Since her appointment by Mayor Sharon Weston Broome in April 2017, Katie Patton Pryor has led the Baton Rouge Film Commission as its Executive Director, driving the growth of Baton Rouge's creative economy. With a background in political consulting and film production, she is a passionate advocate for film. Katie not only promotes Louisiana's industry globally through speaking engagements at international festivals and markets but also shapes future talents as the Founding Board President of the Louisiana Academy of Production and as an adjunct professor at Louisiana State University. Her course delves into industry trends, the social impact of storytelling, and the social and economic importance of representation in film. As a co-founder of Film USA, Katie champions the American film industry both domestically and internationally.
Her leadership extends to serving on the board of the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association and the LSU Faculty Film and TV Search Committee, as well as holding a gubernatorial appointment on the Naval War Memorial Commission. Katie's dedication to advancing women's roles was recognized by an appointment to serve on the Mayor's Transition Committee for Women's Advancement in 2015. Her achievements have garnered numerous accolades, including the Excellence in Sales & Marketing Award in 2021, a spot in the Baton Rouge Business Report's Forty Under 40 in 2022, recognition as a key influencer in The Capital Region 500 and a 2023-2024 CHANGEMAKERS cohort. Katie's commitment to empowering women in film and television was further honored with The Iris Empowered Women Award by WIFT in 2023.