Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on Wednesday announced the newly created Office of Film and Television, a specialized agency dedicated to facilitating film, television and multimedia production in the city.
Recently-appointed Director of Film & TV Desireé Hadley is at the helm and serving as the city’s primary liaison to the film and television industry. Hadley will be responsible for ensuring that production companies are presented with a seamless experience in accessing municipal locations and city services, as well as build workforce development initiatives that provide residents with access to career opportunities in the film industry.
“As the birthplace of nitrocellulose film in 1887, Newark has long stood at the vanguard of the world’s filmmaking industry, and has welcomed countless productions ever since,” Baraka said. “Against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline, our city offers every imaginable on-location setting and ambiance — and, now, under the leadership of Desireé Hadley, we have achieved the state of New Jersey’s coveted ‘Film Ready’ designation that elevates our city’s turnkey production services to Hollywood standards. Desireé is singularly qualified to attract producers and merge their efforts with our talented local workforce. I am proud to have her serve as the Klieg light illuminating Newark to the rest of the world.”
A proud Newark native, Hadley holds a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University – Newark. Hadley joined the Baraka administration as a press information officer, helping to grow the mayor’s social media reach through innovative programs, including his popular “Ras in 60” podcast, which she also co-hosts.
Hadley’s appointment comes in the lead-up to the opening of Lionsgate Newark, a TV/film production facility slated to open in spring 2026.
The Newark Office of Film & TV is housed in the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, which is in partnership with Lionsgate and Great Point Studios, developers and operators of the new 275,000-square-foot sound stage facility. Located in the South Ward, next to the now vacant Dayton Street School, the studio is expected to drive $400-$550 million of annual economic impact for New Jersey.
