Bill Lindstrom will resign from his position as CEO of the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) on Oct. 31. Lindstrom was hired eight years ago as the AFCI’s first chief executive.
AFCI board president Mary Nelson said a search for a new CEO is underway with plans to announce Lindstrom’s successor by the end of 2009.
Prior to becoming AFCI CEO, Lindstrom started and led the state film commissions for Iowa and Wyoming for 15 years. During his film commission years, Lindstrom also served four terms on the AFCI board of directors, including as AFCI board president from 1989-’90. He has been honored with the AFCI’s two service awards, the Dutch Horton and Crystal Vision Awards, for his work to improve AFCI’s professional development and marketing programs.
In a released statement, Lindstrom related, “What a remarkable experience. AFCI-member film commissions worldwide have grown dramatically in influence and value to their jurisdictions and to the creative industries. I feel fortunate to have been a part of that growth….and to have worked alongside the scores of visionary AFCI leaders committed to that purpose.”
Nelson described Lindstrom’s dedication to the AFCI and to the work of film commissioners worldwide as “exemplary.”
The AFCI has set up a website link for interested and prospective CEO applicants to access–www.afci.org/career–in order to learn about and apply for the position.
Utah Leaders and Locals Rally To Keep Sundance Film Festival In The State
With the 2025 Sundance Film Festival underway, Utah leaders, locals and longtime attendees are making a final push — one that could include paying millions of dollars — to keep the world-renowned film festival as its directors consider uprooting.
Thousands of festivalgoers affixed bright yellow stickers to their winter coats that read "Keep Sundance in Utah" in a last-ditch effort to convince festival leadership and state officials to keep it in Park City, its home of 41 years.
Gov. Spencer Cox said previously that Utah would not throw as much money at the festival as other states hoping to lure it away. Now his office is urging the Legislature to carve out $3 million for Sundance in the state budget, weeks before the independent film festival is expected to pick a home for the next decade.
It could retain a small presence in picturesque Park City and center itself in nearby Salt Lake City, or move to another finalist — Cincinnati, Ohio, or Boulder, Colorado — beginning in 2027.
"Sundance is Utah, and Utah is Sundance. You can't really separate those two," Cox said. "This is your home, and we desperately hope it will be your home forever."
Last year's festival generated about $132 million for the state of Utah, according to Sundance's 2024 economic impact report.
Festival Director Eugene Hernandez told reporters last week that they had not made a final decision. An announcement is expected this year by early spring.
Colorado is trying to further sweeten its offer. The state is considering legislation giving up to $34 million in tax incentives to film festivals like Sundance through 2036 — on top of the $1.5 million in funds already approved to lure the Utah festival to its neighboring... Read More