Okaloosa County BOCC — June 23, 2016 — I. g. Toronto Film Festival

TOURIST DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: June 23, 2016 TO: Tourist Development Council FROM: Ed Schroeder, Tourist Development Department Director Gail Morgan, Film Commission Liaison SUBJECT: Toronto Film Festival STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request approval for Film Commission Liaison to attend the Toronto Film Festival, September 7 - 19, 2016. BACKGROUND: The goal of the Film Commission Liaison is to promote and market Okaloosa County as a premier location for production and entertainment companies to shoot or film their projects, and in doing so provide employment opportunity for the Emerald Coast production community. This goal can’t be achieved without traveling to events where industry decision makers gather. The Toronto International Film Festival has grown and developed into a major festival for Hollywood awards films, independent film and international productions, as well as established a strong film market tie-in with many international buyers and sellers. Film Florida has participated in this festival and market the past three years and has deemed it one of the best opportunities for industry clients and also as a valued tourism feeder market. By participating with Film Florida (as we do for Tribeca in New York and Produced By in Los Angeles), we have the opportunity to market and promote Okaloosa County and sponsor events with high profile clientele to not only a national clientele but also an international clientele, including producers that still have interest in producing in Florida even without entertainment incentive funding from the state. Cannes, Sundance, and Toronto are the top three film festivals. St. Petersburg/Clearwater attends Cannes and Miami attends Sundance, both spending $50K+ for a presence there. Toronto was selected because it is the most economical and offers the best ROI in terms of exposure for the dollar. Furthermore, Toronto is also part of the snowbird leisure market. The Film Commission Liaison attended Toronto in 2015. It is difficult to calculate return on investment for any one specific film industry event, as the local production business cannot typically be directly attributable to any single factor. However, the most significant change since attending last year’s Toronto Film Festival is an increase in higher profile clients coming to shoot here. In this current environment there are many film producers crossing over to television and many of those clients attend Toronto. Attached are emails from two industry leaders explaining the importance of Toronto and being present at film industry events where decision makers gather. The Toronto Film Festival takes place September 8 - 18 in Toronto, Canada. The estimated cost of attendance for the Film Commission Liaison is $6,289 in accordance with the Florida Statute guidelines for foreign travel. This film festival was identified as an important event after the FY16 budget was developed; however, funds are available for this travel. Florida Statutes and the TDD Manual require Board approval for foreign travel. OPTIONS: Approve or Deny. RECOMMENDATION TO BCC: Approve the Film Commission Liaison to attend the Toronto Film Festival, September 7 - 19, 2016.