Laying down the law at JFF

Jacksonville Film Festival
Friday, May 18, 2007
Laying down the law at JFF
Vic Micolucci

He lives in Malibu with his actress/ producer wife. He was one of the attorneys that shut down Napster. Everyday, he works with high-profile clientele in the film and entertainment industry. And today…he’s in Jacksonville? Kim Swartz, of Los Angeles law firm Mitchell, Silberburg, & Knupp, LLP, was at the Hyatt Regency to speak at the “Independent Filmmaking and the Law” seminar as a part of the Jacksonville Film Festival. Swartz, a peer-described “high-profile entertainment litigator for the world’s leading entertainment law firm,” talked about issues between producers and movies and even worked on a mock negotiation for attendees of the panel.

Swartz has ties to the First Coast; his wife, Megan Blake of “Animal Attractions Television,” is from Jacksonville and the two were wed in the River City. In recent years, Swartz and his wife have been noticing Jacksonville’s coming of age in the film industry. “A lot of credit should go to the sponsors. [There has been] a lot of support from everyone in this town.” Swartz says the city is really up-and-coming and he sees great things in the future. That’s one of the reasons his company is a sponsor of the Jacksonville Film Festival. Swartz couldn’t say enough good things about it. “I love it!” Swartz does have one complaint, however. “I get so busy talking to people [about the business and law aspects of the festival.] My fantasy is to be able to come to the film festival and actually see movies.”