The film industry is facing a familiar challenge: a shortage of skilled crew members in key below-the-line roles. This issue is particularly acute in emerging and competitive markets, where tax incentives are attracting more productions than ever before. The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and Stage 32 are addressing this problem head-on by launching a new education partnership. This initiative aims to equip film commissions with the tools to develop local talent, ultimately strengthening the global production ecosystem. By doing so, the partnership seeks to create a more sustainable and competitive production landscape. The goal is to train local crews to an international standard, enabling productions to hire locally, qualify for incentives, and maintain budget integrity. This approach not only benefits individual jurisdictions but also the entire industry. Stage 32's training programs, led by working professionals, have already shown success in countries like Saudi Arabia, Croatia, South Africa, Uganda, and Poland. The partnership will also introduce a new training course for film commissioners, focusing on building world-class production ecosystems. This initiative is a testament to the industry's commitment to addressing its own challenges, and it's an exciting development for the future of global film and television production.
