BROWARD COUNTY, FL - There's no doubt that the Film and Television industry is a lucrative business and Broward is ready for its close up!  Plans to build the largest sound stage complex in Florida (other than 1 which is used privately by a Spanish language media company) will be announced at the Broward County Film Summit on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 10AM in the Commission Chambers, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Room 422 in Fort Lauderdale.  (Please see attached.)

Featured speakers include Broward Film Commissioner Sandy Lighterman, Fort Lauderdale Studio Initiative Director/Producer DJ Viola, Broward Office of Economic and Small Business Development Director Sandy Michael McDonald and Broward County Commissioner Steve Geller. 

The latest announcement:  The Fort Lauderdale Studio Initiative is building a 350,000-square-foot sound stage complex.  When completed the sound stage complex will be the largest one available for use in Florida, with state-of-the-art technology to further attract the multitude of companies creating movies and television series. The Complex will include 10 soundstages, post-production offices, other offices, and a commissary.  The $150 million studio will be located on 61 acres north of Sunrise Boulevard and east of Northwest 31st Avenue, on what's known as the Wingate property. 

 Commissioner Geller won approval for the creation of a Film Commission in November of last year.  The next step was to create financial film incentives to bring productions to Broward, which Geller also passed.  In January, Broward hired Film Commissioner Sandy Lighterman. She is a four-decade film and TV industry professional, capable of further creating a thriving film and television industry in Broward County.

"The film and television industry once thrived in Broward County, before the State Legislature dropped incentives.  My goal is to bring that industry back. It can be an economic gold mine, creating high paying jobs, increased business for local hotels, restaurants, and retailers.  With the hiring of an experienced Film Commissioner, economic incentives, and soon the largest sound studio available to rent in Florida, we're ready to go.  We're very fortunate to have Sandy Lighterman as our Film Commissioner. This will have a very positive impact on our local economy," said Commissioner Geller.

Well-known movies and television series filmed in Broward County include Mortdecai, Rock of Ages, Caddy Shack, Cape Fear, Striptease, The Glades television series, Graceland television series, Waves, Three Months, and Beach Bum. 

Presentations will be followed by a Q&A from the audience.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  

August 9, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Kimberly Maroe 
Public Information Manager
Broward County Commission
(954) 357-8053