Georgia State University’s Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence has started a new program this year to prepare local youth for careers in the burgeoning film, media and entertainment industry in Georgia.

The Careers In New and Emerging Media Areas (CINEMA) Project recruits 18- to 24-year-olds who are not in school and not employed to come to Georgia State’s campus, take courses and gain the skills necessary to secure entry-level positions in information and communication technology that could lead to successful, long-term careers in the film and media industries.

“CINEMA’s mission of providing 20 opportunity youth with the resources, knowledge and support necessary to obtain entry-level jobs in Georgia’s entertainment industry is not only revolutionary, but critical in our endeavor to make the entertainment business a more diverse, inclusive and egalitarian space,” said Taharka Davis, CINEMA Project director.

The Crim Center is partnering with the Atlanta Film Society, Georgia State’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and the university’s new Creative Media Industries Institute to offer classes, project-based learning experiences and paid internships for participants.

CINEMA participants could also transfer the skills they learn to other industries, such as marketing, communications and real estate development, which could address personnel gaps in these markets and contribute to the strength of the Georgia labor market.

JPMorgan Chase invested an initial $125,000 last year to help the Crim Center plan and design the program. The firm invested an additional $300,000 this year to implement the program and kick off the first round of courses.

“We need to equip young people with the right skills to meet the growing demand from local industry,” said Mike Marino, head of the J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Georgia. “Georgia is becoming one of the world’s fastest growing film and media destinations and our partnership will help local youth have successful careers right here at home.”