NETWORKING MIXER TO FEATURE PANEL OF AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKERS AND PRODUCTION PROFESSIONALS
Sarasota, FL The Sarasota County Film and Entertainment Office (SCFEO) and the Bradenton Area Film Commission will hold a joint networking mixer for film, television and other media production community professionals and other interested persons and organizations, hosted by the Powell Crosley Estate, 8374 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243 on Thursday, December 13, 2012 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The mixer will feature a panel discussion with award-winning filmmakers and production professionals about the exciting growth of the “faith-based” and “family friendly” genre of entertainment being produced in Florida and elsewhere. This field of entertainment has seen substantial increasing demand since the success of Sherwood Pictures‘ Fireproof, the highest grossing independent film of 2008. Confirmed speakers include:
Paul Sirmons, 30-year member of the Directors Guild of America, Producer/Line Producer whose faith-based credits include Home Run, The Way Back Home, Letters to God, Renee, The First of May, and the currently airing television pilot Last Stop, in addition to decades of credits on hit series such as Quantum Leap, seaQuest, The Waltons, Falcon Crest and much more. Mr. Sirmons is also a former State of Florida Film Commissioner (2005-2008).
Stuart Roth, Founder of the Center for Faith and Freedom, whose multi-media production company, Salt & Light Productions®, has been the recipient of 34 Telly Awards and Senior Producer Don Gangnagel has been presented with 2 Southeast Regional Emmy® awards for his work on the documentaries for Micaiah Ministries and the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center. Stuart was also one of the founders of Sonlight Broadcasting Systems, a faith-based family friendly television network with stations throughout the southeast.
Nicole Abisinio, producer of the upcoming major feature The Investigator , Nicole is known for her work as a producer, casting director, and actress with bases in New York and Florida. Owner and Manager of Gabriel’s Messenger Films, she has been running multiple production companies since 2006, including bringing multi-million dollar deals to the table for films with actors including Jack Black and Samuel L. Jackson.
Following the panel discussion, there will be a Q&A session with the audience. Attendees should RSVP online at: SCFEO 12/13/12 Mixer. The $10 admission fee for those who RSVP in advance to the mixer includes hors d’oeuvres, drawings for sponsor door prizes, and the presentations. Additionally, a cash bar will be available to attendees. Admission is $12 at the door.
The SCFEO will also give a brief summary of highlights from 2012’s film, television and other media production activities, which drove more than $10 million in economic impact into our region. More information can be found at www.filmsarasota.com
For additional information regarding this event, please call the Sarasota County Film Office at (941) 309-1200 extension 104.
The Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office (SCFEO) is a division of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. It seeks to attract film, television, commercial, documentary and other media production to create content, produce and shoot on location in Sarasota County, as well as to serve the region’s resident production community, improve and expand its resources, provide intergovernmental liaison and proactively market and promote Sarasota County’s assets to the entertainment industry as a whole. The SCFEO is a member in good standing of the Association of Film Commissioners International, Film Florida and other industry organizations.