News from the Office of Film + Music - March 5, 2020

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 03/05/2020 07:30 PM PST
Seattle Office of Film + Music logo

News from the Office of Film + Music | Vol. 14, No. 4 | March 5, 2020
Photo Credit: Seattle Farmrs Market Association

COVID-19 Guidance for Special Events 

The City of Seattle remains in close coordination with the Centers for Disease Control, the Washington State Department of Health and Public Health – Seattle & King County, following the guidance of these agencies leading on the COVID-19 response. Authorities continue to emphasize that everyone takes steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This is a quickly evolving situation; please see the statement from the Special Events Committee Chair regarding COVID-19 and public gathers, read more.

Stay Up-to-Date

Public Health - Seattle & King County: Twitter, Facebook, Website  

Washington State Department of Health: Twitter, Facebook,Website

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): Twitter, Facebook, Website

Chris Swenson named Office of Film and Music Acting Director

The Office of Film + Music is excited to announce that Chris Swenson will serve as OFM Acting Director until the new Inclusive Creative Industries Director is hired later this year.  Swenson has been with OFM since 2008, and has managed the Film + Special Events Programs and served as Special Event Committee Chair since 2012, following a 17 year career in the film and music industries.  OFM thanks ARTS Director Randy Engstrom for leading our 2019 industry outreach and overseeing our work since Kate Becker left the City to lead King County Executive Dow Constantine’s “King County Creative” office and initiative last March.

 Chris Swenson named Office of Film and Music Acting Director

WHAT'S NEW

Film Task Force with Mayor Jenny Durkan

Film Task Force

Thank you, film industry and community, for applying and submitting nominations to be a part of the Seattle Film Task Force!  The Film Task Force members began work in February, with introductions from Mayor Jenny Durkan. Read more.
Capitol Hill Broadway/Union

Capitol Hill Special Events Survey

In 2019 the City commissioned the “Capitol Hill Events Survey and Report” to understand the cumulative impacts of major events in the Capitol Hill neighborhood through interviews, focus groups, and online surveys with over 700 business, residents, and event organizers.  Read the survey’s recommendations and here.  Mark your calendars for the next public meeting regarding Capitol Hill special events at the Wednesday, April 8 Special Events Committee meeting (postponed from the planned March 11 meeting)! Read more

INDUSTRY HEADLINES

Future fun: The biggest upcoming nightlife events in Seattle - Seattle Times 

This Week in South Seattle - Blacks Making History: Storytelling & Liberation, Seattle Asian American Film Fest, Celebrating Mardi Gras & More - South Seattle Emerald 

Meet the 2020 Seattle Asian American Film Festival Jury - International Examiner 

And Then We Danced Is a Gay Romance with High Stakes - The Stranger 

Cathy Yan's rapid rise from journalist to 'Birds of Prey' director: 'I didn't think you could do this professional' - Washington Post

A Winding Trip Reverberates in Cinema - New York Times