ARTS, CULTURE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

MAYORS AND CITY FILM COMMISSIONS

WHEREAS, the first film commission was formed during the late 1940's in response to the need for film companies to have a local government liaison who could coordinate essential municipal and government services for shooting a production on location; and

WHEREAS, as more production companies began to look beyond the limits of a regular production center for realistic and varied locations, more cities began to see the need for production coordination liaison; and

WHEREAS, film and video production companies each year millions of dollars in economic benefits to local economies; and

WHEREAS, the American film industry is recognized around the world as the leader in the entertainment industry; and

WHEREAS, mayors have established city film offices to attract film and video production to their cities in order to accrue locally-realized benefits from hiring local crews and talent, renting local equipment, using hotel rooms, rental cars, catering services or any number of goods and services supplied on location as well as visitors; and

WHEREAS, a Task Force on Mayors and City Film Commissioners was established by Conference President Wellington E. Webb and film issues were at the Conference of Mayors Winter Leadership Meeting,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Conference of Mayors urges mayors to build partnerships with their local film offices and commissions to attract filmmakers to their cities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Conference of Mayors encourages dialogue between mayors and the film industry to examine further partnership opportunities and promote American cities as film and video production centers.