A Motion Picture Paradise! A History of Florida's Film and Television Industry

Join us in the auditorium on the August 2 Free First Saturday for a presentation by Dr. David Morton, entitled “A Motion Picture Paradise! A History of Florida’s Film and Television Industry.” Often overlooked in its contribution to film history, Florida has played a key role in creating the modern entertainment industry. This presentation discusses how Florida became a third coast to the American film and television industries over the past one hundred years. Starting with the first film pioneers in Jacksonville during the 1900s and 1910s to South Florida’s television boom during the 2000s and 2010s, Florida has inspired countless exciting stories captured by the camera.

This presentation is free as part of Free First Saturday; no reservation needed to attend.

About the speaker:
David Morton received his Ph.D. in Texts and Technology from the University of Central Florida in 2019, where he also is an instructor in both History and Media Studies. He was a recipient of the 2016-17 Fulbright scholarship and serves as program director for the Flickering Landscapes Conference Series. His book, Motion Picture Paradise! A History of Florida’s Film and Television Industry was published by the University Press of Florida in July 2024.