Seattle City Council confirms first members of film commission to boost local film and TV industry

SEATTLE — The Seattle City Council unanimously confirmed the appointment of the Seattle Film Commission’s first 10 members on Tuesday.

The commission, established through legislation passed last September, is meant to aid in strengthening the city’s film and television industries.

“This new Film Commission is a chance to tap into the knowledge of our industry professionals to attract new TV and film productions and build opportunities for local creatives and visionaries. I’m excited to see the innovative ideas the commission puts forward to put Seattle back on the big screen where it belongs,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell.

Each of the 10 members, selected from among 170 applicants, represents a different film-related discipline, such as film production, on-screen talent and film educators. They were chosen based on their “professional track record, lived experience, and commitment to lifting up workers across all disciplines in the industry,” according to Councilmember Sara Nelson.

The 10 commissioners will also appoint one additional member to the commission, who will represent emerging technologies, such as augmented and virtual reality.

“It’s time to get beyond the wide shot of the Space Needle and showcase more of our town — from the waterfront to southeast Seattle and everything in between. These are the right people to help put Seattle back on the map as a premier filmmaking city, and I appreciate their motivation to serve,” said Nelson.

The commission plans to build on recent work to revitalize the state’s film industry, including work by the state legislature to raise the state’s filmmaking incentive to $15 million and the construction of a 117,000-square-foot soundstage in King County, which opened last year.

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