The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board has approved the creation of the New Jersey Film Works Grant Program and entered into Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Montclair State University and Brookdale Community College to expand film and digital media workforce development initiatives.
The new program and partnerships will prepare New Jersey residents for family-sustaining careers in the booming film and entertainment industry, fostering and diversifying the state’s talent pipeline in a critical economic sector and bolstering different approaches to support the state’s film industry.
“Under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has reclaimed its status as a leading hub for film and television production” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Through the development of state-of-the-art film studios and the success of the Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, the industry remains poised for long-term growth,” he added.
“The NJEDA is committed to providing New Jersey residents of all backgrounds with the skills and training they need to capitalize on the immense economic opportunities created by the film and digital media industry. As more studios and production companies utilize New Jersey’s premier incentives and diverse filming locations, they can rely to the state’s expansive talent pool to fill essential roles,” Sullivan continued.
The $3 million New Jersey Film Works Grant Program will award grants of up to $750,000 to entities that provide New Jersey residents with access to workforce development training, internship, apprenticeship, and learning opportunities in film and digital media. In line with Governor Murphy’s mission to strengthen economic opportunities for every New Jerseyan, the competitive program includes a focus on providing training and career opportunities for residents of Overburdened Communities.
The program is expected to award grants to about six eligible applicants, which can include, but are not limited to, nonprofit and community-based organizations, educational institutions, and labor unions. A Notice of Funding Availability will be available for interested parties in Spring 2025.
In addition to the new program, the NJEDA Board entered into an MOU with Brookdale Community College to provide $1 million to the New Jersey Film Academy initiative.
The partnership with Brookdale will provide students, adult learners, diverse underserved populations, and incumbent workers with education and career pathways to pursue careers in film and increase employers’ access to a skilled workforce.
The curriculum is standardized and will be replicated in New Jersey’s community college system, expanding the reach of the program to other institutions. The MOU also dedicates $100,000 in funding to support tuition assistance and student scholarships for participation in the program.
“This partnership with the NJEDA is a game-changer for students and professionals looking to break into the film industry,” said Dr. David Stout, President of Brookdale Community College. “By providing high-quality, accessible education and career pathways, we are not only empowering our students but also strengthening New Jersey’s growing film sector with a skilled and diverse workforce.”
Additionally, the NJEDA Board entered an MOU with Montclair State University to fund construction of the Making Innovations for X (MIX) Lab, which is a centerpiece of the university’s state-of-the-art Dreamscape Learn facility and curriculum. The lab, which will include a 26-seat immersive classroom and virtual reality pod, enables cutting-edge virtual reality and motion capture educational experiences to powerfully engage students in 21st-century learning.
The MIX Lab is expected to open in July 2026. For more information on Dreamscape Learn, click here.
