Colorado Governor Jared Polis today announced the appointment of Lauren Grimshaw Sloan as the new Colorado Film Commissioner. The news comes on the eve of Park City’s final relaunch as host of the Sundance Film Festival (January 22-February 1) before relocating from Utah to Boulder, Colorado next year.
“Lauren Grimshaw Sloan is a veteran of the film industry,” Governor Polis said in a statement. “Her film, television and festival experience and strong leadership qualities make her the perfect fit to be Colorado’s next film commissioner. Her unique combination of creative and business know-how will help distinguish Colorado as a premier destination for visual storytelling and creative work.”
Sloan recently held a senior leadership role at SeriesFest, a Denver-based festival dedicated to independent episodic storytelling and developing new television talent. There, she oversaw professional development initiatives for emerging writers, filmmakers, and executives, including the Women Director Mentorship Program in partnership with Shondaland and programmed festival pilots and shorts. She also worked as the festival’s producer, overseeing all festival departments, contractors, budget, and operations.
From 2012 to 2016, Mr. Sloan served as Colorado’s Deputy Film Commissioner, helping bring films such as Fast & Furious 7 starring Kevin Bacon and Cop Car to the Centennial State. She also worked as a producer and consultant on independent films and as a production executive at Red Crown Productions in New York, working on independent films such as What Maisie New starring Julianne Moore, The Romantics starring Katie Holmes, and Goats starring David Duchovny.
Colorado offers a 20% refundable tax credit for the design and production of feature films, television pilots and series, music videos, industrial films, documentaries, and video games, with a 2% tax credit available for projects produced in designated enterprise zones. While not particularly generous compared to the 40% tax credits offered in fellow Western states California and New Mexico, the impending arrival of Sundance creates an attractive opportunity.
“This is a pivotal moment for Colorado’s film, television and media industry, made possible by the hard work of industry experts and economic development leaders across the state,” said Sloan, whose first day on the job was Thursday, the opening day of Sundance. “We have an incredible opportunity to build lasting infrastructure, expand opportunities for our creators and staff, and strengthen Colorado’s position as a premier destination for storytelling.”
