Mayor's Award for Achievement in Film

As Creative Economy Director with King County, and Office of Film and Music Director with the City of Seattle, Kate Becker has been an unrelenting force in developing initiatives, policies, and programs supporting film production in Seattle and King County.

Prior to joining the former City of Seattle Office of Film and Music in 2014, Kate served in leadership roles at Seattle Theatre Group, Art Share LA in Los Angeles, and The New Art Center in Boston, MA. She co-founded legendary Northwest all-ages venues The Vera Project and the Old Fire House, both talent pipelines for the music industry, and founded the Old Fire House Media Lab, providing emerging filmmakers and musicians access to studio space. 

Kate served as King County Creative Economy Director and as the Director of the former Office of Film and Music for the City of Seattle. While at King County, Kate developed film-friendly permitting and filming policies, which created pathways for filmmakers to utilize public County land and office space for film productions.  Most significantly is Kate’s development and stewardship of Harbor Island Studios, an unused 117,000-square-foot concrete flour mill converted into film stages.  For five years, Harbor Island Studios has offered low-cost studio space to hundreds of commercial, episodic, feature film, and short film productions.  In addition to the production work, Harbor Island Studios has hosted dozens of film production training and film community meetings and gatherings.  

Amazon has long been one of the most significant drivers of commercial production in the Seattle region, contributing to a substantial volume of work that supports jobs, wages, and local businesses. Alongside other major companies, Amazon’s consistent investment in production has helped sustain an economically meaningful sector.

Tom Florino’s leadership has extended and amplified that impact. By aligning Amazon’s resources, advocacy, and visibility with broader industry efforts, he has helped elevate Seattle’s reputation as a viable and competitive market for commercial production.

His support of the Washington Filmworks incentive program, combined with his involvement in the Seattle Commercial Film Production Initiative, signals to the broader market that Seattle is not only open for business but actively investing in growth.

The 2026 Sphere of Influence event, hosted at the Amazon Spheres, further reinforced this positioning by bringing together key stakeholders and creating new pathways for collaboration. These efforts contribute directly to increased awareness, stronger industry connections, and expanded opportunities for production in the region.

Collectively, Tom’s contributions have helped strengthen Seattle’s standing as a city capable of supporting high-quality, high-volume commercial production, while also laying the groundwork for continued growth.

An American-born, Kenyan-raised filmmaker based in Seattle, Abdul is a dynamic storyteller whose work reflects his experience as a first-generation child of Kenyan immigrants. He has directed and produced over $10 million in commercial and branded content for clients including REI, Brooks Running, BECU, State of Washington Tourism, Sounders FC, HOKA, The North Face, Patagonia, Eddie Bauer, Facebook, Nike, and Cut.

With a foundation in music videos, collaborating with artists from local talent to globally recognized figures like Yo-Yo Ma, Abdul has developed a sharp visual voice and the ability to execute under pressure. His work also spans documentary filmmaking, particularly in the outdoor and brand space.

Widely regarded as one of the most consistent and trusted producers in Seattle, Abdul leads efficient productions while fostering inclusive, collaborative environments. He has earned the confidence of both brands and creatives through his leadership, vision, and consistent delivery. His ability to bridge commercial production with authentic storytelling positions him as a key figure in shaping the next wave of Seattle’s film ecosystem.

Having often been the only person of color early in his career, he is deeply committed to ensuring representation is meaningful and embedded throughout the creative process. Most recently, Abdul was awarded a Gold ADDY by the American Advertising Federation, further recognizing his excellence and impact in the field.