Film Executive & Production Leadership
Film Executive, Film Commissions, Industry Strategist
Tony Armer is a veteran film executive, producer, and industry strategist with leadership experience spanning film commissions, studio operations, production infrastructure, film festivals, producing, writing, directing, and independent film finance and distribution.
Over the course of his career, Tony has helped facilitate and oversee productions ranging from independent features to internationally recognized projects, while working alongside studios, financiers, distributors, streamers, film commissions, and production companies throughout the United States and international film markets.
His executive background includes leadership roles in film commissions, studio development, physical production, workforce initiatives, film festival operations, and strategic industry partnerships, giving him a rare combination of creative and operational expertise across the entertainment industry.
Tony Armer has spent more than two decades working across film production, film commissions, festivals, and global industry markets. His experience spans independent film financing, production leadership, workforce development, film incentive advocacy, and strategic partnerships with studios, distributors, streamers, filmmakers, and entertainment organizations throughout the United States and abroad. As Vice President of FilmUSA and Co-Founder of the Sunscreen Film Festival, Tony continues to help shape conversations surrounding production growth, film incentives, and the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.
Sunscreen Film Festival
Tony Armer co-founded the Sunscreen Film Festival in 2005 alongside Derek Miner. The festival celebrated it’s 21st year in 2026. Over the past two decades, the festival has grown to an internationally recognized powerhouse drawing filmmakers and attendees from across the globe.
Ranked on Film Freeway as one of the Top 100 Film Festivals worldwide out of over 14,000. Sunscreen showcases great independent films, has a strong emphasis on education, and draws celebrities and entertainment professionals to sunny St. Petersburg, FL, each spring.
Film USA – National Impact
INDUSTRY FIRST
First national association of its kind
Film USA is a national, non-profit trade organization co-founded by Tony Armer and Katie Patton Pryor, bringing together nearly 100 state and regional film commissions under one unified umbrella to promote and expand the U.S. film and television industry. The organization works to increase global competitiveness, improve access for industry professionals, and grow U.S. content exports.
In addition to fostering business relationships and elevating the worldwide presence of American film and TV, Film USA plays a key role in job creation and economic development through strategic marketing and streamlined communication. On a national level, Film USA is actively working with major industry stakeholders and numerous government and private entities to advance U.S. production interests.
FILM USA
UNITED STATES FILM COMMISSION
Film Commissioner Experience
Leading film commissions to new heights and transforming regions into thriving production hubs
Dallas Film Commissioner (2023–2024)
Following his achievements in Florida, Tony brought his expertise to Dallas where he was film commissioner from January 2023 to August 2024. He quickly made an impact by:
- Securing major soundstage investment within his first three months.
- Implementing innovative workforce development initiatives.
- Creating strategic marketing campaigns that elevated Dallas’s industry profile.
- Revitalizing the city as a competitive film production hub.
St. Pete Clearwater Film Commissioner (2014–2023)
From 2014 to 2023, Tony Armer led the St. Petersburg Clearwater Film Commission the most successful and impactful period in the organization’s 30-year history.
- Transformed the St. Petersburg/Clearwater region into an internationally recognized hub for filmmaking and production.
- Created and expanded an innovative local film incentive program that attracted dozens of productions and generated millions in tourism and economic impact.
- Developed a regional incentive model that was later replicated by film commissions throughout Florida and other markets around the country.
- Strengthened partnerships between filmmakers, local governments, tourism leaders, studios, and industry organizations to elevate the region’s profile globally.
- Oversaw record growth in film activity, industry engagement, national and international media exposure, and visibility during his tenure as Film Commissioner.
Tony Armer's leadership as a film executive transformed our region into a filmmaking destination, creating jobs and economic impact even without state incentives. His innovative approach and strategic vision set a new standard for film commissions nationwide.
KEY OF BONES: CURSE OF THE GHOST PIRATE
GHOSTS. PIRATES. DRAG QUEENS.
Set against the vibrant and eerie backdrop of Key West, Florida, Key of Bones: Curse of the Ghost Pirate is a high-energy blend of action-adventure, horror, and comedy.
A local waitress, a ghost tour guide, and an unlucky tourist uncover a cursed pirate coin tied to the legendary pirate Anne Bonny. As the curse spreads, ghostly forces begin to rise, unleashing an undead presence across the island.
As past and present collide, the group must uncover the truth behind the curse and stop it before Key West is overrun by the dead.
DIRECTOR STATEMENT
From the start, my goal with Key of Bones: Curse of the Ghost Pirate was simple: make a fun, wildly entertaining film. I’ve always loved horror-comedy, stories that deliver real thrills while making audiences laugh, and that spirit is at the core of this movie.
Key West has long been a personal inspiration. Its history of shipwrecks, smugglers, and its reputation as one of the most haunted cities in America make it the perfect setting. It’s a place full of color, energy, and unpredictability, an ideal backdrop for blending pirate mythology with a modern supernatural story.
Key of Bones combines adventure, humor, and horror into one cinematic ride. At its core, it’s about giving audiences a great time, a film built to be fun, fast, and memorable. It’s a mix of rum, revenge, romance, and supernatural chaos, designed to remind people why they love going to the movies.
TERMINAL KILL
Terminal Kill – A Gritty, Cold War Spy Thriller from Award-Winning Filmmaker Tony Armer.
What if a shadow organization recruited the dying to do their dirty work?
Terminal Kill is a pulse-pounding graphic novel based on Tony Armer’s award-finalist screenplay, a suspenseful, emotionally charged spy story about sacrifice, conspiracy, and survival.
Kendra Volkov has months to live. Her son is 10. Her mother has Alzheimer’s. She’s offered a solution by the mysterious Mr. Griffin, assassinate a ruthless Russian human trafficker, and in return, her family will be cared for. Forever.
