The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (NJMPTVC), a division of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), announced that 14 municipalities and four counties have successfully completed the rigorous Film Ready New Jersey Program and are now officially designated as Film Ready Communities. This initiative, aimed at bolstering the state’s film industry, equips communities with the necessary tools to accommodate movie and television productions while effectively marketing themselves as desirable film destinations.
NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan emphasized the program’s significance, stating, “The Film Ready New Jersey Program is helping the state’s film industry grow by giving municipalities and counties the tools needed to welcome top-tier productions to their communities.”
Among the newly designated Film Ready Communities are Berkeley Heights, Cranford, Fair Lawn, Jersey City, Manville, Newark, Plainfield, Pompton Lakes, Rahway, Ridgefield Park, Ringwood, Roseland, West Orange, and Westwood, along with Bergen, Passaic, Somerset, and Union counties.
Film Ready New Jersey operates as a comprehensive 5-step certification and marketing program, educating municipalities on the fundamentals of motion picture and television production while establishing basic standards for attracting filmmaking. The “film-ready” designation grants certified communities an elevated platform to promote themselves as prime filming destinations and facilitates connections between film and television professionals and knowledgeable liaisons across the state.
”Film and TV production in Newark has grown exponentially in our city over the last ten years, thanks to the attentive leadership of Mayor Ras J. Baraka who brings focus to the myriad of cinematographic jewels offered in the faces and places of our dynamic city, Desiree Hadley, Executive Director of the Newark Office of Film & Television shared with The Newark Times. “Although Newark’s appeal as a production location has been evident through decades of acclaimed features, documentaries and series, our recent New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission ‘Film Ready’ designation, with its turnkey digital permit application process, allows our office to service production companies faster and more effectively than ever.”
To further support this initiative, the NJMPTVC will conduct the next Film Ready Workshop at the Morris Museum on Tuesday, April 23. This workshop offers participants training and guidance from industry professionals, local officials, and NJMPTVC Commissioners and staff. Attendees will gain insights into the economic impact of on-location filming, permitting processes, opportunities for small businesses, and the expanding infrastructure in the state.
NJMPTC Executive Director Steven Gorelick underscored the importance of municipal and county partnerships in the success of New Jersey’s film industry, stating, “Through the Film Ready New Jersey Program, we are encouraging our cities and towns to readily welcome filmmakers and enjoy the many benefits when production crews come to town.”
New Jersey’s motion picture and television industry has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with 166 feature films, television shows, and digital media projects attracted to the state since the revival of the NJEDA’s Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program. This surge in activity has generated $2.3 billion in spending and established New Jersey as a thriving hub for filmmaking across every county.
As New Jersey continues to attract filmmakers, initiatives like Film Ready New Jersey play a pivotal role in ensuring that communities are prepared to support and benefit from the influx of film and television production.
