It’s official — the Fort Worth Film Commission has launched, following its approval for accreditation from the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI), an organization that gives formal recognition to film commissions around the world.
The CVB hosted a launch party for the film commission Tuesday at Reata in downtown Fort Worth, with representatives from the CVB and local production companies, as well as Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, in attendance.
“We’re excited about where we see it going, so keep the energy up,” Price said. “Know that Fort Worth is here behind you.”
The film commission, which will be a department within the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), will act as a liaison for filmmakers who want to shoot in Fort Worth. The commission would be responsible for duties such as helping filmmakers secure locations, connecting filmmakers with local production companies and putting out crew and casting calls.
The role of film commissioner will go to the CVB’s director of public relations and film marketing, Jessica Christopherson, who has worked for Fox Broadcasting Co. in Los Angeles and has a background in television production. She is in the process of taking courses via the AFCI in order to receive film commissioner certification.
The commission has raised about $45,000 with the help of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Red Productions, the Sid Richardson Foundation, RideTV and the CVB, said Bob Jameson, president and CEO of the CVB.
Jameson said the commission would continue raising money to help fund its launch, as well as travel with the Texas Film Commission to market the Fort Worth Film Commission to filmmakers across the U.S.
The launch of the Fort Worth Film Commission comes two weeks before the Lone Star Film Festival, which takes place Nov. 5-8 in downtown Fort Worth.
“We like doing business here as filmmakers,” said Red Sanders, president of Fort Worth-based production company Red Productions. “We think other people would like it as well because of the can-do attitude in Fort Worth. I think this film commission is a testament to that.”