The Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) is the largest organization of Location Managers and Location Scouts in the motion picture, television, commercial and print production industries. Their membership plays a vital role in the creativ
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14 • LMGI COMPASS | Spring 2026 The LMGI Makes Its SXSW Festival Debut This March, I had the chance to represent the Location Managers Guild International at 2026 SXSW (South By Southwest) in Austin, Texas, joining a panel titled "Discussing International Location Filming with the LMGI." As First VP of the LMGI, it was a great opportunity to bring our global production perspective into the conversation. I was joined by fellow SLMs Leann Emmert/LMGI, and D. Zachary Heine/LMGI, and together, we dug into what it really means to film across borders today. While the panel was framed around international production, the discussion quickly widened to include negotiation, incentives, shifting production markets, location fatigue and the day-to-day realities facing both independent and studio projects. We kept the format loose; more of a guided conversation than a formal panel with audience Q&As woven throughout. That made a real difference. It allowed us to respond in the moment and let the discussion move naturally between our experiences and the perspectives in the room. There was a strong turnout, and the level of engagement stood out. People weren't just curious about what we do: They were interested in how and why it matters. What struck me most was how much the conversation reached beyond the Location Department. We heard from independent producers and local government representatives, many of whom were trying to better understand how location managers contribute creatively and how different stakeholders can work together more effectively. A lot of the questions came back to collaboration: how we support storytelling, promote regions, and build relationships with communities and decision-makers to make production not just possible, but sustainable. One of the key things I wanted to convey is that location professionals aren't just finding places to film. We're working at the intersection of storytelling, logistics, diplomacy and community relations. A big part of the job is navigating complexity; turning an initial "no" into something workable, adapting to the impact of incentives on where production flows or managing the pressures that come with filming in places experiencing location fatigue. We also talked about how much the role has evolved. Production is more international than ever, and it comes with layers of regulatory, logistical and political considerations. That means we're often balancing multiple jurisdictions, aligning creative ambition with practical realities, and building trust with local stakeholders; all while making sure productions operate responsibly. Those responsibilities aren't on the sidelines; they're central to getting a project made. SXSW this year had a strong focus on AI and the future of creative work, and that naturally found its way into our conversation. We acknowledged the growing role of these tools and shared how some of us are already using them for research, scouting prep, image analysis, organization and visualization. At the same time, we kept coming back to the importance of using them thoughtfully, with clear attention to information management and intellectual property. Technology is evolving quickly, but the core of the job still comes down to people, judgment, and relationships. For me, the panel was a reminder of the role the LMGI can play in broader industry conversations. SXSW is a space where people are thinking about what's next—technology, creativity and new ways of working. It felt important to be part of that and to underline something simple:At the end of the day, successful filmmaking still depends on people who know how to connect the dots between story, place and possibility. by Angus Ledgerwood/LMGI LMGI members L-R: Leann Emmert, Angus Ledgerwood & D. Zachary Heine. Photo courtesy of Angus Ledgerwood/LMGI