SOURCE: Greater Cleveland Film Commission

GCFC’s two-day program this weekend spotlights Northeast Ohio film talent, workforce training, and behind-the-scenes stories from iconic Hollywood films

CLEVELAND, OH — The Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC) will host a two-day series of events this weekend featuring Northeast Ohio-native and film industry legend David Lester, whose five-decade career spans some of the most influential films in modern cinema.

Lester’s work as a Producer and Production Manager includes Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, TRON, The Black Stallion, Broadcast News, Bull Durham, In the Line of Fire, The Shawshank Redemption, Air Force One, and more. 

Behind the Camera with David Lester - Friday, January 9th

GCFC hosts its renowned Behind the Camera gala this Friday, January 9th at the Cleveland History Center, headquarters for Western Reserve Historical Society.  

Fox 8 morning news anchor Stephani Schaefer will moderate a conversation with David as he shares behind-the-scenes stories and reflects on his work across multiple areas of film, from the pioneering robotic camera visual effects on Star Wars: A New Hope to the beloved, multiple Academy Award-nominated The Shawshank Redemption.  

Doors open at 5 pm, the conversation with David Lester begins at 6 pm.

All attendees will have access to the WRHS’s newest exhibition “Hollywood on the Cuyahoga: Northeast Ohio and the Movies”, presented by PNC.  Lester’s upbringing in North Olmsted is one of many examples highlighted in the exhibit of local talent rising to leadership roles or stardom in the film industry.

Individual tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at ClevelandFilm.com. 

Production Assistant Workshop - Saturday, January 10, 2026

Lester will also co-lead the GCFC’s signature Production Assistant Workshop this Saturday, January 10th at Tri-C Metropolitan Campus, the hosting partner for the event. The workshop provides in-depth training to arm attendees with the skills to build a lucrative career as production crew in the Northeast Ohio motion picture industry.

Using the 1997 motion picture Air Force One (which filmed in Cleveland), the workshop walks participants through a full day on a film set step-by-step to train on set hierarchy, protocols, production paperwork, and much more. 

This workshop is FREE, open to participants age 18 and older, with lunch provided. Registration is required and available at ClevelandFilm.com. 

These events are made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, KeyBank, The Reinberger Foundation, the Community Foundation of Lorain County, the DiSanto Family Foundation, KJK, Venues 360, EATON, and Cuyahoga Community College, with transportation provided by United Airlines.

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About Greater Cleveland Film Commission: 

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC) not only offers Northeast Ohioans industry-leading training from prominent working professionals, but also provides a one-stop-shop of resources to filmmakers seeking to invest and hire in Northeast Ohio.  

GCFC’s work generated over $130.9 Million in motion picture production direct spending in NE Ohio in the 2024-2025 cycle, creating thousands of local crew jobs.  GCFC’s work also generated $1.8 million in city income tax revenue and $2.1 million in sales tax revenue from 2024 to 2025, in addition to other local, county, and state income revenue.

GCFC does not receive any compensation or commission from the investment and jobs it brings to Northeast Ohio. We rely on the generous support of local government, corporate and foundation sponsorship, and the support of individuals. 

The GCFC is the only 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to driving economic development and job creation by cultivating a robust film and television industry in Northeast Ohio. Since 2009, media projects in Ohio have generated nearly $1.4 billion in economic impact and created 7,100 full-time equivalent jobs. Over the last 2 years, nearly 80% of Ohio's film tax incentive spending has occurred in Greater Cleveland thanks to the work of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. 

Visit www.clevelandfilm.com to learn more.