San Francisco, CA – Today, Film SF, the official film office for the City & County of San Francisco, in partnership with the San Francisco Film Commission, proudly releases its annual Impact Report for the fiscal year 2022-2023. Film productions in SF generated over $19M in direct economic output during this period. The report highlights significant achievements in the local film industry despite facing unpredictable weather and pending union negotiations. The Commission is also excited to announce brand and media relations strategist Jack Song as the newly-elected vice president and the re-election of Villy Wang as the commission’s president, marking a historic moment as both commission leaders are openly queer Asian Americans with in-depth experience and network in the film industry.
“San Francisco’s film industry continues to significantly contribute both to our local economy and the City's global profile, helping draw millions of visitors from around the world," said Mayor London N. Breed. "Film productions bring a surge of local jobs, help our small businesses, highlight our vibrant neighborhoods, and elevate San Francisco as a world-class destination. We look forward to welcoming more productions in our City as we build on the incredible progress unfolding in San Francisco."
“As highlighted in our Film SF Impact Report, the state of San Francisco’s film production remains dynamic and robust,” says Film SF Executive Director Manijeh Fata. “Our city continues to be a beacon for filmmakers worldwide, offering unparalleled staff resources, knowledge, talent, and diversity. This year's report, along with new film commissioner leadership, not only reflects our resilience and adaptability but also underscores our commitment to nurturing and expanding the rich tapestry of storytelling that San Francisco’s signature offering.”
Impact Report Highlights:
- Film SF's partnership with key San Francisco-based media and arts organizations helped to launch the inaugural Spotlight on San Francisco at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, highlighting the city’s local talents, film production ecosystem, and resources. The event further enhances San Francisco as a prime storytelling destination for creators.
- Film SF facilitated over 270 productions, 486 shoot days, and generated close to $91,3000 in permit fees.
- Highlighted projects include Amazon TV's I’m a Virgo by Bay Area filmmaker Boots Riley, Apple TV’s The Last Thing He Told Me, starring Jennifer Garner, and SF Travel’s Always San Francisco campaign. Additionally, The Art of Love, an independent film based on a book by James Franco's mother, was shot in iconic neighborhoods like the Tenderloin, Buena Vista Park, and Haight. A local commercial, a collaboration between Step One Films and Señor Sisig, was filmed at the Ferry Building and Valencia Street.
Leadership highlights:
- Manijeh Fata was appointed as the executive director for Film SF. Prior to her appointment, Fata, with Film SF since 2015, adeptly led projects like The Last Black Man in San Francisco, The Matrix Resurrections, 'Venom, Beautiful Boy, Hulu's Chance, and Netflix's The OA, demonstrating significant coordination skills and fostering studio relationships.
- Appointed in 2019 by Mayor London N. Breed, Jack Song is the newly-elected Film Commission Vice President. With over two decades of experience as a brand and communications executive, he has masterfully crafted integrated marketing campaigns for more than 150 commercial and independent films such as Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Better Luck Tomorrow, 8: The Mormon Proposition, and has been instrumental in launching several well-known global startups. Song will lead alongside President Villy Wang, appointed by then-Mayor Gavin Newsom and reappointed by Mayor London N. Breed. Wang is a seasoned attorney and the founder, president, and CEO of BAYCAT (Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology), a 20-year-old nonprofit that contributes to the filmmaking industry by educating and employing young Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, and women creatives.
Film SF and the Film Commission have set their priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, focusing on securing a state-of-the-art soundstage, attracting more film productions through targeted marketing campaigns, and creating partnerships to support diverse storytellers with access to necessary resources.
"Welcoming Jack Song to Film SF as our newly elected Vice President is an invigorating moment for us,” says President Wang. “Together, we're dedicated to championing our talented and passionate filmmaking community, emphasizing the vital role of diverse storytellers in our pursuit of a more inclusive and vibrant film industry in San Francisco."
Notable upcoming productions include Josephine written/directed by Beth de Araújo and produced by David Kaplan and Joshua Berine-Golden and Outerlands written/directed by Elena Oxman and produced by Marc Smolowitz. Film SF and the Commission will be in Park City, Utah, from January 18 to January 23, showcasing San Francisco creators at the prestigious Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals, and promoting the City as a prime location for film production.
For more information on the San Francisco Film Office and its efforts to promote film production in the city, visit: https://sf.gov/departments/office-economic-and-workforce-development/film-sf
About Film SF
Film SF and the San Francisco Film Commission champion filming in San Francisco. We are a City agency that strives to attract a diversity of storytellers to the cinematic city of San Francisco and foster filming to stimulate economic development, create jobs, and share the beauty of our city with the rest of the world. For more information, visit Film SF.
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