This year's Lifetime Visionary Award recipient is Jim York.  Mr. York's primary contribution to digital filmmaking in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast has been
his passion for starting and running digital film schools and boot camps that teach people how to write, shoot, direct, and edit their short character-driven drama,
comedy, or horror films. Jim's schools have always focused on small group classes and hands-on training by industry professionals. Each student learns to make their own film and each finished film is screened so the filmmaker, actors, crew members, friends, and family
can watch it together.
 
Jim graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a degree in Education. His past jobs include Admissions Director for the Columbia Schools of Broadcasting and Director of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in North Palm Beach. In 2003, Jim started the Palm Beach
Film School in West Palm Beach and opened the Miami Film School in Hollywood, FL a few years later.  In approximately 8 years, his film students shot over 250 short films. Several of the films received awards in various Florida Film Festivals including the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach Film Festivals.
 
In 2021, Jim started another film training program for the Palm Beach Code School and the CSB Media Arts Center in North Palm Beach.  In reflecting on his accomplishments, Mr. York says "It's been an honor and a privilege to work with so many aspiring Florida filmmakers over the years".