Films shot in Athens and throughout Georgia in recent years hired an imported technical workforce to staff the productions. But a new partnership between industry and education groups in Athens might create a homegrown labor pool to feed Georgia’s growing film industry.

Film Athens, a nonprofit centered around promoting the film industry in the area, announced this week the opening of an office with the Athens Community Career Academy, located on the H.T. Edwards campus. Beginning in 2014, the nonprofit will organize classes about all aspects of filmmaking for Clarke County School District high school students.

Eventually, through the career academy’s partnership with Athens Technical College, Athens will boast a college program able to create a local legion of grips, sound engineers and lighting technicians who can become the future workforce for Athens’ burgeoning film industry.

Athens Technical College Executive Vice President Dan Smith said he’s spoken with studio and production company heads that have shot TV shows and films in Georgia. Smith said they all say something is missing here: a qualified workforce.

Read More