Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Maribel Feliciano
Department: Economic and Small Business Development
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE Broward County’s co-sponsorship of the 2026 South Florida Film Forum currently scheduled for March 2026; approve a Sponsorship Agreement between Broward County and WEG Films, Inc., effectuating Broward County’s co-sponsorship of the event in the amount not to exceed $160,000; authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute same; and authorize the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Sponsorship Agreement that do not increase Broward County’s financial contribution, subject to review and approval for legal sufficiency by the County Attorney’s Office.
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Why Action is Necessary
In accordance with the Broward County Advertising and Marketing Program, Board approval is required for co-sponsorships with a value greater than $30,000.
What Action Accomplishes
Approves Broward County’s co-sponsorship of the 2026 South Florida Film Forum, authorizes the Mayor and Clerk to execute a Sponsorship Agreement related to the event, and authorizes the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Sponsorship Agreement that do not increase Broward County’s financial contribution.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (OESBD) RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Board’s goals of “prominently marketing Broward County as a brand, while increasing public understanding of programs and services” and “ensuring economic opportunities and a sustainable economy, with an emphasis on Broward’s lower and middle class.”
The South Florida Film Forum aims to empower, educate, and foster an inclusive and nurturing environment for creative minds from Broward County and South Florida, maximizing opportunities within the community to gain industry insights and offer exposure to key industry stakeholders. The inaugural year of the South Florida Film Forum in March 2025 was a resounding success, with over 800+ attendees engaged in dynamic panel discussions featuring major industry leaders from HBO/MAX, Warner Bros, Fox Entertainment Studios, MRC Film, Sony Pictures, Apple TV, and more.
In its second year, this event will continue to grow Broward County’s film, television, and new media industry in South Florida on a nationally recognized scale by way of:
1. Highlighting the artist impact of Broward County and South Florida filmmakers via interactive panels, workshops and/or masterclasses.
2. Providing networking platforms to connect with both regionally and nationally recognized industry stakeholders from major production hubs such as Los Angeles and New York.
3. Creating industry pipelines, artistic, networking and career opportunities for emerging and established film, television and new media industry professionals based in and hailing from Broward County communities.
4. Increasing access to film, television and new media industry projects and professionals for audiences and residents based in Broward County.
5. Exhibiting films made by or connected to Broward County.
6. Exhibiting innovative new media and immersive media projects connected to Broward County.
7. Exhibiting works by nationally and internationally renowned artists connected to Broward County.
WEG Films, Inc. is a collective of South Florida emerging artists, consisting of more than twenty award-winning films and digital media creators. With a track record of successful film industry events, workshops, and festivals (WEG Weekend, WEGx, WEG Fireside Chats, WEG Film Lab), WEG Films, Inc. will execute the film forum in collaboration with other notable South Florida organizations (such as Urban Film Festival, Mad Arts, and others).
The Sponsorship Agreement (attached as Exhibit 1) outlines various deliverables and commitments for Broward County, including primary logo placement on all marketing materials and event displays, ad placement, speaking engagements, on-site activation opportunities, naming rights for specific events/rooms/programs, and more. The Sponsorship Agreement is terminable only for cause, but the sponsorship fee is refundable to the County if the 2026 South Florida Film Forum does not occur by March 31, 2026.
Source of Additional Information
Maribel Feliciano, Director, Office of Economic and Small Business Development, 954-357-6761.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Event sponsorship in the amount of $160,000 is currently allocated within the Broward County Film Commission budget.