The next Film Florida Friday is Friday September 10, 2021 at 9:30am EDT featuring Destin-Fort Walton Beach Film Commission and Film Florida President Gail Morgan alongside Miami Dade County Office of Film and Entertainment and Film Florida 1st Vice President Sandy Lighterman.
Listen and talk to two film commissioners as they explain the role of a local film office. One comes from a large market in Southeast Florida and the other comes from a small market in Northwest Florida but they both have the same goal: to grow and nurture the industry while attracting more jobs and opportunity to Florida.
Local Film Commissioners
Friday September 10, 2021
9:30am EST
Registration is free but required. Film Florida Fridays are free interactive conversations about current topics, initiatives and relationship-building in Florida’s film, television, commercial, photography and digital media industry. These conversations take place one Friday each month at 9:30am EST on Zoom, where industry professionals and up-and-comers are encouraged to gather with a cup of coffee, ask questions and speak directory with industry leaders. Meet and engage with key industry professionals at the forefront of content creation, innovation, and the promotion and development of Florida’s entertainment production industry.
Gail Morgan
Gail Morgan has been with the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Film Commission (formerly the Emerald Coast Film Commission) for ten years. Prior to becoming the Film Commissioner, she was a Producer and Production Manager for more than twenty years. Gail Morgan has exceptional experience working on a variety of productions in the entertainment industry including, but not limited to, feature films, television series, commercials, documentary films, large arena events with 10,000 plus participants, parades, festivals, musicals and musical tours, theatrical events, corporate entertainment events, conferences and celebrity galas. Gail’s strengths include client relations, team building and overall project budget management. She has expertise with multi-million dollar budgets and a great capacity for keeping all aspects of a production on schedule and under budget. Gail’s ability to communicate positively and patiently with clients, locations, vendors, crews and talent makes her an effective Film Commissioner, and she looks forward to bringing those skills to the table as the President for Film Florida.
Sandy Lighterman
Sandy Lighterman is the Film and Entertainment Commissioner for Miami-Dade County. Under her purview is County’s Office of Film & Entertainment. Ms. Lighterman is responsible for the growth and development of the Billion Dollar film, television, music, digital media, commercial advertising and still photography industry in Miami-Dade County. In 2017, she created and helped shepherd through the County Commission, one of the first countywide inducement programs in the wake of the State’s canceled film & entertainment industry tax incentive program. Ms. Lighterman is the Chief advocate for entertainment production for Miami-Dade County. Ms. Lighterman serves as an advisor to the Miami Dade College School of Entertainment and Design Technology as well is the Chairman of their Advisory Board. Ms. Lighterman serves on other Advisory Boards: Miami Media and Film Market, Florida International University School of Journalism and the PBS Film-maker program. She also serves as a judge for various Film Festivals including for the Miami International Film Festival. Ms. Lighterman is a participant in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. She has received several advocacy awards for her work supporting the industry. Ms. Lighterman joined the Miami-Dade County Office of Film & Entertainment in 2008, enjoying an extensive and successful 25+ year career producing 200+ music videos and TV commercials, as well as, television series and independent films. In 2007, she retired from her production career in order to stay closer to home and her now grown children. Ms. Lighterman holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from the University of Miami.