Amanda Toney (left) and Claire Brooks As global film and television production spreads across more regions than ever, the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and Stage 32 are teaming up to launch a new education partnership aimed at solving one of the industry’s key bottlenecks: a shortage of trained below-the-line crew in emerging and competitive markets.
The partnership will officially be unveiled during AFCI’s Power of Place Global Film Commission Network Summit, taking place May 15–16 at the Marché du Film in Cannes, which will address global production opportunities and challenges.
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“With more regions investing in tax incentives to attract production, pressure is mounting on local talent pipelines to support that growth,” the partners said. “Across markets, productions continue to face the same challenge: a shortage of trained crew in key below-the-line roles, including production accounting, production management, assistant directing, line producing, location management, post-production, and coordination.”
Highlighted AFCI executive director Claire Brooks: “The ability to support projects on the ground is becoming a key differentiator between markets. Strengthening local crew capacity allows jurisdictions to more fully realize the benefits of their incentive programs and support productions with greater consistency and confidence.”
AFCI and Stage 32 are now looking to address this challenge to enable a “more sustainable and competitive” production landscape.
By equipping film commissions with the tools to develop talent locally, the partnership is designed to strengthen “not only individual jurisdictions, but the global production ecosystem as a whole.”
The goal is straightforward: train local crews to a level where productions can hire locally, qualify for incentives, and keep budgets intact.
Stage 32 trainings and certifications are taught by working professionals, including Mike Fantasia, (Top Gun: Maverick), Miranda Carnessale (Barbie), producer Brad Carpenter (The Diplomat) and Paramount Studios’ Shalonda Ware, among others.
Stage 32 has already worked with more than 50 film commissions and organizations worldwide, including programs in Saudi Arabia, Croatia, South Africa, Uganda, and Poland, focused on “building local crews that can support incoming productions” and do so at an international standard.
“Partnering with them allows us to bring that level of education directly to our members and help close the gaps that are holding regions back,” said Brooks.
The partnership will also include a new training course for film commissioners, entitled “Film Commission Leadership: Building World-Class Production Ecosystems,” which will be taught by Marjorie Galas, senior director, membership & programming at AFCI and select entertainment industry and public policy guests.
“AFCI represents the backbone of global production infrastructure,” said Amanda Toney, Stage 32 managing director. “They’re the ones on the ground making production possible in every region. What they’ve built is an incredible global network, and our role is to support that by helping their members strengthen both their crews and their operations. When film commissions are set up to succeed, the entire ecosystem benefits – from studios all the way to local crews.”
The program will roll out globally beginning in June, with training, certification access, and ongoing education initiatives available to AFCI’s members.
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