The Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado announced Monday that the Four Corners Film Office program will move under the Durango Film Institute.

As of Jan. 1, the Durango Film Institute, which includes the Durango Independent Film Festival board and staff, will be the point of contact for the film office in its role as a liaison between production companies, the region, the Colorado Office of Television and Media and other partners in the surrounding Four Corners area. The Four Corners Film Office assists filmmakers, production companies, local business and communities by acting as an information hub and facilitator for production needs in Southwest Colorado and the Four Corners Region.

“The Four Corners Film Office was launched in May of 2011 under the administrative umbrella of the Region 9, and since that time has worked with between 20 to 30 production inquiries a year with total impact (excluding major feature films) of $5.5 million,” Region 9 program administrator Terry Blair-Burton said in a press release. “This includes everything from independent films to commercials and photography shoots.”

“Marc Snider was the key person who not only brought the concept to Region 9 but gave of his time for five years to make the idea a reality,” said Laura Lewis Marchino, executive director of Region 9. “We all knew that our region needed to be on the film radar, and that films bring a positive economic impact to an area not to mention the industry has proven to be recession-proof.”

However, the film office’s advisory board realized that the office needed more funding, energy and ideas to succeed, and the Durango Film Institute became interested.

Joanie Leonard, executive director of the Durango Film Institute, says they are in a position to continue operations smoothly and efficiently. “We have longtime connections with the artistic side of the industry and a nonprofit status should help as well. We’re already working on ideas to actively promote film production in the area.”

The current 4CFO contact at Region 9, Stephani Burditt, will join the Film Institute board to help with the transition.

For more information about the 4CFO go to www.4cornersfilmoffice.org or call 970-946-1108.