we have done in terms of tax incentives within our state for our film industry. I think it’s beneficial for the state’s revenue,” Merritt said.
Merritt expressed her excitement for the next steps in the development of Georgia’s film industry, saying, “Let’s have more studios like we have now. Let’s bring more talent, actors, makeup artists, and all those involved in production here. Bring more things here. I think this will benefit our county and enable us to continue to grow.”