As global film and television production spreads across more regions than ever before, the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and Stage 32 are teaming up to launch a new educational partnership aimed at solving one of the industry’s key bottlenecks: the shortage of trained staff in emerging and competitive markets.
The partnership will be officially unveiled during AFCI’s Power of Place Network Summit, taking place May 15-16 at the Marché du Film in Cannes, which will address global production opportunities and challenges.
“As more regions invest in tax incentives to attract production, pressure is increasing on local talent to support this growth,” the partners said. “Across all markets, productions continue to face the same challenge: a lack of trained staff in key roles, including production accounting, production management, assistant direction, line production, location management, post-production, and coordination.”
AFCI Executive Director Claire Brooks highlighted: “The ability to support projects on the ground is becoming a key differentiator between markets. Enhancing local crew capacity allows jurisdictions to fully realize the benefits of their incentive programs and support production with greater consistency and confidence.”
AFCI and Phase 32 are now looking to address this challenge to enable a “more sustainable and competitive” production landscape.
By providing film commissions with the tools to develop talent locally, the partnership is designed to strengthen “not just individual jurisdictions, but the global production ecosystem as a whole.”
The goal is straightforward: train local crews to a level where productions can hire locals, qualify for incentives, and keep budgets sound.
Stage 32 training and certification courses are taught by working professionals, including Mike Fantasia, (Top Gun: Maverick), Miranda Carnesal (Barbie), producer Brad Carpenter (Diplomat) and Paramount Studios’ Shalonda Ware, among others.
Phase 32 has already worked with more than 50 film committees and organizations around the world, including programs in Saudi Arabia, Croatia, South Africa, Uganda and Poland, focused on “building local crews that can support upcoming productions” and doing so to an international standard.
“Partnering with them allows us to deliver this level of education directly to our members and help close the gaps that are holding districts back,” Brooks said.
The partnership will also include a new film commission training course titled “Film Commission Leadership: Building World-Class Production Ecosystems,” which will be taught by Marjorie Gallas, AFCI’s Senior Director of Membership and Programming, and a select group of entertainment industry and public policy guests.
“AFCI represents the backbone of our global production infrastructure,” said Amanda Toney, Managing Director of Phase 32. “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 for success, the entire ecosystem benefits — from the studios down to the local crews.”
The program will be rolled out globally starting in June, with training, certification and continuing education initiatives for AFCI members.