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GOEO Board Meeting Public Notice
Notice Posted On
January 06, 2026 03:42 PM
Notice Last Edited On
January 06, 2026 03:42 PM
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Date Added
2026/01/08 11:07 AM
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(Transcript begins at approximately 32 minutes into the audio recording of the meeting)
SPK_10:00
With that, we're going to go, we're going to go ahead and move on.
SPK_10:02
We have an IAA grant to discuss today in our board meeting and we're going to go ahead and have Kelly give us an introduction on this one.
SPK_10:11
Actually, Lance.
SPK_10:12
Sorry, Lance, you're going to give the introduction.
SPK_20:14
Thank you, Mr.
SPK_20:15
Chair.
SPK_20:15
Board members, we have just introduced it's Nuovo and we have Scott Anderson in the room just to introduce him and welcome him to, to the meeting.
SPK_20:25
A little bit of background on this.
SPK_20:27
Utah as is at an important crossroads in our creative economy.
SPK_20:31
With the Sundance Film Festival departing, the governor and state leadership work to identify a meaningful solution that keeps Utah relevant in the film space.
SPK_20:39
The reality is that the festival landscape nationwide is shifting.
SPK_20:43
Traditional festivals are not generating the same impact they once did.
SPK_20:46
Instead of trying to recreate an aging model, Nuovo has presented a forward thinking approach that builds on Utah's legacy while embracing where the industry is going.
SPK_20:55
Their proposal positions Utah as the center of next generation storytelling through AI Enabled Filmmaking Labs, the nation's first AI supported soundstage.
SPK_21:05
Partnerships with our universities and investment pipelines that bring filmmakers, financiers and technologists together.
SPK_21:11
By supporting Nuovo through the IAA fund, we give Utah's film ecosystem tools that no other state is offering.
SPK_21:18
Ensuring that we not only stay on the map, but lead in the emerging world of AI driven film and content creation with a concentration on supporting Utah's local filmmaking ecosystem.
SPK_21:28
GOIO recommends the board's consideration of this proposal and we look forward to discussing it further.
SPK_21:32
And Mr.
SPK_21:32
Chair, Kelly does have a proposed motion if you'd like her to read that now or later.
SPK_11:40
Let's put the proposed motion up and then we'll give some time to Mr. Scott Anderson.
SPK_11:49
Can you, can you read this motion even though we're not going to take a vote on it right now?
SPK_11:54
Kelly?
SPK_31:55
Yes.
SPK_31:55
The Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity Forward recommends Nuvo Films Festival incorporated NFFI for an industrial assistance account one time grant of $2 million to operationalize key film ecosystem objectives through the establishment of specialized programming workforce and infrastructure.
SPK_22:16
Sorry.
SPK_12:17
Thank you, Kelly, for that.
SPK_22:18
To understand what we were looking at before we started the presentation.
SPK_12:23
I appreciate that and that's the right way to look at it, Lance.
SPK_12:26
So thank you.
SPK_12:27
So we'll go ahead and give a few minutes to Mr. Scott Anderson who has been engaged in this particular project.
SPK_12:33
And Scott, if you could give us your insight, that would be great.
SPK_12:37
Great.
SPK_42:37
Thank you.
SPK_42:38
Mr.
SPK_42:39
Chair and members of the board.
SPK_42:40
I appreciate this opportunity to be with you today.
SPK_42:43
As was said in the introduction, the governor cast a group of us after Sundance announced they were moving their film festival from Salt Lake City to Boulder to come up with a replacement film festival.
SPK_42:55
And that's when we came out with the new Film Festival Inc.
SPK_42:59
But as we got into this, we came back to the Governor and the speaker and the President of the Senate and Jefferson Moss and said instead of creating a replacement film festival, we would recommend establishing an ecosystem in in Utah.
SPK_43:15
That will put Utah on the map as the place for filmmaking, film financing, film technology and film streaming and screening.
SPK_43:26
And that with this ecosystem, it could bring a significant amount of business to Utah from studios and filmmakers to come and set up operations in Utah to make their films in Utah, as well as empowering local filmmakers to to benefit directly from the ecosystem success.
SPK_43:46
And so the proposal is built on five pillars.
SPK_43:50
The first is to create and establish a filmmaking lab to be held in Utah to teach new filmmakers how to tell their story using technology and AI.
SPK_44:02
The second is to enhance the state's incentive programs to bring filmmakers to Utah that would be more competitive with those incentives offered in Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, New Mexico and New York.
SPK_44:17
And that would encourage them not only to come to Utah, but to set up operations in Utah.
SPK_44:23
And that would also encourage local filmmakers to make their films in Utah.
SPK_44:28
The third pillar would be to create an AI soundstage with its dedicated database and film and power source.
SPK_44:38
And at Convergence hall, at the point where filmmakers could come and use this new technology, we are told that if this were built, this would be the first of its kind in the United States.
SPK_44:51
And the advantage of this is that if you were to make an Avenger film now, it would cost about 140 to 200 million dollars to take three years to make.
SPK_45:01
If you were to use an AI enabled soundstage to do it, you could do it in nine months at a cost of $10 million.
SPK_45:09
So it would democratize filmmaking and give the power back to the filmmakers rather than to the studios.
