The Film Task Force is a group of industry and community stakeholders assembled to advise the Office of Film + Music in its advocacy for, and policy related to, the City of Seattle’s support and growth of the local film industry and community. 

The Film Task Force was developed in response to OFM’s 2019 film industry roundtable discussions, which were held to identify ways the City could improve its support for filmmaking.  The impacts from COVID-19 to the film industry have brought urgency to this work.  The need to work closely with industry and community stakeholders is more critical than ever to develop pathways forward for the industry to survive and thrive.

The Film Task Force is comprised of film crew, businesses, actors, educators, associations, festivals, and labor organization representatives.  Its combined efforts are to collaboratively advise workplan priorities for the Office of Film + Music, and to strengthen film industry and community interaction with the Office of Film + Music and City of Seattle.  

Equity and inclusivity are the core of the Film Task Force’s work to advise the City on developing prioritization of film production in its permitting and policies, and its initiatives to grow Seattle’s reputation as a filmmaking destination as the center of the creative economy.  The Film Task Force has developed four subcommittees to move these priorities forward:

• Equity and Inclusivity: Embedding equity and inclusivity into all film office functions
• Film Commission: Development of an ordained Seattle Film Commission
• City prioritization / Cornerstone of Creative Economy: Prioritizing film production in City’s permitting, policy, and public property use, and identify pathways for filmmaking to thrive
• Market Seattle: Develop branding and marketing platforms to market Seattle as a filmmaking destination

The Film Task Force is co-chaired by Shellea Allen, Executive Director of SAG-AFTRA (Seattle Local), and Anthony Tackett, Seattle-based Cinematographer and Producer.  Mayor Durkan made introductions at the Film Task Force’s first meeting in February.

“The Film Task Force was assembled to work with the city of Seattle to advocate and develop policies to market and promote economic growth of Seattle’s film industry,” says Shellea Allen. “As our industry grows, we must make sure our communities are reflected in our policies; we must make sure the folks that work in the Seattle Film Industry, can live in Seattle.  We are doing our work together through the lens of racial, social, and economic justice.  I am excited to be part of the future of film in our city and be the co-chair of the Seattle Film Task Force.”

“We will align our goals with the Mayor’s vision for an equitable city,” says Anthony Tackett. “Where people of color, people of all gender and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities have an equal, if not better, opportunity to find success and to also play a more important role in the growth and development of the creative economy. Our work with the Film Task Force has become a signal of hope for folks who have felt left out of Seattle’s amazing film community.  I am proud to be doing this work with such amazing people.”

“You need a healthy film industry to develop a strong creative industries sector,” says Chris Swenson, OFM Acting Director. “Seattle has always had an incredible film community, and we’re excited to be working with such a diverse, thoughtful, and energetic group.  We’re looking forward to implementing their great ideas.”

In the coming months, The Film Task Force will be sharing its progress with you through the OFM newsletter, direct outreach to the Film Industry, and through networking events as we are able.