Santa Monica, CA – Former AFCI President and New York State Film Commissioner Pat Swinney Kaufman was presented the prestigious Arthur M. Loew Jr Crystal Vision Award in a ceremony during Locations Trade Show week in Santa Monica, California. The Award honors a present or former AFCI member for steering programs or projects that advance critical AFCI goals. The Award is named after the late Arthur Loew, who was instrumental in steering the AFCI and its early development.
“Receiving the Crystal Vision Award from the AFCI is an exceptional honor for me,” said Kaufman. “AFCI Film Commissioners are an extraordinary group of professionals committed to providing the highest level of service to the entertainment industries worldwide. To be recognized by this worldwide professional organization in this way, is very humbling.”
Kaufman has served on the AFCI Board for 11 years, including four years as President. She currently serves as the Chair of the AFCI Certification Task Force, a new initiative of the AFCI to award highly trained AFCI members with the Certified Film Commissioner designation. Kaufman is the 12th recipient of the Crystal Vision Award since it was created in 1989.
“The Arthur M. Lowe Crystal Vision Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a film commissioner and it’s hard to imagine a better recipient than Pat,” said AFCI President Mary Nelson. “Pat has earned this award because of her exceptional leadership, long service and dedication to the AFCI and its members. Her enthusiasm and commitment to the AFCI are an inspiration to us all.”
Regina Loew, Arthur’s wife, said she’s pleased the Award went to a dedicated AFCI volunteer. “Arthur had great fondness for the AFCI and its members. He would be pleased to know the AFCI Arthur M. Loew Jr Crystal Vision Award was presented to such a committed AFCI Member.”
Previous Award recipients have included:
- Arthur Loew, Jr., AFCI Advisory Board
- Suzy Kellett, Illinois Film Office, USA
- Bill MacCallum, Arizona Film Commission, USA
- Joe O’Kane, San Jose Film & Video Commission, USA
- Bill Lindstrom, Wyoming Film Office, USA
- Leigh von der Esch, Utah Film Commission, USA
- Gail Thomson, Ontario Film Development Corporation, CANADA
- Isabel Hill, South Carolina Film Office, USA
- Lonie Stimac, Montana Film Office, USA
- Dr. Paul Mingard, Northern Screen Commission, UNITED KINGDOM
- Ward Emling, Mississippi Film Office, USA
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The AFCI is the official professional organization for film commissioners who assist film, television and video production throughout the world. It is a non-profit association whose members serve as city, county, state, regional, provincial, or national film commissioners for their respective governmental jurisdictions.
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