The Association of Film Commissioners International has announced that Buffalo/Niagara Film Commissioner Tim Clark has been elected to the organization’s Board of Directors. Clark is one of seven Film Commissioners from around the world elected to serve a two year term on the eleven member AFCI Board.

Buffalo/Niagara Film Commissioner Tim Clark

“Our organization is privileged to have dedicated members like Tim Clark within AFCI that have chosen to share their time, resources and knowledge to help guide the strategic direction of the AFCI,” said Kevin Jennings, AFCI Chairman. “Tim Clark will be an excellent addition to the Board of Directors and a valued representative from the western New York region.”

“I am honored to have been elected to the AFCI Board of Directors by my peers and will strive to use this designation to continue to attract Producers, Directors and film makers to Erie and Niagara County and all of western New York,” said Tim Clark. “It is so exciting to have a seat at the table with Film Commissioners from around the globe and to be able to promote the wonderful resources, locations and financial incentives that the region offers through the Buffalo/Niagara Film Office.”

The newly elected Commissioners include:

• Tim Clark, Film Commissioner, Buffalo Niagara Film Commission (US)
• Jess Conoplia, Senior Vice President – US Production & Events, British Film Commission (UK)
• Sigmund Elias Holm, Film Commissioner, Western Norway Film Commission (NO)
• Nick Maniatis, Director, New Mexico State Film Office (US)
• Heather Page, Director, Texas Film Commission (US)
• Virginia Pearce, Director, Utah Film Commission (US)
• Dr. Marijana Stoisits, CEO, Vienna Film Commission (AT)

The newly elected Board of Director members will each serve two-year terms beginning, January 1, 2017. They join current board members with one year remaining in their respective terms: Jeanne Corcoran, Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office (US); Pamela Haynes, West Virginia Film Office (US); Kevin Jennings, Film Otago Southland (NZ); and Karen Carberry-Warhola, Maine Film Office (US).

Tim Clark achieved the title of a certified Film Commissioner through the AFCI University membership organization professional development program. The program consists of Master Classes and exams designating that the recipient has achieved the highest level in the profession.

The AFCI is the leading resource on the planet for location shooting and members represent the best of the best in trained and knowledgeable film commission professionals around the world.  For more info on the Association of Film Commissioners go to AFCI.org.

The 12th annual Town of Niagara Electric Lights Parade will be held this Saturday, November 5th on Military Road beginning at 6:30 PM. The parade begins at 4th avenue and continues down Military Road to the K-mart parking lot.

One of the major attractions is the arrival of Santa Claus who fittingly ends the parade and signifies the arrival of the holiday season in the Town of Niagara. Last year’s ELECTRIC LIGHTS PARADE drew several thousand spectators, along with the hundreds who were part of the bands, floats and community groups which took part.

A Food Drive will also be part of this year’s NIAGARA ELECTRIC LIGHTS PARADE.  Volunteers will gather non-perishable food donations from parade spectators for local soup kitchens.  If participants wish, Parade organizers encourage donations the food to their Church Food Pantries and let them know it is on behalf of the Niagara Electric Lights Parade.

The major sponsor for the parade is Republic Services (Allied Waste Industries of Niagara Falls, NY).  Allied Waste owns and operates the Niagara Falls Sanitary Landfill, located at the intersection of 56^th Street and Niagara Falls Boulevard.

Bob Koshinski and Town of Niagara Supervisor Lee Wallace will again serve as MC’s for the parade at the reviewing stand located just before the K-mart parking lot.

The ELECTRIC LIGHTS PARADE is organized and presented by the Town of Niagara and the Town of Niagara Business and Professional Association, Inc.