In a significant move that further cements Georgia’s status as a film and television production powerhouse, the Georgia Film Academy (GFA) has announced a new partnership with Assembly Studios that will give students and early-career professionals unprecedented access to one of the state’s most advanced production campuses.

Set to launch August 18, the partnership will bring GFA’s training programs into a new 32,000-square-foot facility inside Assembly Studios, a massive production complex located on the site of the former General Motors plant in Doraville. The initiative promises hands-on, immersive learning opportunities—placing students directly into the rhythms and realities of a working studio environment.

“This partnership represents a leap forward in training the next generation of Georgia’s film workforce,” said Scott Votaw, assistant vice chancellor of the Georgia Film Academy. “By integrating our curriculum with Assembly Studios’ world-class facilities, we’re giving students access to real sets, real professionals and real opportunities.”

Assembly Studios, owned by Gray Media and envisioned as a next-generation creative hub with a focus on sustainability and public engagement, is one of several high-profile studio developments reshaping Georgia’s entertainment infrastructure. For Gray Media, the collaboration is about more than workforce development—it’s about creating a lasting pipeline between education and industry.

“One of Georgia’s most remarkable treasures is the Georgia Film Academy,” said Hilton H. Howell Jr., CEO and executive chairman of Gray Media. “This partnership places students right at the doorstep of Assembly Studios—offering an unparalleled opportunity to thrive in the vibrant film and production world.”

Founded in 2015, GFA has played a pivotal role in Georgia’s emergence as a top-tier production destination, credited with pioneering one of the industry’s most recognized models for workforce development. In addition to certifications in film and television production, postproduction, live event broadcasting, and even esports, the academy also offers paid apprenticeships and set internships—giving students rare access to real-world productions.

This new Assembly Studios facility joins GFA’s flagship campus at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville and expands its reach to six instructional hubs across the state. As Georgia continues to attract marquee film and television projects, the collaboration underscores a long-term commitment to nurturing local talent and sustaining production growth.

“Assembly Studios was built to be more than a production facility; it’s a destination where creativity and community come together,” said Justin Campbell, VP of studio operations at Assembly Atlanta. “Partnering with the Georgia Film Academy allows us to open our doors to students who will become the creators, technicians and visionaries of tomorrow.”

As streaming platforms and studios continue to scout cost-effective, infrastructure-rich regions for their productions, Georgia’s investment in education-to-industry pipelines could be a key differentiator. For the next generation of filmmakers and crew, that future begins on set.