The Monterey County Film Commission board of directors recognized Karen Seppa Nordstrand with a Hollywood “Walk of Fame Star” replica plaque in 2020, in honor of her 30th anniversary year of working for the nonprofit organization.
Nordstrand, the Monterey County Film Commissioner, was hired in 1990 by the 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 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.
