May 28, 2008 – On Friday, June 6, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting will present “Careers in Entertainment Production: Paths to Opportunity,” a panel discussion in partnership with the Staten Island Film Festival at the St. George Theatre. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn first hand about the experiences of industry professionals working in New York City’s entertainment production industry.

Commissioner Katherine Oliver will moderate the panel with a Q&A session and reception to follow. Panelists include:

Adam Brightman, Producer (NICK AND NORAH’S INFINITE PLAYLIST)

Sandra Hernandez, Costume Designer (A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS)

Joe Fontao, Location Manager (VIACOM NETWORKS) 

The Staten Island Film Festival runs from June 5-8 at venues throughout Staten Island as well as Brooklyn and Manhattan. This marks the first time the festival will venture outside the borough. Now in its third year, SINY Film Festival has introduced independent and international films to a broad and diverse audience in New York City. For more information about the festival, visit: http://www.sifilmfestival.org/.

“Our local entertainment industry employs 100,000 New Yorkers and contributes $5 billion to our economy on an annual basis, and as we attract new production business to the City and create new jobs through the ‘Made in NY’ incentive program, we are working to ensure that a diverse group of New Yorkers have access to these positions, through programs such as this panel, said Katherine Oliver, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting.

Doors open at 2:30pm; the panel will begin at 3pm. Seating for the panel is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. The panel will take place at the St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt Street, Staten Island, NY.

RSVP by sending an email to rsvp@film.nyc.gov by Thursday, June 5. Panelists are subject to change.