seda annual report 2022
The Savannah Regional Film Commission reported a banner year in 2022 for entertainment production in the Savannah region. Direct spend from film and television production was nearly $207 million, the highest number to date.
The record spend can be attributed to 101 professional productions and 44 student productions. Savannah hosted three major network television series in 2022, including the Apple TV+ series Manhunt, the AMC show Fear the Walking Dead and Panhandle, a Sony production for Spectrum and Roku. Also, several independent feature films shot in the region as well as numerous reality shows, documentaries, commercials, photo shoots and music videos.
“In 2015, the entertainment production industry generated a direct spend of $59 million and today we are announcing a record breaking nearly $207 million direct spend,” said Savannah Economic Development Authority President and CEO Trip Tollison. “It is really staggering the amount of dollars that are coming into our region related to entertainment production. The state of Georgia, our local governments, our partners and the community have all played a role in growing the industry in our region.”
Also today MovieMaker magazine announced its “Best 10 Small Cities and Towns to Live and Work as a Moviemaker” ranking with Savannah coming in at number three. Savannah has been in the top three for the past nine years, taking the number one spot in 2020, 2019, 2017 and 2016.
In October 2022 it was announced that SRFC Executive Director Beth Nelson would be taking a step back from her role. After an exhaustive search, SEDA tapped industry veteran Erin Fraser to be the new SRFC Executive Director in December 2022.
At the time, Savannah Economic Development Authority President and CEO Trip Tollison said, “We are excited to have Erin Fraser join us as the new Savannah Regional Film Commission Executive Director. She is a seasoned veteran whose experience and connections will be beneficial in leading the Savannah Regional Film Commission and grow the entertainment production industry in our region.”
Erin began her position on Jan. 3, 2023. It was with great sadness that SEDA announced the unexpected passing of Erin on March 3, 2023.
