CFCC Announces New Partnership with Cinespace Studios to Relocate Film & Video Production Technology Program to Active Studio Space

May 27, 2026

Three people stand in a film studio beside a large professional stage light while a crew member wearing a “Cinespace Lighting” shirt explains the equipment. Two young men in graphic T-shirts listen as colorful light from the background reflects across the polished floor, with additional lighting gear and people visible throughout the studio space.

Wilmington, NC (May 27, 2026) – Cape Fear Community College is expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students through a groundbreaking new partnership with Cinespace Studios, bringing the college’s Film and Video Production Technology program directly onto an active studio lot beginning this fall.

Under the partnership, all Film & Video Production Technology classes will relocate to Cinespace Studios, giving students the unique opportunity to learn and train in a professional working studio environment used by the film industry. The move is a major advancement for the program and strengthens Wilmington’s reputation as a center for film production and workforce development.

“This partnership transforms the student learning experience by placing our students inside the environment where professional filmmaking happens every day,” said Jim Morton, CFCC President. “Students won’t be just learning about the industry; they’ll be immersed in it.”

By moving the program into an operational studio space, students will gain direct exposure to professional workflows, production environments, equipment, and industry expectations. While class sizes will remain the same, CFCC plans to expand the number of cohorts and course sections over time as demand grows, providing more opportunities for aspiring film students.

The partnership also positions CFCC as the first community college in the country to operate a Film and Video Production program on a Cinespace studio lot. Cinespace currently partners with universities in Chicago and Toronto, but CFCC marks the company’s first collaboration of this kind with a community college.

“There’s no substitute for learning where the work actually happens,” said Keith Gee, Cinespace Studios Co-Chief Executive Officer. “At Cinespace, we’re proud to create opportunities for students to train in and around active studio environments, gaining exposure to the people, departments, and production workflows that bring stories to life. Following our education partnerships in Chicago and Toronto, we’re thrilled to expand that commitment in Wilmington with Cape Fear Community College.”

In addition to Film and Video Production classes beginning this fall, CFCC carpentry classes will begin utilizing the studio space this summer. The course is designed to teach students both fundamental and advanced carpentry techniques used in residential and commercial settings, including safety practices, tool use, framing, measurement and layout, foundations, and construction methods.

“This is an incredible opportunity for students to learn skilled trades in a setting that directly connects to the film industry,” said Erin Easton, CFCC Vice President for Continuing Technical Education and Economic and Workforce Development. “There are very few opportunities like this anywhere in the country.”

This new partnership will allow CFCC to expand continuing education offerings designed to prepare students and upskill current film professionals. Planned new trainings include:

  • Production Assistant Weekend Training
  • Grip and Electrical Rigging for Stage
  • Camera Department Operations
  • Set Lighting Operations
  • Special Effects Training

These specialized programs are designed to help students and working professionals develop technical expertise in key areas of film production while training in a professional studio environment.

For more information about the Film and Video Production Technology program at Cape Fear Community College, visit cfcc.edu/film-video-production-technology/ .

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