Updated Oct. 9, 2026: Film Florida has since elected its 2026-2027 officers. Matt Wohl of Traveling Dog Films is president, and Sandy Lighterman of Film Lauderdale is immediate past president, according to Film Florida’s announcement. The report below covers the 2025-2026 election.
Broward County Film Commissioner Sandy Lighterman won another term as president of Film Florida in May 2025. The statewide entertainment production association announced her re-election alongside its 2025-2026 board of directors at its annual meeting.
Lighterman runs Film Lauderdale, Broward’s official film commission. She spent nearly 14 years as Miami-Dade County’s film commissioner after a 25-year career producing television commercials and independent projects. Her re-election kept South Florida leadership at the front of Florida's push to recruit television and movie productions.
Who sat on the 2025-2026 board
South Florida representatives secured key positions across the organization's regional councils. Chad Newman of the Florida Keys & Key West Film Commission served as vice chair of the Film Commission Council, while Michelle Hillery of the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission served as an alternate. On the education council, Josh Ellis of Miami-Dade College took the vice chair post, with Saliha Nelson of Urgent, Inc. as an alternate.
Labor representation on the 2025-2026 board included Leah Sokolowsky of Teamsters Local 769 and Michael Viera of SAG-AFTRA, who served as board secretary. Matt Wohl of Traveling Dog Films stepped in as first vice president.
Florida offers no statewide film tax incentive program, placing the burden of recruiting commercial shoots and feature films on regional commissions and industry advocates. Lighterman said the organization planned to focus on marketing local crews, filming locations, and production services to bring projects to the state.
"Our goal remains clear: to reinforce the message that Florida is open for business with skilled crews, diverse locations, and a strong network of support services for the industry," Lighterman said. "We're committed to competing for high-wage jobs in this sector."
Sources
- filmflorida.org: Film Florida elects 2025-2026 officers
- filmflorida.org: Film Florida elects 2026-2027 officers; Matt Wohl elected president
Related reading
Film Florida Heads to Hollywood for Networking Opportunity; Florida's Film Industry Strengthened by Training Initiative; Katy Perry's Lifetimes Tour Becomes Immersive Cinema; Florida film incentives guide.
Key Facts for Owners and Search
What did Film Florida announce about Sandy Lighterman in 2025?
Film Florida announced Sandy Lighterman's re-election as president, alongside its 2025-2026 board of directors, at its annual meeting. Lighterman runs Film Lauderdale, Broward's film commission, and previously served nearly 14 years as Miami-Dade County's film commissioner after a 25-year career producing commercials and independent projects.
Who else was on the 2025-2026 Film Florida board?
The 2025-2026 board included Matt Wohl of Traveling Dog Films as first vice president, Michael Viera of SAG-AFTRA as board secretary, and Leah Sokolowsky of Teamsters Local 769. South Florida representatives held council roles, including Chad Newman of the Florida Keys and Key West Film Commission and Michelle Hillery of Palm Beach County.
Who leads Film Florida now?
For 2026-2027, Film Florida's announcement lists Matt Wohl as president, Tyler Martinolich of Film Tampa Bay as first vice president, Anne Russell of Full Sail University as second vice president, Michael Viera as secretary, Christy Andreoni of Film Lauderdale as treasurer and Sandy Lighterman as immediate past president.
What is Film Florida's focus?
Film Florida planned to market local crews, filming locations and production services to bring projects to the state. Florida offers no statewide film tax incentive program, so recruiting commercial shoots and features falls to regional commissions and industry advocates, which keeps county programs like Broward's central for producers.
Where can producers see current South Florida incentives?
The Florida film incentives guide covers Broward's Film Lauderdale rebates, the state sales-tax exemption and the Emerging Filmmakers Grant. Confirm current terms with Film Lauderdale at 954-357-8788 or film@filmlauderdale.org before budgeting a shoot, since caps and application windows can change and rebates are paid after qualifying work.
