Spotlight Shines on Columbus Film Industry

City is focused on becoming Georgia's third major film hub.

By Wesley Broome on January 22, 2024

Jeff Adkins

Film production in Columbus, GA, is on the rise. Recently, the city has made appearances in films including “Survive the Night” with Bruce Willis and “Still” (the first film to go through the Georgia Film Academy program at Columbus State University). With a studio providing full production services and a university program helping train a local workforce, the Columbus film industry has become a unique asset in Georgia. 

Camera Ready in Columbus 

Columbus was designated as one of the first Camera Ready communities by the Georgia Film Office. Local liaisons make it easier for film productions to scout locations and secure filming permits. 

In addition, the Columbus Film Commission helps bring productions to the area by providing local crew, resources and incentives. 

“We have workforce, we have infrastructure, and we are very fortunate that the private sector came together and created a film fund,” says Peter Bowden, president and CEO of VisitColumbusGA, which oversees the Columbus Film Commission. 

Local funds and incentives can be crucial as a production considers the best locations in which to film. In addition to an existing state tax credit, the Film Commission developed the Columbus Film Fund, which helps productions save money by compensating travel costs associated with relocating the production to Columbus. 

Choosing a Camera Ready community like Columbus is not just beneficial for the production but for the entire community. Hotels, catering services, shops and rental companies are all crucial to sustaining the needs of a film during monthslong periods of filming. 

“Film production has a huge wave of economic impact across the city,” Bowden says. 

While Atlanta and Savannah still lead the state in film production, there can be disadvantages in trying to film in oversaturated areas. Productions may encounter obstacles to securing permits for popular locations or finding enough crew. The Columbus film industry provides an ideal alternative. 

“We would really like Columbus to establish itself as Georgia’s third film hub,” Bowden says. 

Visit Columbus GA

Columbus Film Industry Is Crewing Up

At Columbus State University, the Georgia Film Academy (GFA) program sets up future film workers for success.

Students and non-students alike can earn on-set certification through the 18-hour GFA course in the Department of Communications. For film productions, bringing qualified crew members from as far away as Los Angeles is a costly expense that can be avoided by hiring locals. 

“Georgians can train Georgians to take these jobs,” says Dr. Danna Gibson, chair of the Department of Communications at CSU. “That was the impetus for starting the Georgia Film Academy.”

The program includes a paid internship on a film set under the supervision of a qualified professional. This hands-on experience is vital for those interested in a career in film, since much industry-specific protocol cannot be easily taught in a classroom. 

Ginger Steele, an alum of the GFA program at CSU, used the skills she learned to open her own business. Steele’s ties to Columbus film run deep; her mother was an extra in “The Green Berets,” which was filmed at Fort Moore, and her father taught her how to operate an 8-millimeter film camera at a young age.

“It’s a full circle for me,” Steele says. 

Steele co-founded J.G. Arthaus LLC, Columbus’s first prop house, located at Flat Rock Studio. Since the nearest prop houses were previously in Atlanta, J.G. Arthaus is poised to become yet another asset for Columbus. 

“There’s so much talent here,” Steele says. “There are so many stories that Columbus has to offer.”

Jeff Adkins

Infrastructure for Film Production in Columbus

Columbus continues to build out the necessary infrastructure to sustain a thriving film industry. Flat Rock Studio is Columbus’ own movie studio, consisting of production offices, sound stages and backlots for filming.

The studio is managed by Story Mill Entertainment, a full-service production company co-founded by John Mock, its current CEO. 

“We think Columbus is poised to see a big expansion in film and TV production,” Mock says. “Producers want to see the ability to film in Georgia, but without a lot of the headaches that come with filming in Atlanta.”

For Mock, an appealing work environment is important for crew who could be working away from home for months at a time. The local nightlife, entertainment and arts community can help people feel at home in Columbus. 

“The community is so supportive of film and TV,” Mock says. “Columbus is a great place to film.”