The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) has elected its first female majority board of directors and its first Europe-based chairperson in more than a decade. In all, the 2022 AFCI board is the most geographically and culturally diverse in the organization’s 46-year history.
Bas van der Ree from the Netherlands Film Commission becomes AFCI’s first board chairperson representing Europe in more than a decade. He will lead the 2022 AFCI board which is the organization’s most geographically and culturally diverse to date, as well as the first female majority board (eight of 11 members) in AFCI’s 46-year history.
“AFCI’s Board represents the diverse needs and interests of our members, and I feel very honored to serve as chair,” said van der Ree. “Our newly elected, culturally diverse board will aim to further nurture and grow sustainable connections between industry professionals from all corners of the globe. We’ll also celebrate our amazing locations and staff.”
A longtime AFCI member, van der Ree previously served as the board’s 1st vice chair. He has been the Netherlands film commissioner since 2014, when the nation’s film production incentive was launched.
“I’m thrilled to work with Bas and such a smart and geographically-diverse board,” said AFCI president Eve Honthaner. “Each member brings the experience and perspective needed to work collectively to cement AFCI’s reputation as a valued global entity. Our 2022 board is committed to helping AFCI grow and thrive.”
Officers include 1st vice chair Donne Dawson from the Hawaii State Film Office, 2nd vice chair Silvia Echeverri from the Colombia Film Commission, secretary Sorrel Geddes from the British Film Commission and treasurer Steven Davenport from Screen Ireland.
The board also includes three newly elected members–Gina Black from Screen Queensland, Marnie Gee from Creative BC and Renee Robinson from Film Jamaica. Three members–van der Ree, Dawson, and the Mississippi Film Office's Nina Parikh–have been re-elected for new two-year terms.
Finally, the four members returning for the second year of their two-year terms are Davenport, Echeverri and Geddes, along with Timothy Owase from the Kenya Film Commission and Erin Stam from AusFilm. Outgoing chair Tim Clark from the Buffalo Niagara Film Office will serve as ex-officio board member.
AFCI’s 2022 board will focus on empowering film commissions to face a rapidly changing global production landscape driven by an ever-increasing demand for content. Workforce training, infrastructure development, technology adoption, and, of course, the ongoing impact of COVID are all on the agenda.
