Dear Film Florida Members, Stakeholders, and Friends,

As the new President of Film Florida, I am honored to serve this organization and continue advancing Florida’s screen production industry. Having proudly served on Film Florida’s Executive Board for the past seven years, I am excited to take on this new role and help guide the organization through the opportunities and challenges ahead.

I would also like to congratulate and thank our newly elected board members. Together, we will build upon Film Florida’s strong foundation, pursue new initiatives, and continue moving Florida’s screen production industry forward.

Before looking ahead, I would like to reflect on the recent past. In May, Film Florida held its Annual Meeting in Fort Lauderdale. Under the leadership of Immediate Past President Sandy Lighterman and her team, the organization hosted the first Film Florida Legends Award Ceremony in more than a decade. The event was a fitting capstone to Sandy’s presidency and a memorable celebration of our industry. While honoring four remarkable industry legends, Sandy demonstrated the dedication, vision, and leadership that have helped strengthen Film Florida over her three years as President. Her contributions have been invaluable, and while her shoes are impossible to fill, I will do my best to continue the momentum and progress achieved under her leadership.

Film Florida remains deeply committed to serving our members. We will continue promoting Florida as a premier global production destination while supporting and nurturing the talented filmmakers, crew members, and industry professionals who call our state home. We also remain dedicated to fostering the collaborative spirit that makes Florida’s screen production community so welcoming to both local and visiting productions.

Supporting Florida-based filmmakers continues to be a priority. Through the Film Florida Emerging Filmmakers Fund, the Don Davis Finishing Fund, and the Sara Fuller Scholarship, we provide meaningful financial assistance to deserving filmmakers and students pursuing their creative goals. This past year, Film Florida awarded more than $35,000 in grants and scholarships—the largest amount in our organization’s history.

As a marketing organization, we will continue showcasing Florida’s production industry through strategic marketing initiatives, industry events, advertising opportunities, and sponsorships both domestically and internationally. Over the past year, Film Florida executed 13 worldwide advertising campaigns that reached more than one million industry professionals. We also co-produced a StageRunner video highlighting Florida as a premier production destination, generating more than 90,000 views, 4,500 likes, 300 comments, 300 reposts, and 3,500 shares. In addition, Film Florida sponsored 16 industry events throughout Florida and across the country, reaching audiences totaling more than 75,000 attendees.

The Film Florida Podcast concluded its eighth season in May, bringing its total production to more than 160 episodes. We also produced or supported nearly 20 seminars and workshops, including our Film Florida Friday series, that provided professional development and continuing education opportunities for approximately 3,000 industry professionals and aspiring filmmakers.

One of our most exciting accomplishments this past year was the launch of Film Florida TV, a new streaming platform designed to serve as a worldwide distribution outlet for Florida-based content creators. Available on Apple, Android, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Apple TV, Film Florida TV is free for viewers and already features more than 200 hours of content. Film Florida members have the exclusive opportunity to submit Florida-based projects to the platform with our summer submission period currently open.

We also remain committed to supporting Film Florida’s member film festivals, conferences, and events. Today, 23 festivals and industry events are members of our organization. These events provide valuable networking, professional development, and promotional opportunities while offering accessible entry points for industry participation. Beyond their cultural impact, film festivals are important economic drivers for local communities and serve as vital gathering places for Florida’s creative professionals. We are proud to support these events and look forward to welcoming even more Florida-based festivals and conferences into our membership so we can help promote their efforts year-round.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as President of Film Florida. I look forward to working alongside our members, partners, and stakeholders to strengthen Florida’s screen production industry and create new opportunities for growth and success.

I hope to see you soon—whether virtually or in person—at our next Quarterly Meeting, September 8–9 in West Palm Beach, or at a future Film Florida event.

Sincerely,

Matt Wohl
President, Film Florida