Commission refers filmmaker’s $7,500 permit-fee subsidy request to ad hoc committee

Chair Jamela Mararyian opened discussion of a follow-up request from the filmmaker of the short film Nelly asking the commission to consider subsidizing city film-permit costs. Staff told commissioners the filmmaker had submitted a final edit for review and was available by phone to answer questions. Staff said the permit costs incurred were roughly $7,500 and that the commission had received materials in advance for consideration.

Vice Chair Arum and other commissioners said the commission needed a transparent set of criteria for requests of this type and suggested the item be handled by an ad hoc committee rather than decided as a one-off. The filmmaker joined by phone, thanked the commission and offered to provide any additional documentation the committee requested.

A motion to refer the request to the outreach and education ad hoc committee was moved and seconded and carried on a roll-call vote reported as three yes votes with one commissioner absent. No dollar subsidy was approved at the meeting; the referral asks the ad hoc committee to review the film and recommend whether, and in what amount, a subsidy is appropriate.

The commission took no final funding action and recorded that commissioners would await the ad hoc committee’s report before any subsidy is approved.