On April 13, the Government of Alberta awarded Luke Azevedo, Calgary Film Commissioner and Vice President, Creative Industries and Operations at Calgary Economic Development a Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee medal.
Nominated by fellow Albertans, recipients of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal are recognized for their significant contributions to the province.
For Luke, these contributions are numerous. He has held leadership roles in Creative Industries for over 15 years at Calgary Economic Development, positioning and promoting Calgary as a major production destination.
“Luke always has his eyes set on the next opportunity to put Calgary on the global film and television stage. He is a visionary community leader, whose contagious passion inspires our local industry partners and his colleagues,” said Brad Parry, President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development.
“Calgary is a better place because of Luke’s tireless efforts to build a vibrant, inclusive digital media and entertainment sector.
Under Luke’s leadership, the city’s creative economy and screen industry has expanded and attracted world-class talent and productions – a priority in the city’s economic strategy, Calgary in the New Economy. In 2022, over $461 million was invested by film and tv productions in the Calgary region, with over 5,400 jobs created, retained and expanded in the same year.
“I am humbled to receive this award among the other inspiring community leaders. Calgary’s screen production ecosystem has some of the world’s best talent, vistas and stories to tell,” said Luke Azevedo, Vice President, Creative Industries, Operations and Calgary Film Commissioner.
“Our industry brings together bright minds with big ideas that resonate with people around the world, and it’s a privilege to be a part of the narrative.”
Recently home to record-breaking and critically acclaimed productions, Calgary rose two spots and placed as the eighth best city to live and work as a moviemaker, according to the MovieMaker Magazine 2023 list.
This honour recognizes Luke’s relentless dedication to growing Calgary’s creative industries sector particularly in film production, visual arts, talent attraction and retention in Calgary and the surrounding area.
A leader respected among international colleagues as well as those locally, Luke was also recently elected to the Board of Directors to the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI), a global consortium of over 300 film commissions across six continents. As the only distinguished representative from a city – not a country or region – this appointment elevates Calgary’s reputation as a global production center for filmmakers and content creators.
About the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal was created to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada on Feb. 6, 1952. By nomination, seven thousand Albertans who have demonstrated a significant contribution to the province will receive this medal. The commemorative medal was created in part of the Platinum Jubilee year celebrations and is organized by the Government of Alberta.
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