In early December, VP of Integrated Communications Philip Sokoloski delivered a presentation on “The State of Production in LA” at the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Entertainment Industry Conference. The same week, FilmLA CEO Denise Gutches attended NewFilmmakers Los Angeles’ 2025 Student Mentorship ceremony. As a sponsor of the California On-Location Awards (COLAs), produced by Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS), numerous FilmLA staff were on hand December 7 to honor and celebrate this year’s awardees. FilmLA Board Member Ed Duffy (Teamsters Local 399) was also honored at the ceremony with the 2025 COLA Legacy Award. Senior leaders also joined City of Los Angeles film liaison Steve Kang and LAPD, LAFD, and Park Film Office representatives to discuss criteria for a low-impact permit pilot program set to debut in the New Year. We look forward to sharing more news about the program soon!
While engaging in their typical conflict resolution and sustainability work over the last two months in Hancock Park, Shadow Hills, Westwood Village and Jefferson Park (to name a few), Outreach and Education team members Adrian Fayad and Karla Maqueda had a chance to present at a meeting of the Highland Park Neighborhood Council, as well as meet with representatives for the Downtown LA Historic Core. Both events provided opportunities for the team to answer questions and provide education on FilmLA’s services and resources.
In January, FilmLA CEO, Denise Gutches and VP of External Affairs, Donna Washington met with staff from the office of Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove to discuss filming in California’s 37th District and federal film incentives. Denise and Donna also met with Marquita Thomas, Founding President and CEO of the California LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. Denise also met with Ri-Karlo Handy of the Handy Foundation to talk about the newly-formed FilmLA Foundation and possible partnership opportunities. Outreach team members Tim Overbeck and Adrian Fayad joined Donna and City and County film liaisons at a meeting to discuss filming logistics for Freemantle’s upcoming Baywatch series reboot. Denise gave remarks at East End Studios Mission Campus ribbon cutting, alongside Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Teamsters 399 Secretary-Treasurer Lindsay Dougherty, and East End managing partner Shep Wainwright. Philip Sokoloski attended Ashes to Films / Stay in LA’s LA Wildfire Summit at Quixote Studios, where panels of featured speakers included Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, Culver City Mayor Dan O’Brien, and California Film Commission Executive Director Colleen Bell.