SPK_45:17
The next pillar would be to engage Harbor Fund to move its operations to Utah.
SPK_45:24
Harbor Fund is an international film funding organization that brings together filmmakers, venture capitalists and philanthropists to decide which films to finance.
SPK_45:38
And the last is to work with Yushi in establishing certificate programs at rural high schools as well as tech colleges and our universities in educating the filmmaking crafts like makeup, scenery, design, sound, stage and editing so that Utah would have the dedicated and trained workforce to allow filmmakers to come here and use the local workforce instead of bringing them here.
SPK_46:14
So we are requesting $2 million in seed funding to set this up.
SPK_46:20
The long term funding would be provided by individuals, foundations and corporations.
SPK_46:28
The board is made up of Mark Burnett, who invented the reality TV and ran MGM Studios and sold it for 45 million to Amazon two years ago.
SPK_46:43
Gordon Bowen, who chairs McGarry Bowen Dentsu Advertising, one of the largest advertising agencies in the world.
SPK_46:52
Geraldine Bryfuss, a filmmaker and founder of Impact Funding for documentary films.
SPK_46:59
Jim Schwartz, the founder of Excel Venture Capital, Myself, Michael Mann of the seg.
SPK_47:05
And we've asked Jefferson Moss to appoint a member to this board.
SPK_47:11
We would also establish an MOU with the film commission so that we are sure that we're working together and as we build this out for Utah success.
SPK_47:23
So that is a short presentation and I'd be happy to answer questions.
SPK_17:28
Thank you, Mr. Anderson, we appreciate that.
SPK_17:30
And for those other members of the board who haven't been engaged in this with the incentive committee over the last several days, there's been pretty robust dialogue and conversation about this.
SPK_17:42
Wanted to make sure that this is actually going to put Utah where it needs to be within the film space.
SPK_17:48
In addition, the funds were previously allocated to Sundance, but with Sundance leaving has come back, which is allowing us to still keep within the film vertical, but look at where the future of this industry is going.
SPK_18:03
So thank you, Mr. Anderson, for your presentation.
SPK_18:05
What questions do we have from board members?
SPK_18:11
Just, just a quick question, Scott.
SPK_18:12
I heard you outlined in Members of the Board.
SPK_18:18
Can you talk a little bit more about the governance structure going forward?
SPK_18:22
You know, how.
SPK_18:23
Who governs the board and sort of what's the process just around new.
SPK_18:29
New members over time?
SPK_48:32
Yeah, the, the nonprofit organization that has been set up with, with the members that I have noted would be there to establish this ecosystem, working with other state resources with Yushi and our universities.
SPK_48:49
And so it would work to establish these filmmaking labs that would then be spun off and be a separate organization.
SPK_48:58
It would work with the legislature and the film commission in coming up with more enhanced incentive programs.
SPK_49:08
It would work with the Convergence hall and Nucleus Group to build a sound stage.
SPK_49:14
And with the legislature and private donors doing that, it would then negotiate with Harbor Fund to move their operations to Utah permanently and then work with USI in developing these certificate programs.
SPK_49:31
And then after that, the, the nonprofit would shift its focus to be a fundraiser and gather funds that would provide the long term support for these entities.
SPK_19:47
Thank you.
SPK_19:50
Thank you, Jeremy.
SPK_19:51
Any other questions for Mr. Anderson?
SPK_19:58
Kelly, if we could put that motion back up, please?
SPK_310:02
Yes.
SPK_110:16
Perfect.
SPK_110:16
Would you mind reading it one more time?
SPK_110:18
Kelly.
SPK_310:19
The Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity Board recommends Novo Film Festival Incorporated, NFFI for an industrial assistance account.
SPK_310:28
One time grant of $2 million to operationalize key field ecosystem objectives through the establishment of specialized programming workforce and infrastructure.
SPK_110:39
Thank you, Kelly.
SPK_110:40
Who would like to make the motion?
SPK_210:44
I will.
SPK_210:44
This is Judd.
SPK_110:47
Thank you, Judd.
SPK_110:48
Who would like to second?
SPK_110:50
I'll second.
SPK_110:52
Thank you.
SPK_110:53
Jeremy.
SPK_110:54
Can we take a roll call, please?
SPK_310:55
Of course.
SPK_310:56
Clint?
SPK_210:57
Yes.
SPK_310:58
Brigham?
SPK_210:59
Yes.
SPK_311:01
Jeremy?
SPK_411:02
Yes.
SPK_311:03
Judd?
SPK_211:04
Yes.
SPK_311:05
Vic?
SPK_511:06
Yes.
SPK_311:08
Mr.
SPK_311:08
Chair.
SPK_111:10
Yes.
SPK_111:11
Congratulations, Mr. Anderson.
SPK_111:14
Motion passes.
SPK_111:15
Make us proud.
SPK_111:17
Let's give him a round of applause.
SPK_111:23
We're excited to see what you'll be able to build with those amazing other board members.
SPK_111:27
And we look forward to being supportive and helping you connect with the right people to make this happen for the state of Utah.
SPK_111:34
So thank you for your leadership on this.
SPK_111:35
And we'll.
SPK_111:37
We'll watch with excitement.
SPK_411:40
Thank you.