Advocate for government incentives, such as tax credits, for film industry growth.
Provide assistance with government permits, license requirements, and all City department requests.
Host a free digital database of locations of film-friendly locations across the region.
Coordinate with neighborhoods and private property owners whose spaces are used as film locations.
Maintain ongoing dialogue with organized labor.
Host free online job listings for film-related opportunities.
Manage a free online database of Professional Listings for local crew and vendors working within the film industry.
Operate Greater Philadelphia Filmmakers, a program serving the regional independent media community through educational programming, industry workshops, and networking opportunities.
Offer an active and mutually beneficial Fiscal Sponsorship Program for qualifying locally based projects.
Run the “Set in Philadelphia” Screenwriting Competition.
Support and promote local filmmaking events and film festivals.
Administer the Film Office Internship Program.
Chair
Vice-Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Ten days after graduating from college, she began interning at the Greater Philadelphia Film
Office and never looked back. From Intern to Office Manager to Production Coordinator to now Co-Executive Director, her evolution at the “Film Office” was a natural one by blending film and her beloved city, which she loves marketing to incoming productions by showcasing the diverse
landscape of the region.
Her main duties include being the first point of contact for productions, assisting in securing locations for these projects, arranging City services such as police and street closures and being the link between production and local government during filming. As Co-Executive Director, she’ll take a more active role in workforce development, production attraction and fundraising. Erin loves speaking to film and media classes at local colleges and universities. She is passionate about encouraging the next generation of media professionals to stay in the area after graduation, fostering a strong local creative community.
When not bringing the next big project to the area, her proudest job is being mom to daughter, Easton (and volunteering for her many activities) and wife to Steve.
Nicole Shiner grew up in Harrisburg, PA where she fell in love with all things film via her love for acting. A graduate of Ursinus College, Nicole started with GPFO in 2004 as assistant to the Executive Director and transitioned into the role of Director of Operations and Government Affairs in 2010. A former employee of the Pennsylvania and United States House of Representatives, her experience with elected officials at the state and federal level have served the office well and provide her with exceptional understanding into the challenges facing the industry and opportunities to capitalize on the GPFO’s strengths.
As Co-Executive Director, Nicole focuses on the operations of the organization – including finance, human relations, and works with the board of directors and the board of advisors– and is the key contact for the agency’s work with the Pennsylvania Film Tax Credit program, that state’s best job creator & economic development driver. In that role she will continue to promote the program to the industry worldwide & support and advocate for filmmakers during their application process.
Nicole represented GPFO at both the American Black Film Festival in 2008 and at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012 where she promoted PA’s Film Tax Credit program. And, from 2015-2019 she served as Vice President of Billy Penn Music, GPFO’s Music in Film initiative.
Lena Bhise is the Director of Greater Philadelphia Filmmakers at the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, where she supports the region’s filmmaking community through professional development, networking opportunities, and artist support programs. She organizes the annual Joan Bressler Set in Philadelphia Screenwriting Competition, overseeing screenplay submissions and coordinating the judging process. Lena also administers GPFO’s fiscal sponsorship program where she reviews project proposals, business plans, and budgets, and helps filmmakers navigate the process of accessing their funds. She manages the GPFO Jobs Hotline, Calendar of Events, and Filmmaker Spotlights on the organization’s website.
Lena fell in love with documentary production while interning at HBO Sports during her undergraduate studies at New York University. Upon graduating, she jumped at the opportunity to join the network as a production assistant. She worked on documentaries about the 1999 U.S. Women’s World Cup team, the Curse of the Chicago Cubs, and baseball trailblazer Curt Flood, who helped usher in free agency in the sport. Lena also worked on live event boxing fights, one of HBO’s marquee brands, and Inside the NFL, one of the longest running programs in cable history. After leaving HBO Sports, Lena produced an ESPN 30-for-30 documentary on all-or-nothing tennis player Jimmy Connors, who made an iconic run at the 1991 US Open at the age of 39.
Lena moved to Los Angeles in 2014 to join the NFL Network as lead producer for Thursday Night Football. She’s especially proud of a piece she produced on former Eagles defensive end and current Head of Football Development and Strategy Connor Barwin, and his efforts to give back to the community in Philadelphia. She also produced a documentary on Peter Westbrook, the first African American to medal at the Olympics in fencing for DirecTV after leaving the NFL Network.
In 2020, Lena earned a University of Southern California with a Master’s Degree in Public Policy. At USC, Lena focused on community-oriented policy initiatives for women and people of color, both in the classroom and with a social impact fellowship. She most recently came from Empire State Development where she worked on small business development for the New York State Film Office, and on policy and advocacy for the New York City Employment and Training Coalition, a nonprofit organization focused on workforce development.
Lena is thrilled to support the region’s filmmaking community and is excited to put down roots in the Philadelphia area with her husband and daughter.
Susan Reiff currently serves as Production Coordinator and Communications Liaison for GPFO.
Originally from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Susan came to Philadelphia to pursue a degree in Television Production and Media Management at Drexel University. After graduating in 2019, she chose to remain in the area to contribute to Philadelphia’s film industry. With previous time spent at PhillyCAM and working with local creatives, Susan highly values independent filmmaking within the region. Outside of GPFO, Susan is an active member of the local improv comedy community.
Susan has worked at GPFO for five years and previously served as Executive Assistant, Office Manager, and Assistant Production Coordinator. Her current duties encompass supporting local productions with permitting, city services, parking, location packages, and any other needs projects have while filming in the region. Additionally, she manages the organization’s communications, social media, copyediting, and in-office duties.
