What's Happening?
The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and Stage 32 have announced a new partnership aimed at addressing the shortage of trained below-the-line crew in the film and television industry. This initiative will be officially launched at the AFCI’s
Power of Place Global Film Commission Network Summit in Cannes. The partnership seeks to enhance local talent pipelines in regions investing in tax incentives to attract film production. The shortage of skilled crew in roles such as production accounting, management, and post-production is a significant challenge for productions worldwide. The initiative will provide training and certification programs led by industry professionals to equip local crews with the necessary skills to support productions effectively.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is crucial as it addresses a significant bottleneck in the global film production industry. By strengthening local crew capacities, regions can better leverage their tax incentives and support productions more consistently. This not only benefits the local economies by creating jobs but also ensures that productions can maintain their budgets by hiring locally. The collaboration between AFCI and Stage 32 aims to create a more sustainable and competitive production landscape, which is vital for the growth of the global film industry. The training programs will help regions develop world-class production ecosystems, thereby enhancing their attractiveness as filming locations.
What's Next?
The training program will begin rolling out globally in June, offering AFCI members access to training, certification, and ongoing education initiatives. This will include a new course for film commissioners on building world-class production ecosystems. The initiative is expected to expand to various regions, helping them build local crews capable of supporting international productions. As the program progresses, it may lead to increased collaboration between film commissions and production companies, further strengthening the global production network.
