Atlanta’s film industry faces uncertainty amid proposed tariffs
Writer: Eleana Teran
May 2025 — Atlanta’s film industry, a critical driver of the region’s creative economy, may face significant headwinds amid new federal proposals to levy tariffs on foreign-made films. As policymakers debate whether such measures could revitalize domestic production, Georgia’s film sector, long celebrated as a national leader, faces greater uncertainty.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump proposed a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside of the United States, arguing the measure would help bring more film production back to America. The announcement, made via Truth Social, directed the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to begin formal steps toward implementation. Trump said the American film industry is in decline and labeled foreign-made films as a “national security threat” due to incentives offered by other countries that lure U.S. filmmakers abroad.
The proposal has stirred concern across the entertainment industry, with critics highlighting the complexities of modern film production, which often involves international collaboration and digital distribution. Analysts have noted that enforcing such tariffs could be challenging and may lead to increased production costs and reduce global cooperation in filmmaking. While the White House clarified that no final decisions have been made, the policy’s vague scope rattled media markets in the immediate aftermath.
While the tariff aims to strengthen the country’s film industry, it’s unclear whether the shift would boost production in Georgia or hinder it. The state has spent decades building its film and television infrastructure, and now consistently ranks among the top filming destinations worldwide. In 2025, Georgia placed No. 3 on Moviemaker magazine’s Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker, and Business Facilities Magazine ranked Georgia No. 1 in Film & Television production in its 2024 national rankings, based on economic impact and incentive levels for production operations.
According to the Georgia Film Office, the state hosted 273 productions between July 2023 and June 2024, generating an estimated $2.6 billion in television and film production spending during FY2024 and more than $11 billion over the past three fiscal years.
Since revising its film tax credit in 2008, Georgia has expanded its available stage space from 45,000 square feet to over 4.5 million square feet. In 2024 alone, new facilities came online, including Assembly Atlanta in Doraville and BlueStar Studios in the former U.S. Army post Fort Gillem. Post-production capacity is also growing, with companies like Whiskytree opening new facilities to meet rising demand.
But the possibility of a 100% tariff on foreign-made films introduces uncertainty. While the policy is aimed at discouraging international outsourcing, many productions filmed in Georgia rely on global financing, talent, or post-production services. Marvel’s Thunderbolts, for example, was primarily shot in Atlanta, but included key scenes filmed in Malaysia and a score recorded in London, as cited by The Guardian.
The timing also aligns with broader shifts across the industry. Following the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, Georgia saw a slowdown in filming activity, with permitting in Atlanta down nearly 40% during the FY2024 compared to the previous year. The downturn led many in the industry to adopt a “Survive Till 25” mindset, hoping for a rebound. While the number of productions remains below pre-pandemic levels, local leaders have noted a slight uptick, from 20 active productions in February to 26 today, and point to signs of gradual recovery.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.atlantaga.gov
https://georgia.org/
