FONU2, Inc. announced Monday that Effingham County has approved Moon River Studios’ initial permit request to begin construction of the entrance, roads, and water lines for the film production studio facility.  

After a bidding process led by the company’s civil engineers, the grading, road, and water line contracts have been awarded to Preferred Site Construction, LLC.

“The issuance of permits and the actual moving of dirt are major milestones for Moon River Studios,” said Jake Shapiro, chairman of the board of FONU2. “The shared vision of building the Moon River Studios has taken another leap towards becoming a tangible reality.  We expect to announce a start date shortly. We congratulate Preferred Site Construction, LLC on winning the bid, and we look forward to working with them. Once construction has begun, we will be posting photos to our Facebook page and Web site, so that our supporters can continue to track our progress.”

Effingham County commissioners approved the studio’s master plan for the nearly 1,560 acres off Interstate 16 and Old River Road.

The studio’s rentals division, Moon River Rentals, has begun grip and lighting equipment rentals to productions.
Most recently, the Moon River Studios rental division, Moon River Rentals, provided grip and lighting equipment for the small-budget horror film “Siren.” The feature film is shooting during August in Savannah.

Georgia is currently ranked number 1 in the nation for growth in the film industry.

“It has been a pleasure working with Moon River Rentals and filming in coastal Georgia,” said Jude S. Walko, “Siren”’s line producer. “The studio was responsive to all our grip and lighting needs, and they were punctual and helpful at every turn.”

“We are proud to work with independent film productions like ‘Siren’,” said Robert DuVall, vice president of equipment rental, Moon River Studios. “Such films are vital not only to job growth and economic development in the Coastal Georgia region but are the building blocks of the film industry.”