Local Filmmaker Tyler Lockamy Appointed Film Liaison for Shasta and Tehama Counties
- Elisa Ballard
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
REDDING, Calif. — The Redding City Council heard an important update on the future of local film promotion during its June 16, 2026, meeting: Tyler Lockamy, a North State native and established filmmaker, has been named Film Liaison for Shasta and Tehama Counties under the Upstate California Film Commission (UCFC). The appointment takes effect July 1, 2026, as longtime Regional Film Commissioner Sabrina Jurisich transitions out of the role after a decade of leadership.
Lockamy will step into a key position supporting Film Shasta, the official film commission for Shasta County. In this capacity, he will assist productions with location scouting from a library of more than 550 film-friendly sites, permit coordination, local crew and resource connections, and information on incentives — all services provided at no cost to filmmakers. The goal remains attracting productions that generate jobs, tourism, and economic activity across the North State.
Jurisich, who expanded the organization from a Shasta County focus to the broader UCFC, serving Shasta, Tehama, Yuba, and Sutter counties, is moving to a new role with Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS), beginning July 1. During her tenure, the commission grew its visibility, supported dozens of projects annually, and strengthened relationships with the broader California film industry. David Read of the Yuba Sutter Arts Council will serve as Film Liaison for Yuba and Sutter counties as part of the same transition.
Lockamy brings deep local roots and hands-on industry experience to the position. A graduate of Bishop Quinn High School and longtime Shasta County resident, he is Head of Production and co-founder of Archetype Pictures. He has produced and championed independent films while advocating for filmmakers to retain creative control and build sustainable models outside traditional Hollywood structures. He also serves as co-director of the Sundial Film Festival at Redding’s historic Cascade Theatre and chairs the board of the Redding Film Fund.
His recent producing credits include The Dresden Sun, a 2026 science-fiction heist thriller written and directed by Michael Ryan. The cyberpunk-style feature, which stars Christina Ricci, Steven Ogg, and Samantha Win, was developed with significant Northern California involvement and received support from Film Shasta during production and release. The film is now available for digital purchase and rental. Lockamy has previously collaborated closely with Film Shasta on other projects, including earlier films shot across dozens of Redding-area locations, and has publicly praised the commission’s practical assistance with permits and community connections.
In a recent Filmmaker Spotlight feature by Film Shasta, Lockamy highlighted the value of local support: the commission’s role in enabling productions to work efficiently in the region and its partnership with community events like the Sundial Film Festival, which continues to grow and spotlight both local and regional storytelling.
Council members and community members at the June 16 meeting viewed the appointment as a natural continuation of efforts to strengthen Shasta County’s position as a welcoming, cost-effective filming destination with diverse natural backdrops — from the Sundial Bridge and Shasta Dam to mountain lakes, forests, and waterfalls. UCFC has scheduled events, including one in Santa Monica later this month, to introduce Lockamy to industry partners formally.
“Tyler’s appointment ensures that the strong foundation built over the past decade will continue with someone who knows our community, understands the challenges and opportunities of independent filmmaking, and is already deeply invested in growing film culture here at home,” supporters noted in connection with the transition.
Film Shasta and the Upstate California Film Commission will maintain operations during the leadership transition, with updated contact information posted on filmshasta.com and upstatecafilm.com. Productions and local creatives interested in resources or collaboration are encouraged to reach out via the websites.
With Lockamy’s combination of a local perspective, production experience on projects like The Dresden Sun, and an active role in the Sundial Film Festival, Shasta County’s film promotion efforts are positioned to build on recent momentum while keeping the focus on community benefit and authentic storytelling.
For more information on filming in Shasta County or the work of Film Shasta, visit filmshasta.com.
