Don Mandrik

Don Mandrik is a Partner at Hall Booth Smith, where he co-chairs the firm’s entertainment practice group. He brings a unique combination of legal, financial, and content production experience to his role, advising clients across film, television, digital media, and branded content.

Don most recently served as the Managing Director of the media division at Bay Point Advisors, an Atlanta-based private equity firm. In this role, he oversaw the firm’s media investment strategy and financing efforts, working with studios and production companies on content financing and monetization opportunities.

Over the course of his career, Don has advised a wide range of entertainment clients-from independent producers to major studios-on domestic and international content production, production tax incentives, and project finance. He has a deep understanding of the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act and has helped numerous clients leverage the state’s production tax credit program to fund creative projects.

Don began his legal career after earning his J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law and his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University. He went on to build a substantial large firm practice focused on entertainment content and finance before launching Georgia Production Finance, LLC in 2008. The boutique advisory firm supported production companies in structuring and executing on various project and corporate finance initiatives.

In 2019, Don partnered with the ownership and leadership teams of Trilith Studios (formerly Pinewood Atlanta Studios) to launch three separate venture funds to invest in established and start-up entertainment companies. That same year, he led the financing behind the launch of Brand New Story, LLC, a joint venture between Rough House Pictures and Cinetic Media focused on brand-integrated long-form storytelling.

Don also remains active on the production front, advising dozens of production companies across various media sectors and serving as a producer or executive producer on multiple Georgia-based feature films. His broad experience and deep industry relationships position him as a trusted resource for clients navigating the legal and financial complexities of entertainment production.

In the Press

A Practical Way to Reduce State Income Tax Exposure

February 5, 2026

Many companies and high-net-worth individuals assume state income tax liability is fixed. In many cases, it is not. Several states operate long-standing, lawful transferable tax credit programs.