AFCI | Association of Film Commissioners International

Big thanks to local studios for hosting AFCI members today! We had a chance to explore impressive sound stages, cutting-edge post-production facilities, and state-of-the-art virtual production environments. From the history of motion pictures to the latest advancements in technology, these tours showcased the incredible scope of our industry. We also thank Amazon for hosting the cocktail reception to celebrate the close of AFCI Week 2024 at Amazon MGM Studios. As AFCI Week 2024 comes to a close, we thank everyone who contributed to making this event a success. This year also marked the first time we opened our doors to non-members, and we’re thrilled to have welcomed studio executives, independent producers, and location managers . Looking ahead, AFCI is on the brink of exciting developments as we approach our 50th anniversary in 2025. We’re committed to expanding our digital transformation and enhancing member benefits across education, global events, and peer networking. Ensure you’re at the forefront of these developments by RSVPing to receive exclusive updates on what 2025 has in store for our community: afci.org/50candles Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios #AFCIWeek2024 #AFCIWeek #AFCI #FilmIndustry #FilmCommissions #Networking #Collaboration

Another remarkable day at AFCI Week 2024! Our first-ever Film Industry Challenge was a huge success, bringing together AFCI members, producers, studio executives, and location managers to tackle some of the industry's most pressing challenges. A big thank you to our workshop partner, Filament, for facilitating this innovative session that sparked fresh ideas and solutions. Special thanks to our sponsors, CVL Economics, Washington Filmworks, and Seattle Film Commission, for their generous support and commitment to collaboration. Stay tuned for more information about the Film Industry Challenge in the upcoming weeks. We also hosted two panels today: 🔸 Independent Fireside Chat: This session explored the growing significance of independent production in today’s budget-conscious environment. Special thanks to Entertainment Partners for sponsoring the discussion. 🔸 The Rise of Unscripted: Studio executives, independent producers, and film commissioners discussed strategies for attracting unscripted, reality, and standalone productions to global regions. The day continued with the AFCI Member Meeting and the engaging “How Would You Handle It?” session. The evening culminated with a VIP event in partnership with Variety, where we honored trailblazers in physical production in TV and film. Huge thanks to our executive sponsor, Cinespace Studios , and our supporting sponsors, The MBS Group, Production Services and Solutions, Cherokee Film, Martini Film Studios, North Shore & Mammoth Studios , Vancouver Film Studios, and Straker , for making it an unforgettable night and congratulations to all the honorees! Thanks everyone for a fantastic AFCI Week. We look forward to hosting our members for Studio Day tomorrow! #AFCIWeek2024 #AFCIWeek #AFCI #FilmIndustry #FilmCommissions #Networking #Collaboration #VarietyTen

Congratulations to the thirteen AFCI members who received the AFCI Certified Film Commissioner certification during a ceremony held at AFCI Week. These individuals, representing regions around the globe, engaged in coursework and participated in events that solidified their understanding of the role and practices performed by a film commissioner. We congratulate the following individuals: - Walker Dalton, Executive Director, Savannah Regional Film Commission - Saone Damon, Honolulu Film Office - Lydia Garza, Film & Music Commissioner, Visit Corpus Christi - Rachel Kehart, Director, Kansas City Film Office - Brian Kohne, Film Commissioner, Maui Film Commission - Kelley Hiatt, Film Office Manager, St. Louis Film Office - Kim LeBlanc, Film Commissioner, San Antonio Film Commission - Pablo Lopez, Film Production Manager, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau - Henrik JP Åkesson Ruben Akesson Rubin, Film Commissioner, Southern Sweden Film Commission - Victor Senna, CEO, KwaZulu Natal Film Commission - Mariko Sugisaki, Manager, Tokyo Film Commission #AFCI #AFCIMemeber #certificates #FilmCommissions #FilmComssioners

AFCI Week 2024 kicked off today with an incredible lineup of speakers and panels. We were honored to be welcomed by Erin Bromaghim, Deputy Mayor of International Affairs, Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, followed by an inspiring keynote from Charles Rivkin, Chairman & CEO of the Motion Picture Association, and opening remarks from AFCI Executive Director, Jaclyn Philpott. Today’s panels included: 🔸 Beyond Hollywood: A deep dive into the global production landscape by senior studio executives, sponsored by Oklahoma Film and Music Office. 🔸 Demonstrating the Positive Economic Impacts of Film Production – A Primer: Sponsored by the California Film Commission. 🔸 Expanding Your Infrastructure: Sponsored by Gold Coast Film Commission. 🔸 Film Texas: A Legacy of Filmmaking, A Future of Innovation: Presented by the Texas Association of Film Commissions. 🔸 Olsberg•SPI Deep Dive Case Study on best practices in screen sector development 🔸 The Independent/Alternative Media Perspective, sponsored by Monarch Private Capital We wrapped up the day with networking and happy hour The Gotham and Filmmaker Magazine, followed by our official opening reception in partnership with The Hollywood Reporter, BC Film Commission, and Screen BC. Get ready for tomorrow—more panels, the debut of our first Film Industry Challenge, and an evening celebrating the Variety Ten Leaders and Innovators in Physical Production! #AFCIWeek2024 #AFCIWeek #AFCI #FilmIndustry #FilmCommissions #Networking #Collaboration

What a fantastic first day of AFCI Week 2024! We’re thrilled to welcome our members from over 30 countries and regions. Today, they participated in two insightful workshops designed to elevate their expertise in the film and production sectors. The first workshop, exclusively for AFCI members, was led by Resonance President & CEO Chris Fair. This session focused on place branding and the power of storytelling to highlight regional uniqueness. A huge thank you to Calgary Economic Development Film Commission and Edmonton Screen Industries Office for supporting this important initiative. The second workshop provided hands-on insights into the production incentive application process, giving both producers and film commissioners the tools to collaborate more effectively. We wrapped up the day with a spectacular sunset at the Film Commissioners, Location Managers, and Producers Happy Hour on the rooftop terrace. Everyone is energized for the exciting panels, receptions, and the debut of our Film Industry Challenge in the days ahead! #AFCIWeek2024 #AFCIWeek #AFCI #FilmIndustry #FilmCommissions #Networking #Collaboration

