Special Film Advocacy Meeting

California Film Commission Executive Director to Address Sacramento Filmmaking Community
Amy Lemisch of the state’s film agency to discuss the state of film and video production in California at February 16 advocacy meeting

Sacramento – California Film Commission Executive Director Amy Lemisch will discuss the state of film and video production in California with local professionals on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. The meeting is hosted by the Capital Film Arts Alliance, a local nonprofit dedicated to advancing film and video production, and will take place at the Art Institute of Sacramento starting at 7:00 p.m.
“Film and video production provides thousands of jobs in the state, including in the Sacramento region,” said Laurie Pederson, chair of the Capital Film Arts Alliance board. “We’re looking forward to hearing how local filmmakers can help keep creative jobs in California and promote our local talent and professionals in the industry.”
“If you are involved in or a supporter of the filmmaking community and Sacramento's burgeoning industry, you need to attend this meeting and learn about the future of filmmaking in Sacramento,” added Pederson.
Local film advocates and professionals will be on hand to discuss how to promote film production in Sacramento. The Mayor's film committee chair Don Roth, Executive Director of the Mondavi Center, will present the findings of his committee on recommended steps to developing the regions film industry and profile. Also attending will be the film commissioners from Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado Counties: Lucy Steffens (Sacramento), Beverly Lewis (Placer) and Kathleen Dodge (El Dorado). Mayor Kevin Johnson has also been invited and has tentatively agreed to attend if scheduling allows.
The February 16th meeting is one of a monthly speaker series from the Capital Film Arts Alliance. Experts in the filmmaking field – from camera and sound to contracts and funding – are asked to share their expertise and insights to Sacramento are filmmakers. The upcoming meeting is the second annual advocacy meeting aimed at furthering film production in the region. Last year former Assemblyman Paul Krekorian addressed a standing-room-only crowd on the state of film-production incentive proposals in the state Legislature.
About Amy Lemisch, Executive Director, California Film Commission
Amy Lemisch was appointed Executive Director of the California Film Commission by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in May 2004. As Director of the Film Commission, Ms. Lemisch works to support California’s vital film production industry by offering support services, providing filmmakers with low-cost alternatives when filming in the state, and educating decision makers about the value of filming in California. She coordinates with all levels of state and local governments to create film-friendly guidelines, reduce costs, and to eliminate restrictions with the goal of encouraging more film, television, and commercial productions to choose California as their premiere film production destination. She was instrumental in the successful creation of film and television tax incentives and administers the program for the state.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Lemisch was a Producer for Penny Marshall’s company, Parkway Productions, at Universal Studios and Sony Pictures. She was responsible for overseeing physical production on all Parkway projects as well as selecting new material for the company to produce.

In her fifteen-year long association with Marshall and Parkway, Ms. Lemisch has worked on nine feature films. Her past credits include: producer on the independent feature film With Friends Like These; co-producer on Riding In Cars With Boys (starring Drew Barrymore), The Preacher’s Wife (starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston) and Renaissance Man (starring Danny DeVito); associate producer on Awakenings, A League Of Their Own, and Calendar Girl. She was also the associate producer on the television series A League Of Their Own, which was adapted from the movie.

Ms. Lemisch is a member of the Directors Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America.


The CFAA 2010 annual Film Advocacy meeting featuring California Film Commission Executive Director Amy Lemisch will be held on February 16, 2010, at 7:00 p.m., at The Art Institute of Sacramento, 2850 Gateway Oaks Dr., Sacramento. The meeting is free to CFAA members; normal meeting attendee rates for non-members is $5, but the CFAA board voted to make the film advocacy meeting fee a voluntary contribution. CFAA membership rates are $35 for individual members and $15 for students; business and corporate sponsor members available as well. Contact the CFAA at info@capitalfilmarts.com for more information.