Herald-Tribune reporter Jimmy Geurts appears on WUSF to discuss film project

Herald-Tribune reporter Jimmy Geurts went on radio station WUSF–FM 89.7’s "Florida Matters" program to discuss the Florida film industry and his recent Herald-Tribune stories on the same topic.

The conversation, which first aired Tuesday evening, will be rebroadcast 7:30 a.m. Sunday on WUSF and 10 p.m. Monday on Classical WSMR–FM 89.1 and 103.9. The episode is also available to listen to online now at wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/term/florida-matters-0.

Geurts joined host Robin Sussingham, as well as Hillsborough County film commissioner Tyler Martinolich and Sarasota-based filmmaker Tony Stopperan, to discuss the current state of Florida’s film industry. Florida has not had a state film program since 2016, leading several film and television productions to shoot in nearby states such as Georgia and Louisiana that have tax incentives.

In reporting for his recent stories, Geurts spent months talking to filmmakers, film commissioners, politicians and advocacy groups about how they’re trying to bring productions to Florida even without state tax incentives, including Ringling College of Art & Design’s Studio Lab program that has attracted filmmakers such as Kevin Smith to Sarasota. Both stories can be found at heraldtribune.com/filminflorida.

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