A rebranded nonprofit seeks to bolster northwest Pa.’s film industry. What Film Erie plans

A new brand has been created for local filmmakers combining two film organizations in northwest Pennsylvania.

The new brand, Film Erie, is the combination of the Film Society of Northwest Pennsylvania and the Greater Erie Film Office. The 501(c)(3) organization focuses on film culture, or local filmmakers and enthusiasts, and programing of the Erie area.

“We’re just looking to bring it under one roof and create more of a solid film identity for northwest Pa.,” said Jessica Taylor, executive director of Film Erie.

With the new rebrand comes some rebuilding, and Film Erie is still recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-COVID, the Greater Erie Film Office and Film Society of Northwest Pennsylvania were gaining momentum, according to Taylor.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the local film organizations saw productions stall and gatherings restricted or limited.

“We’re picking up where they left off but with new board leadership this past year,” Taylor said. “That includes organization restructuring, bringing everything under one roof, and looking to strengthen the film industry in northwest Pa.”

Building a solid foundation for the local film industry

One major priority that Film Erie is focused on is building a crew and a database. Film Erie officials say they are looking to provide a central hub of resources for anyone wanting to film in Erie. The database will connect potential filmmakers with a local crew and filming locations.

When filmmakers come to Erie, Taylor said they scout locations and need resources including extras (background actors) or props. Film Erie is striving to be the VisitErie of the film industry where it can provide those resources to visiting filmmakers.

“We’re looking to provide a central hub for resources so when someone wants to do a project here we can connect them with our local crew and locations,” Taylor said. “When you bring a production into the area, it’s like bringing in a company. They are going to need everything from accountants and lawyers to places to stay. We want to connect them with other organizations in the area that can help facilitate them.”

Part of this plan includes a new website for Film Erie that has a frequently asked questions page with topics relating to filming in the Erie area.

Grants from Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority and Erie Arts and Culture

Taylor said the rebrand idea was aided through grants from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority and Erie Arts and Culture.

A $3,267 special events grant, along with a $5,000 arts, culture and heritage grant, both from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, aim to support continuous and well-known projects from Film Erie, including the Eerie Horror Fest.

A $5,000 grant from Erie Arts and Culture from the McCain Next Steps Grant will support the rebranding and strategic planning of Film Erie. Film Erie will also be providing an updated economic report and feasibility study for the newly formed organization.

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Current projects from Film Erie

While focusing on building out its database, Film Erie also is assisting some independent filmmakers on projects and have corresponded with other filmmakers interested in filming in Erie.

However, major fall projects are in the works for Film Erie, including working on a familiar festival while also resurrecting a film series.

Part of the grant money from Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority will support the Eerie Horror Fest set for Oct. 10-11 at the Warner Theatre. According to the tax-exempt form 990 for 2023, the Film Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania spent $100,437 on Horror Fest in 2022, the same year that they transitioned to the Warner Theatre and brought in cast members from “Children of the Corn.”

“It’s an amazing team of people and this is the 18th year of the festival,” Taylor said. “It’s always been an amazing team. Even for a genre film festival; they’ve brought in (film industry people) from all over the world and visiting guests. These are all opportunities that we can connect our local film community with.”

Another portion of the grant money will go toward bringing back the FILM 10|20 series, a program that the Film Society held in the past.

The last time this series took place was in 2023 when the Film Society of NWPA hosted events and screenings such as Movie Magic at Kellar’s Magic and Comedy Club and when the Film Grain Series took place at the Bourbon Barrel in 2019.

When Film Erie completed the rebrand, they pulled out the projector and screen that was housed at the former Bourbon Barrell, 1213 State St., and created a partnership with 1020 Collective, 1020 Holland St., curating a 12-week series.

The FILM 10|20 series, according to Film Erie’s website, “features a collection of films both new and old that reflect humanity’s enduring tension between empathy and cruelty, unity and division.”

Viewers will find a mix of short films, locally made films, classic films, documentaries and more.

The 10|20 series is centered around independent cinema and is also a gathering place where film fans and creators can collaborate.

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“By getting the screen installed at 10|20, we will have a venue that will house events but also (is) accessible for local filmmakers to have a place where they are able screen their own work and have premiers…,” Taylor said.

More information, along with a schedule of films for the series, is listed at filmerie.org/film1020.

Where can I learn more about Film Erie?

If you are a filmmaker in Erie or looking for help on your film project, or to learn more about the nonprofit, visit filmerie.org.

Contact Nicholas Sorensen at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Film Erie aims to lay groundwork for local film industry