A Motion Picture Paradise!: A History of Florida’s Film and Television Industry

NSU Alvin Sherman Library hosts Dr. David Morton’s “A Motion Picture Paradise! A History of Florida’s Film and Television Industry” in connection with Beaches, Creatures, and Cowboys on exhibit in the Cotilla Gallery June 18 through August 20. Often overlooked in its contribution to film history, Florida has played a key role in creating the modern entertainment industry. This presentation discusses how Florida became a “third coast” to the American film and television industries over the past one hundred years. Starting with the first film pioneers in Jacksonville during the 1900s and 1910s to South Florida’s television boom during the 2000s and 2010s, Florida has inspired countless exciting stories captured by the camera.

David Morton received his Ph.D. in Texts and Technology from the University of Central Florida in 2019, where he also is an instructor in both History and Media Studies. He was a recipient of the 2016-17 Fulbright scholarship and serves as program director for the Flickering Landscapes Conference Series. His forthcoming book, A Motion Picture Paradise!: A History of Florida’s Film and Television Industry is expected for publication in 2023 with the University Press of Florida.

Registration is suggested but not required.

This Florida Talks program is a partnership between Florida Humanities and the (organization). Funding for this program was provided by Florida Humanities and sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the aforementioned entities.