The Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development (GOMPTD) and the New York State Commission on National and Community Service (NYSCNCS) collaborated in a “Film Good/Do Good” community service initiative at the New York Common Pantry in New York City yesterday along with New York Cares, Inc. volunteer network and production company EPIX. The state agencies teamed up with the production team of EPIX’s TV series Godfather of Harlem as they handed out food and other goods to those in need at the New York Common Pantry in the East Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan. This is the 27^th “Film Good/Do Good” project since the program was announced in early 2016.

The “Film Good/Do Good” program, a joint initiative of Governor’s Office for Motion Pictures and Television Distribution and New York State Commission on National and Community Services, promotes volunteerism from film companies to give back to the communities which host them during filming. New York Cares, Inc., a leading volunteer service agency, helped coordinate yesterday’s project.

Gigi Semone, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Motion Picture and Television Development said, "Film Good/Do Good helps the film and TV industries give back to the communities in which they film through meaningful volunteer service. Godfather of Harlem is not only bringing jobs and great economic benefits to the neighborhood, but also putting personal time and energy into working with organizations like the New York Common Pantry to provide assistance to local residents in need. We are very grateful to the cast and crew, the producing team and EPIX for their commitment to the Harlem community and support of the Film Good / Do Good program.”

Linda J. Cohen, Executive Director of the New York State Commission on National and Community Service said, “We are delighted to recognize EPIX volunteers from Godfather of Harlem who, through their service, will help New York families in need. The support from the film community for Film Good/Do Good this holiday season will help New Yorkers by providing them with turkeys, hams, and other food to enjoy, and will assist New York Common Pantry in its mission to fight hunger and serve those in need.”

Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares, Inc. said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Film Good/Do Good to help generous productions like Godfather of Harlem make a meaningful contribution to vulnerable New Yorkers in Harlem. Volunteerism is critical to serving those in need, and we salute EPIX and Film Good/Do Good for recognizing the extraordinary impact the film and television community can make on the communities in which they shoot.”

EPIX Productions is filming the first season of the story of infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson who, after a decade in prison, returns to Harlem in the early 1960s to a neighborhood in shambles. With the help of Malcolm X, Johnson seeks to regain control of East Harlem from the Genovese crime family. Principal photography for the series began in September. The show is expected to premiere in 2019.

About the New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture & Television Development

The New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture & Television Development (MPTV), a division of Empire State Development (ESD), offers film, television and commercial productions and post-production tax credits for qualified expenditures in New York State. The office also serves as a liaison between production companies and city and local governments, state agencies, a network of statewide contacts, local film offices and professional location scouts and managers. Film Good/Do Good is funded by a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service. For more information on filming in New York State or the Film Production and Post-Production Tax Credit Programs, please visit www.nylovesfilm.com.

About the New York State Commission on National and Community Service

The New York State Commission on National and Community Service seeks to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering in New York State. It was established in 1994 by an Executive Order of the Governor, and, among other initiatives, administers programs funded by the National Community Service Trust Act of 1993, including AmeriCorps programs. Film Good/Do Good is a volunteer generation program sponsored by the Commission in service of its mission. For more information, visit newyorkersvolunteer.ny.gov, like NYS CNCS on Facebook, and follow @NYersVolunteer on Twitter.

About Film Good/Do Good

In collaboration with the Governor’s Office of Motion Picture and Television Development, the New York State Commission on National and Community Service launched Film Good/Do Good in April 2016. Film Good/Do Good is the first and only state government-organized community giveback program in the nation that is tailored specifically to the film and television industry. This partnership between the Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development and the New York State Commission on National and Community Service encourages and formalizes opportunities for film and television productions to offer hands-on volunteer service to nonprofit organizations in communities in which they film, and amplifies the benefit productions bring to New York State beyond the economic footprint.