“These funds will generate a pool of skilled production professionals to launch this exciting new phase in Newark’s long history of contributions to the film industry,”
Desireè Hadley, director of the Newark Office of Film and Television
Newark residents will soon have more access to film and media jobs thanks to a $750,000 grant awarded to Invest Newark by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). The funding will help train residents for careers in production, including jobs as production assistants, riggers, and grips.
The grant is part of Newark’s growing effort to build a local film industry as construction begins on the new Lionsgate Studios in the South Ward this January. The studio will sit on 15 acres at the former Seth Boyden Court site. When finished in 2027, it is expected to create around 600 jobs. City leaders say Newark residents will be given priority for many of these roles.
According to Desireè Hadley, director of the Newark Office of Film and Television, the training program and the new studio will work together to help prepare residents for real job opportunities. “These funds will generate a pool of skilled production professionals to launch this exciting new phase in Newark’s long history of contributions to the film industry,” she said.
The training will be offered through several local partners. Invest Newark, the Newark Office of Film and Television, Express Newark, NewarkWORKS, Newark Film School, and NJPAC will help teach skills and support job placement. Training will take place in person and will focus on entry-level jobs that help people start careers on film sets.
Mayor Ras J. Baraka said the funding will help Newark continue to grow its creative economy. He thanked the partners involved and said the grant will allow the city to “meet the demands of our growing prominence in the world of film and TV.”
Lionsgate, the company behind major movies such as The Hunger Games, John Wick, and Madea, is one of the largest film studios in the country. The new Newark location will include six sound stages and other spaces used to make movies and television shows. City officials hope the project will bring steady work, new skills, and long-term economic benefits to Newark residents.
The state required applicants to show how they would train people for in-demand film jobs such as editing, set construction, special effects, wardrobe, and camera work. The goal is to create new opportunities for residents, especially in communities that have faced barriers to employment.
More information about training dates and how to apply will be shared by Invest Newark and the Newark Office of Film and Television as the program rolls out.
Written by Jakobe Anderson, Edited by Jaydeen DeCambre
