FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2026
CREATE48 Media Network Reaches Agreement with King County to Support Continued Operations at Harbor Island Studios
Agreement helps preserve critical production infrastructure while advancing workforce pathways in King County’s creative economy
SEATTLE, WA — CREATE48 Media Network announced today that it has reached an agreement with King County to support continued operations at Harbor Island Studios, preserving a critical regional production asset while long-term strategies for the facility continue to develop.
CREATE48 is a Washington-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports filmmakers and creative workers through hands-on production experience, workforce development, community programming, and equitable access initiatives. Its leadership has operated the Seattle 48 Hour Film Project since its inception in 2005. More information is available at create48.org.
“CREATE48 Media Network is deeply grateful to County Executive Zahilay and his staff for their leadership, responsiveness, and partnership in reaching an agreement that keeps Harbor Island Studios moving forward,” said Kirk Nordenstrom, Executive Director of CREATE48 Media Network. “Their work helps preserve critical production infrastructure while allowing us to continue building pathways to family-wage careers in King County’s creative economy. We also want to thank Councilmembers Balducci and Mosqueda for their encouragement and support throughout this effort. Together with County leadership, King County Film Advisory Board, industry partners, and community stakeholders, we look forward to helping shape a long-term strategy that maintains a strong, sustainable production studio presence in King County.”
Through its work with local filmmakers and the Seattle 48 Hour Film Project, CREATE48 has seen how access to professional studio space helps emerging creatives gain practical experience, build networks, and move toward higher-level commercial work.
“We are thrilled that Create 48 has been able to reach a deal with the County to operate Harbor Island Studios for the next year, and we’re grateful to the advocates in the Executive’s office and the King County Council for their support in arriving at this outcome. We look forward to working alongside King County, Create 48, and our local community to preserve this valuable asset and leverage its potential to grow Washington’s creative economy,” said Megan Griffiths, Seattle filmmaker and King County Film Advisory Board member.
“Film is such a rich medium, building community through sharing stories and our common humanity. Today marks a critical step to preserve Harbor Island Studios as a vital part of our local film industry,” said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “I am grateful to Create 48 and the Executive team for stepping up to keep this unique asset alive while we continue to work toward long term sustainability and success for Harbor Island Studios and for local film production right here in the heart of King County.”
CREATE48 will work with King County, the King County Film Advisory Board, industry partners, and community stakeholders to support day-to-day continuity at Harbor Island Studios and contribute to broader planning for the facility’s future.
“Harbor Island Studios is more than a building,” said Kris Flink, Director of Operations for CREATE48 Media Network. “It is a place where emerging filmmakers, working professionals, educators, and community partners can connect through real production experience. Keeping the Studios active gives us the chance to keep building those bridges between first opportunities and long-term creative careers.”
CREATE48 also announced that the Seattle 48 Hour Film Project kickoff event will be the first public-facing event held at Harbor Island Studios under CREATE48 Media Network’s management. Members of the media are invited to attend the kickoff, which begins at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10, at Harbor Island Studios. The event will launch a 48-hour filmmaking weekend in which teams write, shoot, edit, and deliver short films. Premiere screenings will take place at SIFF Cinema Uptown Theater on July 27, 28, 29, and 30. Event information and registration are available at 48hourfilm.com/seattle.
About CREATE48 Media Network
CREATE48 Media Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington State. Building on more than 20 years of leadership through the Seattle 48 Hour Film Project, CREATE48 supports filmmakers and creative workers through time-based production challenges, workforce development programs, community events, fiscal sponsorship, mentorship, podcasts, and equitable access initiatives. More information is available at create48.org.
About the Seattle 48 Hour Film Project
The Seattle 48 Hour Film Project is a fast-paced filmmaking challenge in which teams write, shoot, edit, and score a short film over a single weekend. At kickoff, teams receive a genre along with required elements that must appear in their films. Completed films premiere for local audiences after the competition weekend, and the winning film advances to Filmapalooza, the international 48 Hour Film Project festival. The 2026 Seattle event runs July 10–12 and is produced by Kirk Nordenstrom and Kris Flink. More information is available at 48hourfilm.com/seattle.
Media Contact
Kirk Nordenstrom
Executive Director, CREATE48 Media Network
Co-producer, Seattle 48 Hour Film Project
kirk.nordenstrom@create48.org
206-409-2466
Kris Flink
Director of Operations, CREATE48 Media Network
Facility Manager, Harbor Island Studios
Co-producer, Seattle 48 Hour Film Project
harborislandstudios@create48.org
kris.flink@create48.org
206-698-8562
Harbor Island Studios and the Public Value of Creative Infrastructure
CREATE48’s interest in operating Harbor Island Studios is grounded in its nonprofit mission: building creative infrastructure, expanding opportunity, and supporting a stronger regional film and media workforce. The organization’s goal is to help preserve Harbor Island Studios as an accessible, professionally managed production resource while strengthening its role as a bridge between community participation, workforce development, and commercial production activity.
During the proposed one-year license period, CREATE48 would focus on operational stability, responsive client service, transparent scheduling practices, responsible stewardship of the facility, and continued collaboration with King County and industry stakeholders. The organization also intends to support broader public-benefit outcomes, including local workforce development, equitable access, creative economy growth, and expanded opportunities for underrepresented and under-resourced creators.
As part of the proposed operating structure, Kris Flink, CREATE48’s Director of Operations, would serve as the facilities manager for Harbor Island Studios. Flink has been closely involved with the Studios through CREATE48’s events, community activity, ongoing coordination with King County partners, and her own work bringing productions into the facility as a creative producer. Few people outside County operations have spent more time in the facility or have a stronger practical understanding of how the Studios function day to day. Her role would help provide continuity, institutional knowledge, client-facing production insight, and hands-on operational oversight during the proposed license period.
“This is about keeping a valuable public asset active, accessible, and aligned with the needs of the regional creative economy,” said Kirk Nordenstrom, Executive Director of CREATE48 Media Network. “Harbor Island Studios has the potential to serve both professional productions and the local creative community. Our goal is to provide practical, mission-driven stewardship during this next phase.”
CREATE48 Media Network looks forward to continued collaboration with the King County Executive’s Office, the King County Council, King County Facilities Managament Division, the King County Film Advisory Board, regional creative partners, and the broader film and media community as discussions move forward.
Contact
CREATE48 Media Network
Kirk Nordenstrom - Executive Director
Kris Flink - Director of Operations & Facility Manager
Phone
206-698-8562