Film commissioners group lands LMGI Trailblazer Award
Location Managers Guild International will honor the AFCI at its 2026 awards ceremony in Santa Monica on August 22.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
Location Managers Guild International has picked the Association of Film Commissioners International for its 2026 Trailblazer Award, setting up a Santa Monica spotlight for the global film commission network.
The honor will be presented during the LMGI Awards on August 22 at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica, according to the guild.
LMGI said the Trailblazer Award is given to people or organizations whose leadership has opened doors, encouraged new ideas and made a lasting mark on film and television.
Why AFCI is getting the nod
The guild said AFCI is being recognized for its work across the film commission field, including its role in building ties between commissions and the wider screen industry.
According to LMGI, AFCI has helped strengthen partnerships that allow film and television productions to work successfully in communities around the world.
The Association of Film Commissioners International was founded more than 50 years ago and is described as a leading worldwide network for film commissions. Its work includes education, advocacy, professional development and industry connections.
AFCI’s programs, events and resources include the Global Production Network Tool, which links producers, content creators, location managers, studios and other industry professionals with AFCI member film commissions around the world, according to LMGI.
Location pros salute film commission partners
Nancy Haecker, chair of the LMGI Awards, said location managers rely on film commissions throughout production work.
Haecker said film commissions help productions connect with communities, create local partnerships and address production challenges. She also credited AFCI with strengthening the international network of commissions and making them more effective partners for location professionals and production teams.
The award puts a behind-the-scenes branch of the industry at center stage: the local and regional groups that help productions figure out where and how to shoot.
Film commissions often serve as a bridge between crews and communities, and LMGI’s announcement frames AFCI as a key player in keeping that bridge strong across borders.
The 2026 LMGI Awards will bring the guild’s annual honors to the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, where AFCI will receive the Trailblazer Award among this year’s recognitions.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.