AMHERST, N.Y. – Buffalo Niagara Film Commissioner Tim Clark will talk about the historic growth of major film production in Western New York as Daemen College’s Distinguished Leaders Lecture Series speaker at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 30 in the Wick Campus Center’s Alumni Lounge. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Clark will discuss growth in the local film industry, attracting new feature film projects to the Buffalo area, and the economic impact this sector has had on the region. He will also highlight Buffalo’s recent major film projects, including “Marshall,” for which scenes were filmed at Daemen House, the college’s presidential residence, and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2.”

“The filming of these recent movies are two great examples of how Buffalo has taken its place among major film production cities in the country,” said Clark. “I look forward to speaking at Daemen about the true renaissance in filmmaking that is taking place in our region.”

Starting out in the television industry, Clark was director of news operations at WKBW-TV and then went on to serve as press secretary for the Erie County Executive. He was named film commissioner of the Buffalo Niagara region in 2006.

“When filming was done at Daemen House, we had the unique opportunity to see first-hand the success of the vibrant film industry right here in Western New York,” said Daemen President Gary A. Olson, “We are pleased to have one of our state’s top film executives come to campus to tell us about the many impressive projects filmed in our region.”

The Daemen Distinguished Leaders Lecture Series brings top government and public officials and business leaders to campus to share their unique perspective on critical state, national and international issues. It is sponsored by Harris Beach PLLC, a major New York-based law firm with offices in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Ithaca, White Plains, New York City and Long Island.