AFCI News Releases

AFCI GLOBAL INITIATIVES TO BE LAUNCHED AT 32ND ANNUAL CINEPOSIUM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2007 IN SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) launches the next phase of its Global Initiatives in Professional Development in conjunction with the 32nd annual AFCI Cineposium International Conference 2007 on August 26-30 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Hosted by the New Mexico Film Office, the event will be attended by members of the AFCI's global film commission network and industry professionals.  The AFCI is an organization comprised of professionals from more than 33 countries.

"The educational opportunity unveiled at Locations Trade Show in April and which we’re now launching capitalizes on the unique circumstances Cineposium represents.  This event brings together the collective brains trust of film commissioner professionals from around the world who serve the needs of the global production industry." says AFCI President Robin James.  "The Professional Development Program affords our members the knowledge, insights and skills that enhance capability and develop proficiencies which are highly valued by our partners in the film industry worldwide.

AFCI's Cineposium International Conference is held each year in one of the leading production centers around the world.  Prior events have been held in cities in Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States.  

"We are proud to be able to host this year's international conference," says New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.  "We have developed innovative initiatives that have resulted in significant economic impact for our state and we are pleased to be able to contribute to the dynamic and thought-provoking discussions that are the hallmark of this event."

AFCI launches first on-line course - Film Commission Fundamentals

For the first time, anyone needing to understand the basics of working in a film commission or who perform film liaison tasks has access to a professional development program.  The Film Commission Fundamentals course, launched on July 21 by the AFCI, is the first of its kind to be offered entirely on-line.  

"Our aim is to provide the best methods to deliver quality programs and set the standards on a global basis," says AFCI board Vice President of Professional Development Jenny Williams.  "The on-line course allows people from across the industry, from film commissioners and their staffs to economic developers to anyone who liaises with the film industry regarding on-site issues, to gain knowledge in a convenient way."

Film Commission Fundamentals is the first step in the AFCI's Professional Development Program and must be completed before attending the Film Commission Professional course at Cineposium 2007 for those new film commissions who are applying for membership in the organization.

Cineposium International Conference 2007:

This year's conference is poised to deliver four days of insightful and ground-breaking professional development programs.   The main Cineposium program, held August 28th - 29th takes full advantage of its New Mexico locale with the inclusion of topics and initiatives in which the state has been a leader and that have global appeal and impact.

Unique this year are the first offerings of AFCI's Master Class series on August 27th and 30th and a Special Presentation course on August 27th.

Select main program topics include:

“Going Green – Leaving a Light Footprint on our Environment.”
– Tues, Aug 28; 10:45am-12n
Learn ways to encourage environmentally conscious production in your region and develop partnerships with existing initiatives in your community.  Developed in cooperation with national environmental groups, this session provides information on how film commissions can provide the resources and practices necessary for film companies to “go green.”  

“Visual Effects -- Coming of Age.” -- Wed, Aug 29; 9:00-10:30am
Visual effects practitioners often use their skills to enhance or improve existing locations.  This session will feature a visual effects expert who will discuss what is achievable and what location experts need to know to integrate on-location knowledge with the possibilities of the visual effects world.

“Diversity – Above and Below the Line.” - Tues, Aug 28; 9:15am-10:30am
This session will explore how diversity in culture and perspective galvanizes the global force of the film industry and what programs, opportunities and organizations are dedicated to working on diversity issues that impact production.

For a complete list of panel discussions and topics, go to http://www.afci.org

AFCI launches Master Classes at Cineposium International Conference:

The AFCI, an international leader in film commission education, is launching the next phase of its Global Initiatives (announced at Locations Trade Show in April) this August at Cineposium in Santa Fe.  Two of four professional development courses in the Master Class series will be taught in conjunction with this year's event.   The courses are a prerequisite for film commissioners who wish to pursue accreditation as an AFCI Certified Film Commissioner.

Master Class offerings are:

“Marketing for Film Commissioners” - Mon, Aug 27; 9:00-5:00pm
A one-day course that will show how to develop an effective marketing program and will include advertising strategies, public relations campaigns, budgeting and allocation of marketing funds, tracking results and successful sales tactics and strategies.

”The Film Commissioner as Economic Developer” – Th, Aug 30; 9:00am-5:00pm
A one-day course takes a professional look at established economic development techniques, occluding ways to assess and develop key business relationships to create community value and the use of economic development tools and resources to achieve greater success.  




Special Presentation Course will also be offered at Cineposium International Conference 2007:

Also offered but not a part of the Master Class series is a special presentation open to the general public as well as attendees of the conference.

"The Essentials of Grant Writing" - Mon, August 27; 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
This 6-hour workshop is a hands-on approach to developing grant writing skills.  Moving beyond the basics, the course will include a variety of development strategies including idea generation, identification of potential funding sources and techniques for writing a compelling proposal.


The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) is the global professional organization whose members are film commissioners that assist film, television and video production throughout the world.  It is a non-profit educational association whose network of members serve as city, county, state, regional, provincial or national film commissioners for their respective governmental jurisdictions.

The goals and objectives of the AFCI's Professional Development Program are to further the development of knowledge and skills of film commissioners and industry professionals and to build international standards for film commissions and the vital services they provide to studios, producers, writers, directors, location managers and other industry professionals that engage in the work of on-location filming.