Jaclyn Philpott appointed as executive director of the Association of Film Commissioners International

Jaclyn Philpott has been appointed executive director of the Association of Film Commissioners International – a newly created position which she will take up on 3 January. As the new leader of the organization, she succeeds former AFCI president Eve Honthaner, who resigned in September for personal reasons.

“I am honored to have been elected as the new Executive Director of AFCI and I am excited about the opportunity to work closely with our members around the world to build on the achievements of my predecessors. The show industry is at a turning point in history and I see significant opportunities for growth and collaboration,” said Philpott, a native of New Zealand. “There’s a Māori proverb that says ‘He Waka Eke Noa’, which translates to ‘We’re all in this together. We rise together, fall together, work together and move on together.’”

In her new role, Philpott will relocate to Los Angeles, home of AFCI’s headquarters, and will focus on growing the most geographically and culturally diverse membership base in the organization’s nearly 50-year history. A key focus, AFCI said in a statement, “will help film commissions work with government policymakers to recognize the positive impact a vibrant film sector has on regional economic and cultural development, job creation and tourism. His other immediate goals include raising education and diversity awareness to empower AFCI members to create effective programs in their regions.

Philpott recently teamed up with New Zealand’s largest economic and cultural development agency – Tātaki Auckland Unlimited – to co-design and produce the economic development conference ‘Auckland’s Future, Now’, which focuses on the impact of Covid-19 and the expansion of the cooperation between private and public concentrated sectors. She also developed business programs for the Tripartite Economic Alliance, the 36th Americas Cup and the World Masters Games.

Other projects she has worked on include the development of the award-winning Invest Auckland website and marketing/PR campaigns for Screen Auckland’s participation in the Toronto International Film Festival and Techweek New Zealand. She also led the ongoing marketing efforts for Screen Auckland and worked with regional film agencies across New Zealand.

Her appointment follows an extensive global search of more than 120 candidates. “We have chosen a seasoned professional with the skills and global experience needed to make AFCI a success,” said AFCI Chairman and Dutch Film Commissioner Bas van der Ree. “Jaclyn will work with our global members, manufacturing industry leaders and government policymakers to make AFCI an even more valuable resource.”

“After a successful search with candidates from around the world, I look forward to seeing Jaclyn take a new strategic direction that will serve AFCI well over the next decade,” said Michael Walbrecht, member of the AFCI Advisory Board and Warner Bros. … Discovery vice president of public affairs. “Productions depend on well-trained film committees, and AFCI is on the front lines of ensuring that committees are prepared to handle projects – both large and small – in their areas of responsibility.”

Founded in 1975, AFCI provides advocacy, connectivity and education to film commissions and companies in the film industry to drive economic growth in inclusive and sustainable ways. It also hosts two signature events each year – AFCI Week and Cineposium – which attract visitors, speakers and exhibitors from around the world.