Despite the worldwide pandemic bringing Georgia’s film and television industries to a complete halt in March of 2020, there are very positive signs for Georgia’s production world in 2021. More than 35 scripted film and television projects are already in the works, and stage space is quickly being snapped up for future projects.

Because Georgia was first in the United States to release ‘best practices’ for set safety, it set the stage for film and television industry producers to understand that Georgia would be ready when they were ready. Once the studios and unions had completed several revisions of stringent safety mandates, and cast and crew were comfortable that they could return to work safely, Georgia allowed productions to self-regulate and resume their work. Temperature checks, regular COVID-19 testing, zoning, sanitizing, and maintaining social distancing were some of the methods employed by productions to mitigate the possibility of transmission and put thousands of Georgians and Georgia businesses working and supporting the industry in our state back to work. According to the local IATSE 479, these methods have been very successful—with a less than 1% positivity rate on cast and crew on Georgia sets.

Another very promising recent development for film and television is that the former Creative Arts and Entertainment Working Group has now become a permanent committee in the state legislature. This development signals Georgia’s continued commitment to grow the state’s creative arts and film industries. The new committee, chaired by Representative Matt Dollar, held its initial meeting February 1, at the State Capitol. When these industries are at work, it means the Georgians and small businesses are employed and additional funding is coming in to help Georgia’s bottom-line.

Additionally, the former Pinewood Atlanta Studios – known for Ant Man, Captain America: Civil War, and other blockbusters – has announced the new Trilith Studios and town, which are now fully in the hands of local founders who have accelerated Trilith’s development. The company’s latest expansion, commitment to set safety, and partnership play a lead role in advancing the industry in Georgia.

Located in Covington, east of Atlanta with 50 developed acres and 160 total acres of land space, Cinelease Studios – Three Ring is a new, all-in-one facility devoted to innovation and efficiency. This purpose-built media campus is constructed specifically for television, film, and other custom content creation. It boasts 130,000 square feet of sound stage space with 21,000 square feet of stage support space, among other assets.

Finally, Georgia is once again well represented with awards nominations for productions in the state. On the heels of tying for most nominations for Critics Choice Awards at six nods, the Netflix series “Ozark” was also one of the most-nominated productions for the Golden Globe Awards as well as the Screen Actors Guild Awards. HBO’s series “Lovecraft Country” also fared well with nominations from Critics Choice, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild. Other Georgia-lensed projects with nominations include “Cobra Kai” and “Hillbilly Elegy.” While the Academy Awards have been pushed from February to April 25, 2021, we are hopeful that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences will also have Georgia on their minds!