Georgia has quickly become one of the top filming locations in the world. During the 12 months that ended June 30, 2019, 399 productions filmed in Georgia including 26 feature films, 31 independent films, 214 television series, 91 commercials and 29 music videos, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

In 2018, film and television productions spent $2.7 billion in Georgia. The amount spent in 2019 is preliminary and expected to increase as productions finalize their numbers.

“The entertainment industry has found a home in Georgia,” Georgia Deputy Commissioner for Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Lee Thomas said in September. “While the spotlight certainly shines on our competitive incentive, it is the Georgia-based skilled crew, diverse topography, available infrastructure, and the hundreds of small businesses that support our productions that keep us ranked as one of the top filming locations in the world.”

What is the true impact of Georgia’s entertainment industry and how do we come together to create a sustainable source of economic growth, jobs and revenue?

You can find out on Dec. 5 at Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Business of Entertainment event, where you’ll hear from local leaders in film, TV, music, games and digital content as we dive into Georgia’s creative economy.

Check out the event program below and learn more about the event here. (Read more about last year’s event here.)

2019 Program

State of the Tax Credit – Film, Music and eGames

Steve Weizenecker, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Conception to Creation: The Business of Creating a Hit in Georgia

Alix Baudin, President, Will Packer Media

Moderator: Sharon Reed, Journalist and Host

Music’s Economic Impact on Georgia: Past, Present and Future

Cortez Bryant, BPG Education Partner and C.O.O., Young Money Entertainment

John Driskell Hopkins, Founding member, Zac Brown Band; National Trustee, The Recording Academy and Artist in Residence with the Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business Program, Kennesaw State University

Dee Dee Murray, Owner, Murray Media Production

Moderator: Bryan Calhoun, Head of Digital Strategy, Blueprint Group; Director of Artist Marketing and Industry Relations, Pandora and Executive in Residence, Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business Program, Kennesaw State University

Emerging and Innovative Content Models

Mikey Cosentino, CTO, RiTE Media

Doug Grimmett, Founder and CEO, Primal Screen

Chris LeDoux, Founder, Crafty Apes

John Rich, Vice President, FutureX Labs, Moxie

Moderator: Leigh Seaman, Executive Director, SCADFILM

Atlanta as an eGames Destination

Andrew Greenberg, Executive Director, Georgia Game Developers Association

Todd Harris, President, Skillshot Media and Co-founder, Hi-Rez Studios

Jeremy Poore, Director of Partnerships, Director of Partnerships, Atlanta Esports Ventures

Samir Mayur, Vice President of Business Operations, Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena

Moderator: Jon Preston, Dean of the College of Computing and Software Engineering, Kennesaw State University

Read more in the Atlanta Business Chronicle, here.