Under the general supervision of the Executive Director, the Film & Creative Industries Commissioner serves as the chief strategist and advocate for the Greater El Paso region’s film, media, music, and creative industries. This role leads the El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission, a Texas-certified Film Friendly Community, and is responsible for positioning El Paso as a competitive, production-ready destination for motion pictures, television (including series, specials, and movies), commercials, documentaries, still photography, music videos, and industrial, corporate, and military productions.
The Commissioner functions as both an industry-facing executive and a public-sector leader—attracting productions, building the local ecosystem, shaping policy, and aligning stakeholders across government, industry, and community. The position oversees a dedicated budget and staff and is expected to evolve as the region’s creative economy grows.
In addition to production attraction and services, the Commissioner is responsible for workforce development, industry relations, brand visibility, and the design and advocacy of incentive frameworks that align with state programs, regional capacity, and fiscal realities. The role also produces and leads an annual Film & Creative Industries Workshop featuring accomplished panelists from across film and related disciplines, serving as a flagship convening for education, industry credibility, and regional brand-building.
The Commissioner also serves as the executive lead for El Paso’s Music Friendly Community designation, overseeing the City’s partnership with the Texas Music Office and ensuring the continued growth, compliance, and visibility of the region’s music ecosystem.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Industry Attraction & Retention
- Lead regional strategy to attract and retain film, television, and media productions.
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with studios, independent producers, commercial production companies, networks, streaming platforms, and content creators.
- Serve as the primary point of contact from inquiry through wrap, ensuring a seamless, professional client experience.
- Represent El Paso at industry markets, conferences, festivals, and media events.
Production Services & Facilitation
- Maintain and expand a comprehensive regional location’s library; conduct and host professional location scouts.
- Research and recommend locations based on script needs, logistics, proximity, infrastructure, and availability of crew, equipment, and accommodations.
- Coordinate with city, county, and partner agencies to facilitate permits, access, and filming requirements.
- Troubleshoot production challenges in real time to protect schedules, budgets, and El Paso’s reputation.
Workforce & Ecosystem Development
- Lead initiatives that grow, professionalize, and prepare El Paso’s film and creative workforce to meet the expectations of regional, national, and international productions.
- Develop and implement strategies to strengthen the depth, experience, and reliability of the local crew base, ensuring El Paso is truly production ready.
- Identify gaps in local capacity and design programs, partnerships, and training opportunities that advance crew readiness, technical skill, and professional standards.
- Align workforce development efforts with the needs of the film and television industry, ensuring local talent can competitively support higher-volume and higher-budget productions.
- Serve as executive lead for El Paso’s Music Friendly Community designation, ensuring ongoing compliance, program development, and strategic alignment with the Texas Music Office.
- Develop and implement initiatives that strengthen the regional music ecosystem, including venues, musicians, educators, and related businesses.
- Create and maintain a comprehensive regional directory of film, music, and creative professionals, vendors, and resources.
- Create and oversee annual programs and events that strengthen local capacity, industry readiness, and cross-sector collaboration.
Signature Programs
- Design, produce, and lead an Annual Film & Creative Industries Workshop featuring accomplished panelists across film, television, digital media, and related disciplines.
- Position the workshop as a flagship convening for education, workforce development, and national visibility.
- Leverage the event to elevate El Paso’s industry credibility and strengthen local and external relationships.
- Oversee and grow the Local 24-Hour Film Challenge, engaging regional creatives, students, and emerging talent in a high-impact, fast-paced production experience that builds skills, collaboration, and community pride.
- Serve as participant market for the National 48-Hour Film Challenge, positioning El Paso on a national stage, coordinating local participation, and leveraging the program to attract attention from industry professionals, sponsors, and media.
- Ensure all signature programs advance workforce development, strengthen the local creative ecosystem, and reinforce El Paso’s brand as an accessible, production-ready, and creatively vibrant market.
Policy, Incentives & Stakeholder Leadership
- Serve as the primary convener for the local film and creative community, aligning diverse stakeholder interests with organizational goals and public-sector realities.
- Research, design, and advocate for a local production incentive program aligned with state policy, regional capacity, and fiscal constraints.
- Translate industry needs into viable policy and program frameworks.
- Manage high-visibility and sometimes competing stakeholder expectations, maintaining productive dialogue and safeguarding El Paso’s professional reputation.
- Provide clear guidance to local crew and creatives regarding industry standards, incentive structures, and market readiness.
Strategic Planning, Marketing & Performance
- Develop and implement annual marketing, communications, and outreach strategies.
- Maintain CRM systems for leads, clients, vendors, projects, and reporting.
- Oversee all department communications and social media channels.
- Prepare and manage the department budget, work plan, and staffing forecasts.
- Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual performance reports including inquiries, permits, shoot days, and production spend.
Government & Partner Relations
- Maintain productive relationships with city, county, state, and federal agencies.
- Serve as the primary liaison with the Texas Film Commission and Texas Music Office, maintaining El Paso’s standing as both a production-ready market and a Music Friendly Community.
- Represent El Paso with the American Film Commissioners International and peer markets.
- Develop governance frameworks, advisory boards, and industry councils as appropriate.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Extensive knowledge of motion picture production, industry practices, and production workflows.
- Demonstrated experience with industry relations, production services, and