Film Florida

Film Florida Elects 2026 – 2027 Officers; Matt Wohl Elected President Of Organization

Filmmaker and Educator Matt Wohl has been elected President of Film Florida. It was announced at the Film Florida Annual Meeting, along with the entire Film Florida Board of Directors for 2026-2027. The 2026-2027 Film Florida Board of Directors (and alternate Board members) reside in fourteen different counties in Florida stretching from Escambia County (Pensacola) to Monroe County (Key West).

“It’s an honor to serve as President of Film Florida. Our Immediate Past President Sandy Lighterman provided tremendous leadership during her term as President, and I look forward to building on that success,” said Matt Wohl, President of Film Florida. “I’m excited about my new role and look forward to collaborating with industry professionals and our educational partners as we pursue new opportunities to strengthen Florida’s screen production industry. With a rich history in film and television production, this industry continues to be a vital part of Florida’s economic growth and diversification, and we’re committed to competing for high-wage jobs in this sector.”

Matt Wohl is a filmmaker and educator, where he currently teaches at Full Sail University. He previously served as chair of the Film and Television programs at Miami-Dade College where he oversaw a department of nearly 2,000 students studying film, television, sound recording and graphic design, and collaborated with The Miami Film Commission, HBO, Viacom, Univision and others. In addition to teaching at Miami Dade College, Matt has taught for Broward College and the Urban Film Festival. He was the coordinator for the college film competition, Sleepless in Lake Placid, held annually in Lake Placid, NY. Matt has had multiple scripts optioned and continues to have projects in development. His Spalding MFA thesis script “Funny Man” won Best Comedy at the “Table Read My Screenplay” at the Sundance Film Festival. Prior to coming to Florida, Matt was a full-time faculty member and Chair of the Film Department at Burlington College. There he taught screenwriting, film business, and production courses at the undergraduate and graduate level.

2026 – 2027 Executive Board Officers:
President – Matt Wohl, Traveling Dog Films (Industry & Association Council Council)
1st Vice President – Tyler Martinolich, Film Tampa Bay (Film Commission Council)
2nd Vice President – Anne Russell, Full Sail University (Education Council)
Secretary – Michael Viera, SAG-AFTRA (Labor Council)
Treasurer – Christy Andreoni, Film Lauderdale (Film Commission Council)
Immediate Past President – Sandy Lighterman, Film Lauderdale (Film Commission Council)

Additional Board Members:
Film Commission Council: Chair- Brooke Hill, Orlando Film Commission; Vice Chair- Chad Newman, Florida Keys & Key West Film Commission; Secretary- Gail Morgan, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Film Commission; Alternates- Alberto Jordat Jr. (AJ), Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission; Mat Ratner, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; Meagan Happel, Florida’s Space Coast Film Commission.

Industry & Association Council: Chair- Jennelle Jordan, Women in Film & Television Florida; Vice Chair- Sabine Krausch, Talent Direct Agency; Secretary- Dana Pellerin, Universal Studios Florida Production Group; Alternates- Chris Odom, FireFly Media Group; Alexa Sheehan, HarborDashery Productions, LLC; and Eddy Moon, White Elephant Group.

Education Council: Chair- Dr. Devin Marsh, After School Film Institute (ASFI); Vice Chair- Josh Ellis, Miami-Dade College; Secretary- Stephen McDowell, Florida State University College of Communication & Information; Alternates- Saliha Nelson, Urgent, Inc.; Moe Fowler, Valencia College; and Patrick Alexander, Ringling College of Art and Design.

Leah Sokolowsky, Teamsters Local 769 and Marche Cooper, IATSE Local 600 the Labor Council.

About Film Florida: Film Florida is a state-wide non-profit entertainment production organization that serves a leadership role in Florida’s screen production industry by representing all aspects of the business including film commissions, industry, labor, associations, and education. Our intention is to unite, inspire and innovate to build a more robust and retentive industry in Florida. The growing membership driven organization provides a network, a platform, and the benefits of playing an active part in solidifying Florida’s position as a major entertainment production destination, positive economic development driver and tourism generator. For more information about Film Florida visit FilmFlorida.org.

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Contact:
Matt Wohl, President, [email protected], 802-735-3286
John Lux, Executive Director, [email protected], 407-494-6195