The first graduation ceremony for students in Columbus State University’s new film certificate program will be held Monday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. at the Springer Opera House.

In partnership with the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Springer Opera House, the program and its first graduation is a milestone for Columbus and the 13 participating students. Part of the Georgia Film Academy, CSU’s On-Set Film Production Certificate Program is offered through CSU’s Department of Communication in collaboration with the Springer Opera House. It was one of the first programs of its type offered in state of Georgia when it launched earlier this year.

“This program is a great example of how Columbus State University is responding to industry needs,” said CSU President Chris Markwood. “We are proud to have been asked to be one of the first partners in the Georgia Film Academy. My thanks to the faculty and staff who had to work very quickly to ramp up a program that turns out its first ready-to-work graduates next week.”

These graduates are now ready to join Georgia’s exciting $6 billion film industry. As the third largest production center in the country, Georgia boasts of a workforce with more than 100,000 people directly and indirectly tied to this growing part of the economy. Industry growth over the next three to five years is projected to generate 3,000 – 5,000 new jobs in Georgia, most of which are on set. Earnings in these jobs average $84,000 a year.

As part of their internship, some of the graduates worked on the production crew for the independent movie “Moon Shine Still,” directed by Takashi Doscher. The movie was shot in September at Sweet Home Plantation in Harris County, Ga.

The On-Set Film Production Certificate curriculum totals 18 hours of academic credit and includes an introduction to the film industry, highly specialized training, and hands-on experience in the areas of on-set film production skills, professional equipment, and on-set procedures. CSU’s program anticipates graduating 100 students by the end of 2017.