Tonight, AFCI attended the 11th Annual Location Managers Guild International Awards at the Wallis Annenberg Center in #BeverlyHills. What an incredible evening celebrating the creative visual contributions of location professionals in film, television, commercials, and film commissions from around the world! A special congratulations to our AFCI member Einar Tómasson and Ísak Kári Kárason from Film in Iceland for winning Best Film Commission. We’re immensely proud of your achievements! Kudos to all the other winners for their remarkable accomplishments. Thank you for your invaluable contributions to the entertainment industry. Tomorrow, AFCI Week 2024 kicks off at the UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center! Get ready for an event filled with networking and knowledge-sharing among global film commissioners, location managers, producers, and studio executives. Thank you to John Rakich and the team at LOCATION MANAGERS GUILD INTERNATIONAL for another stellar evening! #AFCIWeek2024 #AFCIWeek #AFCI #FilmIndustry #FilmCommissions #Networking #Collaboration

Two days until Week 2024! A massive thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this year’s AFCI Week the best yet. We're thrilled to host a record number of film commissions from over 30 regions worldwide! For the first time, AFCI Week opened its doors to non-members, welcoming studio executives, independent producers, and location managers—creating even more opportunities to connect and collaborate and we are proud to say we have sold out! Our 170+ Film Commissioners are ready to network with top industry representatives from the major and independent studios + other industry professionals. See you in two days at UCLA Luskin Conference Center & Hotel in Westwood, CA! Platinum Sponsor - Texas Association of Film Commissions (#TXAFC) Opening Reception Sponsors - BC Film Commission at Creative BC - Screen BC Happy Hour Sponsors - RiseImpact Capital, LLC - Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia (DGC BC) - ProdPro - The Royal Film Commission - Jordan - The Location Guide Panel Sponsors - California Film Commission (CFC) - Monarch Private Capital - Entertainment Partners - CVL Economics - Oklahoma Film and Music Office - Gold Coast Film Commission - Calgary Economic Development Film Commission - Edmonton Screen Industries Office (ESIO) - Washington Filmworks - Seattle Film Commission Media Sponsors - The Hollywood Reporter - TheWrap - Variety - Gotham/Filmmaker Magazine Supporting Sponsors - Paramount Pictures - Crewvie.com - talque - The Gotham Film & Media Institute - OnBoard - MediaXchange - Aligned Health and Wellness - LIA LARA EVENTS - S&C Dental Beverly Hills Variety Ten Executive Sponsor - Cinespace Studios Variety Ten Supporting Sponsors - The MBS Group, Production Services and Solutions - Cherokee Film - Straker - Martini Film Studios - North Shore & Mammoth Studios - Vancouver Film Studios #AFCIWeek2024 #AFCIWeek #AFCI #FilmIndustry #FilmCommissions #Networking #Collaboration

AFCI is excited to partner with Variety to celebrate 10 exceptional leaders and innovators in physical production. This exclusive VIP event, reserved for AFCI members and senior executives, will shine a spotlight on the exceptional contributions these individuals have made to the entertainment industry. We extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors for their invaluable support: Cinespace Studios , Straker , The MBS Group, Production Services and Solutions, Cherokee Film, Martini Film Studios, North Shore & Mammoth Studios, and Vancouver Film Studios. #AFCIWeek2024 #AFCIWeek #AFCI #FilmIndustry #FilmCommissions #networking #collaboration #physicalproduction #entertainmentindustry

Three days until SOLD OUT AFCI Week 2024 kicks off! We’re thrilled to host an incredible lineup of industry leaders who will share their expertise on production incentives, the global production landscape, economic impact, infrastructure, independent perspectives, unscripted productions, and more. Join us for a deep dive into the latest trends and knowledge that shape our industry. This year’s AFCI Week will feature an unprecedented number of studio executives, providing opportunities for networking and collaboration. We can’t wait to see you in just three days at UCLA Luskin Conference Center & Hotel in Westwood, CA, from August 25-28. #AFCIWeek2024 #AFCIWeek #AFCI #FilmIndustry #FilmCommissions #networking #collaboration #studioexecutives

AFCI Week 2024 is only a few days away! We’d like to welcome Straker as a valued partner for the Variety 10 Leaders and Innovators in Physical Production event on Tuesday, August 27th. This exclusive VIP event is tailored for AFCI members and senior executives in physical production. Moderated by Carolyn Giardina, Senior Technology, Entertainment, and Crafts Editor at Variety Magazine, the event will feature interviews with the ten honorees. The evening will conclude with a networking cocktail session—an incredible opportunity to connect with industry leaders and innovators. Our event partner Straker is revolutionizing global communication with cutting-edge AI translation technology. By combining the power of generative AI with the expertise of the world’s top linguists, Straker delivers lightning-fast, impeccably accurate translations. Their advanced AI verification ecosystem ensures flawless localized content, allowing businesses to resonate with diverse audiences worldwide. With Straker, language is transformed into a powerful tool for global communication and cultural exchange. This is just the beginning of our strategic partnership with Straker, we have some exciting announcements for our global membership and wider industry. Stay tuned. Join us at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center & Hotel in Westwood, CA, from August 25-28, 2024. We look forward to welcoming you to Los Angeles for a transformative event! #AFCIWeek2024 #AFCIWeek #AFCI #FilmIndustry #FilmCommissions #networking #collaboration