The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) has set its keynote speaker and confirmed panelists for its first-ever Global Finance Conference taking place during its Locations & Global Finance Show, April 21 – 23, in Burbank, Calif. Jason Reed, executive producer of the ABC TV Network series Of Kings and Prophets, filmed in South Africa, will deliver the keynote address.
Reed is scheduled to speak on Friday, April 22 at 9:30 a.m. with a keynote address focusing on his international experience with co-production and utilizing incentives. Reed previously served as the general manager of Walt Disney Studios International Production, a division focused on producing in China, Russia, India and the Middle East.
International film finance leaders from China, Latin America and India will present, discuss co-production opportunities in their territories and present an array of multiple funding sources. Confirmed Global Finance panelists at the AFCI Locations & Global Finance Show include: Rick Ambros, partner at both Lightsource Asia Media Group and Benchmark Studios; Catherine Bates, head of incentives, New Zealand Film Commission; Robert Cain, partner, Lightsource Asia Media Group, and president of Pacific Bridge Pictures; Aoni Ma, COO, Film Finances Asia; Raghav Mani, global media and entertainment knowledge leader, Ernst & Young; Arnold Peter, founding partner, Peter Law Group; and Steve Solot, president of the Latin American Training Center.
FLICS sets new leadership team
Film Liaisons In California Statewide (FLICS)—the coalition of 42 regional film offices working together to enhance California’s status as the film/TV production capital—has put its new leadership team in place for 2016. The new FLICS board includes: President—Cassandra Hesseltine (Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commissioner); VP—Geoff Alexander (Santa Barbara Film Commissioner); Secretary—Alicia Vennos (Mono Film Commissioner); Treasurer—Tasha Day (Long Beach Film Commissioner); and Immediate Past President—Janice Arrington (Orange County Film Commissioner)
After playing a key role advocating passage of California’s expanded film and TV tax credit program, FLICS and its 2016 leadership team are focused on finding new ways to ensure California retains and attracts production.
NY State Launches Film Good/Do Good Initiative
Empire State Development (ESD) and the New York State Commission on National and Community Service announced the launch of Film Good/Do Good, a first-of-its-kind partnership that will connect film and television productions with volunteer service opportunities throughout NY State. The program will encourage cast and crew members to volunteer at non-profit organizations that are fighting hunger, homelessness and other root causes of poverty in some of the state’s neediest neighborhoods.
“We attract film and television productions from around the world to shoot in New York State, and today we are launching a program to help them lift up the communities in which they film,” ESD president, CEO and commissioner Howard Zemsky said.
Hillarie Logan-Dechene, chair, New York State Commission on National and Community Service, said, “This program will bring volunteers with specific skills to communities where those skills are needed. Craft services workers can cook nutritious meals at a soup kitchen and teach the basics of cooking on a budget. Skilled carpenters can train and assist neighborhoods to build safe and inviting playgrounds for their children. Expert programmers can create modern online tools that will help nonprofits reach those needing assistance. The impact will be significant.”
The New York State Commission on National and Community Service will hire a consultant to help develop and coordinate the program. Film Good/Do Good will be part of the Commission’s Volunteer Generation program, which focuses on using volunteers to combat poverty. It is funded in part by a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service in Washington.
The Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development, a division of ESD, will partner with the Commission to shape Film Good/Do Good into a one-stop shop for productions interested in contributing to local communities above and beyond the economic impact of hiring local businesses and vendors, and employing background actors and crew members. Any film or television show shooting in New York State may participate in Film Good/Do Good.
