Jonathan Sachar to Open Major Film Studio in South Jersey with support from ACEA and NJEDA
With support from the Atlantic County Economic Alliance (ACEA) and a $1 million infrastructure improvement grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Cape May native Jonathan Sachar is launching Atlantic Motion Picture Studios (AMPS)—a new, state-of-the-art film studio set on a 100-acre site on Moss Mill Road.
The announcement follows a major milestone for Sachar, whose latest production, Killing Mary Sue, filmed entirely in New Jersey, won Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress at the 2025 LA Film Festival on May 17.
“This project reflects the kind of creative economic growth ACEA is proud to support,” said Lauren Moore, President of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance. “Jonathan’s work will generate jobs, support local businesses, and help build a lasting film infrastructure in Atlantic County. We have been honored to work alongside him for over 18 months to help make this vision a reality.”
Brownfields Redevelopment to Creative Destination
Backed by the New Jersey Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and ACEA, AMPS stands as a major investment in New Jersey’s creative economy and infrastructure.
Egg Harbor City was among five New Jersey towns to receive funding from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority through the Film and Digital Media Studio Infrastructure Program.
The AMPS site, located in a NJ-designated Brownfields area within the Pinelands, underwent more than three years of environmental surveying and preparation, totaling nearly $400,000, to make it redevelopment-ready. Under New Jersey law, Brownfields are vacant or underutilized sites with actual or suspected contamination and are eligible for programs like the Brownfield Reimbursement Fund, which can cover up to 75% of remediation costs.
With additional designations as an Opportunity Zone and Overburdened Community, Egg Harbor City is uniquely positioned for transformational projects like AMPS—revitalizing overlooked land into a hub of creative and economic opportunity.
“This is an extraordinary moment for Egg Harbor City,” said Mayor Lisa Jiampetti. “We have long sought meaningful, sustainable redevelopment for our Brownfields areas, and AMPS delivers just that. This project brings local jobs, infrastructure improvements, and national attention to our community. It is a win for our residents, our businesses, and our future.”
With over $1 million in road and curb improvements already underway—funded by both the developer and the state—Egg Harbor City is poised to see long-term infrastructure benefits that go far beyond filmmaking.
Building New Jersey’s Film Future
Sachar, an engineer and theater graduate from Tulane University, worked on more than 200 productions in California before returning home to New Jersey to raise a family. Since 2005, he has produced an average of one film a year and has been a driving force behind efforts to grow the Garden State’s role in the film industry.
His Film Lease Partner designation from the State of New Jersey allows for up to 42% in tax credits, with no cap—making AMPS one of the most financially strategic locations for production in the country. Each film shoot creates ripple effects for the local economy through housing, catering, fuel, rentals, and regional hires.
Killing Mary Sue, starring Dermot Mulroney and Sierra McCormick, is the latest example of his creative vision—produced entirely in New Jersey and featuring music from his wife, Maddie Hogan, a South Jersey singer-songwriter and American Idol alum. The film also boasts an impressive supporting cast, including Martin Kove (Karate Kid, Rambo, Cobra Kai), Sean Patrick Flanery (Boondock Saints), Jake Busey (Starship Troopers, Twister), Kym Whitley (Happy Gilmore 2), and New Jersey’s own Jason Mewes (Jay & Silent Bob, Clerks, Dogma).
“With the help of ACEA and Egg Harbor City, we’re building more than a studio—we’re building a pipeline for careers in film, right here in South Jersey,” said Jonathan Sachar. “This land was once overlooked, but now it is being transformed into something with purpose. We want people with big dreams to know they do not have to leave New Jersey to pursue them.”
Ready to Break Ground
Construction for AMPS will begin this year, with operations slated to start by late 2026 and full studio completion expected in 2027. The studio will feature sound stages, production facilities, and on-site crew housing—all strategically located between major metro areas like Philadelphia and Atlantic City.
As New Jersey rapidly becomes one of the top three states in the U.S. for film production incentives, AMPS positions Atlantic County at the center of that momentum.
Photo credit: Jonathan Sachar Facebook
