AFS Announces Martin C. Jones as New Director of Austin Studios
(photo by Serra Hadsell)
MEDIA CONTACT
Brady Dyer, Communications Manager
brady@austinfilm.org
December 4, 2019
AFS Announces Veteran Film/Television Executive Martin C. Jones Appointed Director of Austin Studios
(AUSTIN, TX)—The Austin Film Society (AFS) announces the appointment of Martin C. Jones as the new Director of Austin Studios. Jones, a film and television industry veteran with extensive experience in community media and nonprofits, will take the reins on December 10, 2019.
Jones will oversee Austin Studios, the 20-acre production facility operated by AFS and leased from the City of Austin. The recently expanded facility includes the new 38,500 square-foot Creative Media Center which is now at the core and shell stage and ready to welcome tenants.
Through the strategic operation of Austin Studios, AFS works to make Austin, Texas a center for film and media production, fostering the growth of the city’s creative economy. Since 2000, Austin Studios has drawn more than 625 productions to the region, generating more than 8,000 jobs with a $2.1 billion economic impact. In addition to large and small-scale film and television productions who use the campus on a short-term basis, Austin Studios is also home to 18 film and film-related companies, including Richard Linklater’s Detour Filmproduction, Chapman Leonard Studio Equipment Inc., Rooster Teeth, MPS Camera & Lighting, the casting agencies of Beth Sepko and Vicky Boone, and others. Due to the number of co-located filmmakers and businesses, Austin Studios is a crossroads for the local industry, fostering collaboration and community.
“Marty’s deep experience and wide knowledge across film culture and industry makes him a stellar addition to the AFS team. He knows filmmaking from the ground level to the executive suite and has successfully helped communities develop film initiatives,” says AFS CEO Rebecca Campbell. “He is uniquely positioned to help drive AFS to success in its mission to create life-changing opportunities for filmmakers and catalyze Austin and Texas as creative hubs.”
Before joining AFS, Jones was CEO for MetroEast Community Media in Portland, Oregon. His combined strengths in nonprofit leadership, brand revitalization, and television production led to the transformation of this nonprofit television network from a little-known entity into an industry leading community media brand. Under his direction, MetroEast projects were nominated for three Emmy Awards® and an Honorable Mention at the White House Student Film Festival during South By South Lawn in 2016. Prior to this, he served as General Manager for Tim and Daphne Reid’s New Millennium Studios in Virginia.
An accomplished creative executive, producer, and director, he has specialized in producing and acquiring content for theatrical release, broadcast, and streaming. His work as a producer extends to feature films (Asunder, For Real, Nothin’ 2 Lose), TV specials, sitcoms, and national TV spots for global brands such as Jeep, Chrysler, Chevrolet, TBS networks/Tyler Perry Studios, and Grolsch Beer.
“It is my great honor to join one of the most internationally renowned film and media organizations in the world. Joining such an unrivaled creative community in Austin will be a tremendous thrill,” says Jones. “The ecosystem that AFS is creating is unique and poised to have a major impact on our nation’s most treasured export to the world—filmed entertainment. I’m honored to be entrusted with exploring new possibilities for Austin Studios and our new Creative Media Center.”
About the Austin Film Society
Founded in 1985 by filmmaker Richard Linklater, AFS creates life-changing opportunities for filmmakers, catalyzes Austin and Texas as a creative hub, and brings the community together around great film. AFS supports filmmakers towards career leaps, encouraging exceptional artistic projects with grants and support services. AFS operates Austin Studios, a 20-acre production facility, to attract and grow the creative media ecosystem. Austin Public, a space for our city’s diverse mediamakers to train and collaborate, provides many points of access to filmmaking and film careers. The AFS Cinema is an ambitiously programmed repertory and first run arthouse with broad community engagement. By hosting premieres, local and international industry events, and the Texas Film Awards, AFS shines the national spotlight on Texas filmmakers while connecting Austin and Texas to the wider film community. AFS is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
# # #
