The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) has appointed Kevin “KJ” Jennings as its new president. He replaces Jess Conoplia, who joined AFCI’s leadership team in 2017 and has stepped down from her role as president to pursue other opportunities within the film and TV production industry.
Jennings takes the helm at AFCI after serving for 13 years as executive manager of Film Otago Southland (FOS), a regional film commission in New Zealand. He helped raise New Zealand’s profile as an international filming destination and make entertainment production a major contributor to the nation’s economy. Notable projects that filmed in the FOS region in recent years include Mulan, Mission: Impossible–Fallout and The Hobbit. Under Jennings’ leadership, FOS earned the 2019 “Outstanding Film Commission” award from the Location Managers Guild International.
Jennings’ appointment as president marks a return to AFCI, where he was a longtime member and served as board chair from 2016 to 2019.
“KJ brings the experience, expertise and connections required to lead AFCI into 2021 and the post-COVID world,” said AFCI Board chair and Buffalo Niagara film commissioner Tim Clark. “He understands our organization and is committed to helping members work more closely with content creators and policymakers.”
An immediate focus for Jennings will be to expand AFCI’s COVID-19 Global Production Alert resource, which provides the industry with updated information on pandemic-related policies worldwide.
“I’m excited to lead AFCI through this uniquely challenging time,” Jennings said. “Jess Conoplia did a remarkable job transforming AFCI, building our member community and helping film commissioners become more relevant to industry decision makers. I look forward to building on her success.”
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More