FilMiami Congratulates The 2009 Film Florida Legends!
(from left to right ) Mike McGowan Jr.; Michelle Marx; William Grefe and Errol Falcon
More than 250 film industry professionals along with Film Florida celebrated the Film Florida 2009 Legends Awards on June 23rd at the Colony Theatre in Miami Beach. Errol Falcon, William Grefe, Michelle Marx and Michael McGowan, Sr. (posthumous) were honored, and TigerLily Media's documentary film Thespians was named as first recipient of the organization's Don Davis Film Finishing Fund. The Legend award – launched in 2006 – honors Sunshine State pioneers in the film, television and production industry.
The 2009 Film Florida Legends Award recipients have made major contributions to the industry, including:
Errol Falcon, Producer-DGA Director, Falcon Productions. Errol has been behind the camera for more than three decades, notably as director of more than 50 music videos for artists including Gloria Estefan & The Miami Sound Machine; the first Larry King Show; Sabado Gigante and more than 500 commercials for clients including: Pepsi, Ford, Pizza Hut, JCPenney, Target, HBO, Kraft, Wesson, Burger King and the Florida Lottery. He has numerous credits for Telemundo and is the winner of Imagen, Clio, Emmy, Addy and Telly awards.
William Grefe, Producer-DGA Director, Film Artist Corp. William is a prolific and pioneering film producer/director, best known for building the low budget action/thriller exploitation genre' in the state. His film career spans five decades and over a dozen features, almost all of which were filmed in Florida. He has worked with actors such as Mickey Rooney, Rita Hayworth, William Shatner, and Richard Jaeckel. He also worked as second unit director of the speedboat chase and other action scenes in Live and Let Die starring Roger Moore.
Michelle Marx, DGA Production Manager. Michelle has worked in Florida's film and entertainment industry since the 1950's when she began her career as a model. She soon graduated to behind the camera, and became one of the first women DGA members in the country. Michelle has worked on hundreds of feature films, television shows and commercials as a production manager/UPM/ 1st AD. She has been an active member of the AICP Florida, Film Florida, and the FFEAC. Michelle's long list of credits includes: Caddyshack, Miami Vice, Jaws -The Revenge, Bad Boys, True Lies, BL Stryker, Flight of the Navigator, Three Blind Mice, Harry and Son, Wiseguys, Happy Gilmore and many others.
Michael McGowan Sr. (posthumous). Michael McGowan Sr. passed away in November 2008, and leaves behind a legacy of film work behind the camera as cinematographer and electrician. His credits include Lenny, Night Moves, Pretty Baby, Jaws 2, Caddyshack, Body Heat, The Last of the Mohicans, Blood and Wine, Rosewood, Snow Dogs, The Sopranos, Stuck on You and Miami Vice. He is a BAFTA award winner for Custer’s Last Stand Up.
Nominees for the Film Florida Legends Award were open to those who have made a significant impact on film in Florida – whether behind the scenes or in front of the camera.
Previous honorees include underwater film and television veteran Ricou Browning Sr. (The Creature from the Black Lagoon); Egon Stephan Sr. (posthumous) and Jordan Klein Sr., Ralph Clemente; The Fuller Brothers - Brad Fuller and Mike Fuller; and Last Stage Out of Town (Digger Wilson, Eddie Harvey and Danny Harvey).
Film Florida is a not-for-profit corporation that provides a leadership role in Florida's film and entertainment industries by representing a coalition of interests, including private industry, local film commissions, industry associations and labor organizations. Its purpose is to offer to businesses and individuals the benefits of a statewide trade association to promote the creation of jobs in the film and entertainment production industries and to promote economic development and tourism. For more information on Film Florida, please visit www.filmflorida.org.
