The Monterey County Film Commission board of directors recognized Monterey County Film Commissioner Karen Seppa Nordstrand with a Hollywood “Walk of Fame Star” replica plaque in 2020 in honor of her 30th anniversary of working for the nonprofit organization, the offices of which are located in New Monterey's Lighthouse District.
Nordstrand was hired in 1990 by the MCFC's original executive director, Julie Armstrong. Since the film commission was created in 1987 by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, more than $118 million has come into local communities from on-location film production spend.
Over the past three decades, Nordstrand has created marketing campaigns which resulted in more than 20 awards from the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI), and she obtained the top professional designation of AFCI Certified Film Commissioner.
She promotes county-wide locations for filming and assists productions with local location ideas, resources, and crew. Productions range from feature films, international BBC documentaries, car commercials, music videos, to the recent TV series “Ratched” and “Big Little Lies.”
“I’ve found it so satisfying to be of help to filmmakers trying to accomplish their creative productions, and seeing the positive economic impact that they make in Monterey County,” Nordstrand said.
The Monterey County Film Commission is a nonprofit organization with a mission of inspiring and facilitating film and media production throughout Monterey County, creating positive economic impact. It is funded in part by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, which established the film commission in 1987.
