As Executive Director of the California Film Commission, Amy Lemisch oversees the state’s efforts to facilitate motion picture, television and commercial production. Her responsibilities include administering California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program and coordinating with all levels of government to create jobs, increase production spending, and generate tax revenues statewide. She also oversees a wide range of support services, and acts as the chief advocate for educating stakeholders (legislators, production industry decision makers and the public at large) about the value of filming in California.
Ms. Lemisch was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in May 2004, and re-appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. Now in her 13th year, she is the longest-serving executive director in the Film Commission’s history.
Under her leadership, California has maintained its competiveness as a production locale amid intense global competition. She helped shepherd passage and implementation of the state’s uniquely targeted first-generation tax credit program enacted in 2009, as well as the expanded Program 2.0 which launched in 2015. She is also credited with reducing red tape and launching a series of novel marketing initiatives including co-production of the annual Film in California Conference, publication of LOCATION CALIFORNIA magazine and administration of the Commission’s first program to expand education/training opportunities for aspiring entertainment professionals.
Prior to her work at the Film Commission, Ms. Lemisch served for more than 15 years as a producer for Penny Marshall’s company – Parkway Productions. While based at Universal Studios and Sony Pictures, she was responsible for overseeing physical production on all Parkway projects, as well as developing new projects. Her credits include: producer on the independent feature film With Friends Like These; co-producer on Riding in Cars With Boys (starring Drew Barrymore), The Preacher’s Wife (starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston) and Renaissance Man (starring Danny DeVito); and associate producer on Awakenings, A League of Their Own, and Calendar Girl. She was also associate producer on the television series A League of Their Own, which was adapted from the feature film.
Ms. Lemisch is a member of the Directors Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America.