Jacksonville Film Industry Reception Celebrates Local Film and Media Leaders



Mayor Lenny Curry presenting the 2015 Film & TV Industry Achievement Award to Donna Orender.

Mayor Lenny Curry joined members of the Jacksonville City Council, the Mayor’s Advisory Board on Motion Pictures, Television and Commercial Production, the Jacksonville Film & Television Office and other industry leaders to celebrate highlights in local film and digital media production at the 15^th Annual Jacksonville Film Industry Reception on Sept. 24, 2015.

 

During the event, Donna Orender, CEO of Orender Unlimited, was presented with the 2015 Jacksonville Film and Television Industry Achievement Award; and producer and director Patrick Barry and editor Billy Gaggins were each honored with a 2015 Rising Star Award.

 

Orender was recognized for her accomplishments as a leader in the sports industry. In 2006, she was the first woman honored by the UJA-Federation of New York’s Entertainment, Media and Communications Division for her community involvement. In 2007, Orender was named to BusinessWeek’s Power 100 Sports issue, In 2005, as well as Fox Sports.com’s 10 Most Powerful Women in Sports list. She served as the President of the WNBA for 6 years. Previously she spent 17 years at the PGA TOUR, where she led global production, programming, digital and brand in the Office of the Commissioner.

 

“Working in film and television is very much a team sport,” said Orender. “This recognition is very much about honoring a team of great and talented people who set a high bar for programming and creativity in the sports industry.”

 



Mayor Lenny Curry presenting the 2015 Rising Star Award to Patrick Barry.

 

Mayor Lenny Curry presenting the 2015 Rising Star Award to Billy Gaggins.
 

Barry and Gaggins each received a 2015 Rising Star Award, which is awarded to remarkable individuals under age 35 in the local film and television industry.

 

Barry wrote and directed HABERDASH, a 16mm short film which was picked up for distribution by Movieola (Canada’s short-film channel).  He directed VEER which was selected as one of seven films from the U.S. to premiere at the Gen Art Film Festival for Emerging Talent in New York City; VEER premiered at the 2012 Jacksonville Film Festival, toured across the U.S. and won Best Florida Film at the Sunscreen Film festival.

 

Gaggins got his start in local news and quickly moved up the ranks at a local production company, TigerLily Media.  He’s edited countless broadcast TV commercials, short format promotional videos, Showtime documentary titled ‘THESPIANS’.   

Film & Television staff member Joey Bergman greeting TRAINWRECK star Evan Brinkman at this year’s Industry Award Event.

 

The Jacksonville Film & Television Office works with local film, digital media and related businesses to enhance job creation and economic development.  In the last 10 years, the office assisted more than 1,090 productions, generating an economic impact of $35 million and creating 10,350 local jobs.