Annoucements

Frederick Film Office Kickoff Luncheon on March 25th

March 8, 2011

Anyone interested in learning more about getting involved in the film industry in Frederick County is encouraged to attend an event on Friday, March 25th. The Frederick Film Office, a program of the Frederick Arts Council (FAC), will officially kick off their activities with a luncheon that day at the Home at Braddock Inn. The luncheon starts at 12:00 p.m.

Jack Gerbes, director of the Maryland Film Office, will serve as keynote speaker. Gerbes will discuss the economic and social impact of film. Gerbes joined the Maryland Film Office in 1992, and was named Director of the Film Office in 2002. During his tenure, Jack has worked on over 100 feature films and television series. His credits include: “Ladder 49”, “Enemy of the State”, “Runaway Bride”, “Wedding Crashers”, “Gods and Generals” and the HBO series “The Wire”. He is on the advisory board of the Maryland Film Festival and Women in Film and Video of Maryland. In addition, he has served on the jury of the Kratkofil Film Festival in Bosnia. Gerbes received the Guardian Angel from Women in Film and Video and was named a Baltimorean of the Year by Baltimore Magazine in 2004.

In addition to the keynote remarks, representatives from the Frederick Film Office will share ways in which businesses, individuals, filmmakers, and others can participate in or benefit from potential film projects coming to the community.

The mission of the Frederick Film Office (FFO) is to support, attract, and promote film, television, and multimedia projects in Frederick County, Maryland. The film office is supported by an advisory committee which includes representatives from the Frederick Arts Council, Tourism Council of Frederick County, City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, Hood College, Frederick Community College, the 72 Film Fest, Frederick Film Festival, as well as independent filmmakers.

In Frederick County, there is tremendous opportunity to develop new businesses and cultivate a film industry. Frederick County has numerous physical assets, including historic towns and properties and green space. Potential exists for the film industry to have an economic impact in the county. Frederick is already a thriving arts community, and film is an important component of the local arts sector.

“Last year the film and television industry had an economic impact of $39 million in the State of Maryland. When a film comes into an area it means jobs and revenue for local businesses, large and small. It is exciting that Frederick County has formed their own film office and is being proactive in attracting this industry,” said Gerbes.

The luncheon will also help open the Frederick Film Festival (F3) which is scheduled that weekend. As a result, a short film shot in Frederick will be shown over lunch and recent success stories will be shared with attendees. For example, a small project by a national cable network directly resulted in over $12,000 in actual spending in Frederick County in less than a week of production.

The cost of the luncheon is $20 per person and advance registration is required. To purchase a ticket, please call 301-662-4190. The Home at Braddock Inn is located at 4830 Schley Avenue in Braddock Heights. For more information about the event, email film@frederickartscouncil.org or visit the Frederick Film Office on Facebook.