But not everything is as it seems. She’s not a trained killer. Just a mother with nothing left to lose.
Writer/Director
Tony Armer
Letters
Joel Saavedra
Pencils, Inks & Colors
Luke Stone
In Memory of
Dale Pople
Colors
Patrick Gama & Mikaella Fusco de Campos
Executive Producer
Heather Armer
ABOUT TERMINAL KILL
Filmmaker & Creator
Award-Winning Director, Writer, Producer
Tony Armer is an accomplished film executive, creative producer, writer, and director whose work spans feature films, television, and documentary storytelling. In addition, he has helped develop and produce multiple films that secured theatrical release and North American distribution through Lionsgate. Furthermore, he serves as Executive Producer of Life’s Rewards, the Amazon Prime series backed by Visit Florida and Brand USA.
Filmmaking Expertise
Tony Armer is a writer, director, and film executive known for taking projects from concept to market with speed, clarity, and follow-through.
His latest feature, Key of Bones: Curse of the Ghost Pirate, was selected as one of only seven films to screen at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival as part of the Fantastic Pavilion Gala Screenings. Tony brought the film from script to Cannes screening in just seven months.
He has built a consistent track record of execution through collaboration. In partnership with Marty Poole and Fairway Film Alliance, Tony helped develop and launch Bernie the Dolphin and Bernie the Dolphin 2, both conceived at Cannes and moving into production within seven months, with distribution secured prior to filming. He also produced and put together A Taste of Love for the Hallmark Channel, another example of aligning concept, financing, and distribution efficiently through strong partnerships.
His screenplay Terminal Kill is currently in development as a feature film that he will direct. In documentary filmmaking, his work includes the award-winning Running with Demons and Portrait of a Superhero, both of which have earned international recognition.
Across narrative and documentary, Tony combines creative vision with practical execution, bringing the right people together, structuring projects to move quickly, and consistently delivering from development through production and distribution.
Director
Award-winning direction across multiple formats
Writer
Acclaimed screenplays and documentary narratives
Producer
Theatrical releases and streaming content
Education & Teaching
Combining academic excellence with industry experience to mentor the next generation of filmmakers
Academic Excellence & Industry Experience
Tony Armer has played a significant role in film education throughout his career, combining academic credentials with real-world experience to mentor and teach aspiring filmmakers. In addition he holds an MFA in Film and TV and has taught film and media courses at the college level.
Workshops & Educational Programs
As a film commissioner and co-founder of the Sunscreen Film Festival, Tony has created and led dozens of educational programs, hosting workshops, classes, and panel discussions at major events worldwide.
Dallas Film Podcast
Tony created the Dallas Film Podcast, where he hosted 60 episodes and interviewed top-tier guests, including Oscar winner Roger Deakins and his wife James Deakins of Team Deakins, along with many other high-level industry professionals.
Featured Episodes
Team Deakins: The Art of Cinematography
With Oscar winner Roger Deakins & James Deakins
Voice of Dragon Ball Z
With industry experts and successful producers
Oren Soffer - Cinematographer/The Creator
Insights from studio executives and independent filmmakers
Industry Relationships & Market Presence
Building global connections and partnerships across the film and television industry
Tony Armer maintains deep connections across the global film and television industry through active participation in major film markets and high-level industry events. Additionally, he regularly attends premier international festivals and markets including the Cannes Film Festival, Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM), Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Sundance Film Festival, South by Southwest (SXSW), and the American Film Market (AFM).
Through these events, Tony builds and strengthens relationships with studios, distributors, streamers, financiers, production companies, sales agents, and government agencies. Whether hosting panels, leading industry discussions, or engaging in one-on-one meetings, he uses every opportunity to promote collaborative partnerships and create new avenues for production, financing, and distribution. Not only that, his extensive global network is a key asset in connecting projects with the right people and platforms to succeed.
Key Industry Relationships
Through these events, Tony builds and strengthens relationships with key industry
players to create new opportunities.
Major Film Markets & Festivals
Tony regularly attends premier international festivals and markets, building
relationships and creating opportunities.
Creating Opportunities Through Connections
Whether hosting panels, leading industry discussions, or engaging in one-on-one meetings, Tony uses every opportunity to promote collaborative partnerships and create new avenues for production, financing, and distribution.
His extensive global network is a key asset in connecting projects with the right people and platforms to succeed in today’s competitive entertainment landscape.
Networking Activities
Industry Panels & Discussions
Leading conversations on industry trends and opportunities
One-on-One Meetings
Building personal relationships with key industry players
Networking Events
Participating in exclusive industry gatherings and receptions
In today's global film industry, relationships are everything. I'm committed to building bridges between talented creators and the resources they need to bring their visions to life. Whether it's connecting filmmakers with distributors or helping productions find the perfect location, these industry relationships drive success for everyone involved.
Press & Media
A Recognized Industry Voice
Featured in hundreds of media outlets across print, television, radio, podcasts, and online platforms
The film industry is evolving rapidly, with new distribution models and production technologies creating unprecedented opportunities for filmmakers and regions alike. The key is to stay adaptable while maintaining a focus on compelling storytelling.
Tony Armer is a recognized voice in the film and entertainment industry, having been featured in hundreds of media outlets over the course of his career. He has conducted extensive interviews across print, television, radio, podcasts, and online platforms—speaking on topics ranging from film production and economic development to industry trends and festival leadership.
From local news segments and national radio interviews to international trade publications and red carpet coverage, Tony’s insights have reached a global audience. His ability to speak fluently across both creative and business aspects of the industry has made him a go-to expert for journalists, broadcasters, and content creators seeking credible commentary and perspective.
Television
National & local broadcasts
Radio
Interviews & discussions
Magazines & newspapers
Podcasts
In-depth conversations
