Virginia Pearce has been named Film Commissioner for the State of Utah.
With more than fifteen years of film experience at Sundance Institute and Spy Hop, Pearce will be responsible for setting the state’s agenda and building the state’s reputation as a film-making destination.
The Utah Film Commission is part of the Utah Office of Tourism, Film and Global Branding in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Vicki Varela, managing director of the office, said Pearce is the perfect fit for the role.
“Virginia Pearce is the ideal candidate to take film in Utah to the next level," Varela said, “She has all the ingredients — passion about film, relationships with key players in the industry, and communications/marketing skills to position our state for success. We are thrilled to welcome Virginia to the Tourism, Film and Global Branding team."
When she assumes her role on Oct. 27, Pearce will lead the Utah Film Commission to develop national and state partnerships to increase production of film, television and commercials in Utah, which has become a mecca for independent filmmakers, thanks largely to the Sundance Film Festival launched here in 1985. Sundance is widely respected as one of the most preeminent film festivals in the world.
“My experience at both Spy Hop and Sundance Institute has given me the opportunity to work with emerging and established filmmakers, “ said Pearce. “Utah has a vibrant film culture, one that is growing and evolving rapidly, and I am excited to represent our state to the local and global film community.”
Pearce is currently the Director of Marketing & Community Programs at Spy Hop, a Salt Lake based program that mentors young people working in digital media arts, where she directed all external relations and community programming.
Previously, Pearce served as Associate Director, Artist Relations and Community Programs, at Sundance Institute. In her 12 years there, she was responsible for cultivating relationships with the Institute’s film, music and theatre artists and strengthening partnerships with film schools and other educational bodies. While there she also launched the Sundance Institute Alumni program, overseeing communications with the filmmakers from the Festival, as well as screenwriters, producers, directors and editors from the artist development labs.
Pearce got her start as a commercial photographer and worked in Seattle, Maine, Boston and Paris.
