The Film Task Force is a diverse group of film industry and community stakeholders that advise the Office of Film + Music and the City of Seattle on ways to best support and grow the local film industry and community. The Task Force has developed key priority subcommittees that are focused on equity and inclusion, the film commission, film production in Seattle, and making Seattle a prime location for film production. 

The Film Task Force works as representatives of the regional film community and industry, acting as their voice for the economic development of film in our region. The Film Task Force centers its representations with the understanding that the local film industry is the backbone of the content and creative industries, and its success is in the economic, cultural, and educational interest of the region.    

The Film Task Force’s City Policy Subcommittee focuses on all film-related policies within the City of Seattle. The primary issues and objectives being addressed by this committee include the following: 

• Advocating for the proper budget and staffing levels at the Office of Film + Music 

• Ensuring Seattle’s film policies are competitive with peer cities and national standards 

• Encouraging all City of Seattle departments, and any local tax-funded organizations, to use local agencies, production companies, and workers to create and produce content 

• Encouraging policies and initiatives that support the film industry’s Covid-19 back-to-work protocols 

• Addressing the issues of payroll protection and wage theft within the film industry 

• Advising regarding City policies for the use of uniformed police officers, and/or alternatives, in support of film productions 

• Supporting the effort to identify and establish sustainable regional production support facilities and infrastructure 

• Establishing and maintaining robust relationships with the various city officials, departments and private organizations that will support policies to ensure the growth of the local film industry 

Seattle’s film industry has been significantly impacted by COVID-19, with all Seattle production work halted from March through July. Additionally, the City is anticipating a more than $300 million budget shortfall in 2020.  The City Policy Subcommittee’s responsibility is to advise the City to maintain core service functions, and work with the film industry to create policy and initiatives to reopen and grow film production work to revive and grow the local film industry. 

The City Policy Subcommittee look forward to continued advisement and work with the City and Office of Film + Music as the Film Commission recommendations are considered.